BREAKING: In a devastating turn of events, the Kangaroos have plunged into Group Nine history following a 10-6 loss to Gundagai in the grand final held at Equex Centre on July 30, 2023. This marks the first time in 36 years that a team has lost three consecutive grand finals, putting a damper on their hopes to end a 16-year premiership drought.
Despite entering the match as strong contenders, the Kangaroos were unable to secure a crucial second try after a scoreless final 60 minutes. Captain-coach Nathan Rose expressed his disappointment, attributing the loss to early mistakes that allowed Gundagai to capitalize with two quick tries. “We just got off to a slow start with two drop balls,” Rose said. “They capitalised with two tries, and it was the difference in the scoreboard at the end of the day.”
This heartbreaking defeat follows a promising season where the Kangaroos emerged as clear front runners, boasting only one loss before the grand final. Rose’s team had previously defeated Gundagai in the major semi-final, heightening expectations for a successful title run.
Reflecting on the loss, Rose lamented, “It’s always disappointing when you go down in a grand final. This time, we were in a much better spot as a team and a club, but we just fell short after a couple of errors.” The Kangaroos trailed Gundagai for 76 minutes, struggling to find the end zone despite multiple near-misses, including two players being held up just short of the line.
“There was a lot of opportunities there for us but we just couldn’t get it done at the end,” Rose added.
As the Kangaroos faced disappointment on the field, their unbeaten under-18 side also suffered a late loss in their grand final, while the reserve grade managed to secure an extra-time victory over Albury. The emotional toll of the day weighed heavy on the Kangaroos’ squad, with Rose indicating mixed feelings about his future with the team. “I haven’t even thought about next year,” he said, focusing on the immediate aftermath instead.
With the grand final concluded, the Kangaroos’ quest for redemption will now shift to next season. Fans are left wondering how the team will regroup after this historic setback. The significance of this loss resonates not just within the club but across the community, as supporters grapple with the lingering disappointment.
As the dust settles, all eyes will be on Nathan Rose and the Kangaroos to see how they bounce back from this heart-wrenching defeat. Will they rise to reclaim their former glory next season? Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
