By Casey O'Connor
The Clive Berghofer Stadium was bursting with supporters by kick off time in the 2021 Hutchinson Builders TRL ‘A’ Grade Grand Final on Sunday.
The biggest grand final crowd in years witnessed an epic match between the Goondiwindi Boars and the Highfields Eagles but not before some cracking grand finals in the minor grades and some unfortunate off field fireworks.
I am sure the whole of Goondiwindi will still be celebrating their first Grand Final win in 16 years.
The game began at a cracking pace and was only minutes old when fullback David Armstrong, who has been one of the best players in the competition this season put Gundy’s first points on the board.
When Highfield’s captain Campbell Stewart scored soon after, it was evident that this was going to be a great game.
Some towering kicks early in the first half put Highfields under extreme pressure as the Boars played an almost flawless first half scoring the next three tries.
In a special moment in the game, David Armstrong soared high above the pack to pluck a David McGrady kick out of the air, twist and score almost simultaneously.
Highfields had few answers to the first half onslaught.
Gundy went to the break with a comfortable 26-8 lead on the back of three tries to Armstrong and one each to Glenn McGrady and Malcolm McGrady.
The second half was a different story.
Highfields lifted.
Jarred Lee scored midway through the half to narrow the margin to 26-14.
The experience and class of Boar’s Captain Travis Waddell showed as his defence defused plenty of try line opportunities for the Eagles.
Highfields Pat Templeman took the Eagles to within a converted try when he scored with 13 minutes remaining.
With nothing to lose and their first premiership in sight, Highfields threw everything at the Boars.
Although the Boars looked to be running on close to empty their defence stood solid.
Highfield’s supporters thought they had equalised just moments before full time only for the ball to be called forward on the last pass.
As the full-time siren sounded there were wild scenes as hundreds of Goondiwindi supporters flocked on to the field to congratulate their side and begin the grand final celebrations.
Gundy home 26-20
Despite not scoring a point in the second half Goondiwindi showed great resilience.
Their outstanding first half setup their premiership victory but, in the end, it never say die defence that got them over the line.
No one on the ground was surprised when David Armstrong was announced the winner of the John McDonald Medal for the player of the match.
Goondiwindi captain coach Travis Waddell and David McGrady were outstanding.
So near and yet so far for Highfields who could have done no more and left everything on the field.
It was an epic game, a worthy return for the TRL A Grade Grand Final.
Goondiwindi 26 (David Armstrong 3, Glenn McGrady, Malcolm McGrady tries Malcolm McGrady 3 goals) defeated Highfields 20 (Campbell Stewart, Tom Hatch, Jarred Lee, Pat Templeman tries, Pat Templeman 2goals).
