UPDATE: In a nail-biting finish, Collingullie-Wagga clinched the Riverina League grand final with a dramatic 67-62 victory over Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong, securing back-to-back premierships. The match, held on July 15, 2023, saw the Demons withstand an intense second-half surge from the Lions.
Collingullie-Wagga dominated early, leading by as much as 30 points before the Lions rallied back, with Aaron Proctor kicking his third goal of the match at the 13-minute mark of the final quarter, giving Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong a brief lead. The tension in the stadium escalated as the Demons faced the prospect of losing their grip on the championship.
With time running out, Sam Stening emerged as the hero, scoring his fifth goal to reclaim the lead for Collingullie-Wagga, just moments before the end. Stening’s stellar performance earned him the prestigious Hutchins Medal for best-on-ground.
Demons co-coach Shane Lenon expressed his nerves during the final minutes, stating, “My heart was going a million miles an hour.” He praised the team’s resilience, particularly highlighting the crucial tackle by 16-year-old Joe Stone in the dying seconds, which helped secure their victory.
The first half saw Collingullie-Wagga on fire, netting seven goals to establish a significant lead, while the Lions struggled with their accuracy, ending the second quarter with 1.10 on the board. Lenon noted the importance of converting opportunities, saying, “We kicked six goals straight before we kicked a behind.”
As the second half unfolded, the Lions came back strong, closing the gap to just 10 points in the third quarter. However, Collingullie-Wagga responded with key goals from Stening and Tom Howard, pushing their lead back to a comfortable margin—until the Lions struck again, narrowing the score to just a point.
The final moments were tense, with both teams exchanging leads. The Demons’ triumph left Lenon ecstatic, claiming this victory might even surpass last year’s win by just six points. “It was a brilliant win,” he stated. “These are the best wins to be a part of, when you’ve got to scratch and bite and earn everything that comes your way.”
Collingullie-Wagga’s final score of 10.7 (67) to Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong’s 8.14 (62) reflects a match filled with tension and skill, ultimately showcasing the team’s hard work over the past nine months. Lenon concluded, “Footy usually gives you what you deserve, and these blokes deserve everything that comes their way.”
As celebrations begin for the Demons, fans are already looking forward to next season, eager to see if Collingullie-Wagga can continue their winning streak.
