From Back, Left to Right – Isaiah Pulleine, Will White, Sam Sharman, Ben Piffero, Cadynn Smart, Riley Meale, Alex Brown, Toby Tanks, Michael Tanks (FAO), Josh Kostrubic (Coach), John Murray (Trainer). From Front, Left to Right – Jai Willoughby, Graham Neale, Reid McTavish, Sam Elphick, Brock Smith, Gus Smart, Archi Piffero, Ollie Hall, Ned Murray, Paul Bean, Ryan Peacey, Harry Boxsell, Tom Miller (Manager), Mitch Wakeford (Trainer). Front – Elijah VaaVale & Cooper Payne (Ball Boys).
The Cootamundra Bulldogs, a team that clawed its way to the grand final from a fourth-place finish, snatched a thrilling 26-22 victory against the previously undefeated Kangaroos in a dramatic Weissel Cup final. A stunning, last-minute try by Graham Neale sealed the win in a game where the Bulldogs’ early dominance was nearly erased by a ferocious Kangaroos comeback.
A Dream Start for the Underdogs
From the opening whistle, the Bulldogs looked like a team on a mission, playing with the kind of cohesion and determination that only an underdog fighting for survival possesses.
In the sixth minute, a well-orchestrated attack saw Ben Piffero burst through the Kangaroos’ defensive line to score near the posts. The successful conversion put Cootamundra ahead 6-0, a lead they had every intention of building upon. The Bulldogs’ momentum continued to build, and at the 19-minute mark, a moment of brilliance by their halfback set the stage for their next scoring play.
A perfectly executed 40-20 kick—a strategic play that pins the opponent deep in their own territory—put Cootamundra in an excellent attacking position. Capitalising on the field advantage, Isaiah Pulleine found his way over the try line, extending the Bulldogs’ lead. Just before halftime, the Bulldogs delivered another blow. With the clock winding down, five-eighth Harry Boxsell—who would later be named man of the match—crossed over to score. Although his conversion attempt fell short, the Bulldogs headed into the sheds with a commanding 16-0 lead, feeling confident that they were on their way to a historic victory.
The second half was a complete reversal of fortunes, a stark reminder of why the Kangaroos had been undefeated all season. They emerged from the locker room with a renewed intensity, their offence clicking into a high-octane gear that Cootamundra struggled to contain.
Within a matter of minutes, the Kangaroos had strung together a series of quick tries that stunned the Bulldogs and their supporters. Ben Thornton was the first to score, followed swiftly by Cody Plum.
Mason Mescia and Jack Walsh then each found the try line, and suddenly, in a breathtaking display of power and precision, the Kangaroos had not only erased the 16-point deficit but had also seized the lead at the 16-minute mark. With the score now 22-16 in their favour, the Kangaroos looked unstoppable, and the Bulldogs’ dream seemed to be fading with every passing minute.
The momentum had swung completely, and the home crowd was in a state of nervous disbelief.
The Thrilling Final Minutes
Cootamundra captain Ollie Hall admitted that at this point, the Bulldogs had to settle themselves.
They had to rely on the grit and mental fortitude that had carried them through their arduous playoff run. “We didn’t get worried as such; we just knew we had to regroup and then hit restart when they got up,” he recalled.
Their calmness paid off.
With eight minutes left on the clock, Cootamundra’s Ned Murray managed to fight his way over the line, levelling the score at 22-22 and injecting new life into the Cootamundra side.
The final few minutes of the game were a nail-biting, back-and-forth affair, with both teams desperately trying to find the winning play. It was then that a moment of improvisation from Jai Willoughby, the Bulldogs’ halfback, sealed their fate. With just under a minute remaining, the Bulldogs were in a good position and had planned to set up for a field goal.
Instead, Willoughby, seeing an opportunity, made an instinctive decision to send the ball wide. It was a risky call, a true “eyes up footy” moment, as Hall described it.
The gamble paid off brilliantly. The ball found its way to Graham Neale on the wing, who, in a breathtaking display of speed and agility, crossed over for the game-winning try. The final whistle blew, and the Cootamundra Bulldogs, against all odds, had clinched the Weissel Cup.
The final score: Cootamundra 26, Kangaroos 22.
A Sweet Victory for the Town
For Cootamundra captain Ollie Hall, the victory was “surreal” and the “best feeling ever.”
He credited the team’s resilience and their ability to stay “together and stick to the process” when they fell behind. This championship was more than just a win; it was a triumphant return to form for the club, which was playing its first season back in Group Nine. Hall was quick to praise the unwavering support of the Cootamundra community. “It’s massive for the club,” he said.
“In our first year back, to do it for all the people that have put in so much hard work, to repay them for that is so good.”
The win was a testament to the Bulldogs’ entire season, which saw them battle their way to the grand final from the challenging position of fourth place. It was a story of a team that refused to quit, fighting until the very last second. While the whole team played a part, the man of the match award was a well-deserved recognition for the outstanding performance of Harry Boxsell.
Hall was full of praise for his five-eighth, noting that Boxsell had grown in confidence throughout the season. “He’s a big body for a five-eighth, so he’s a really good running half; his confidence has really lifted too, which has been good for him,” Hall said. “He’s really been a star in our team.”
Boxsell himself was modest about his performance, choosing instead to focus on the team’s victory. He admitted that the Kangaroos had put them under immense pressure in the second half, but was proud of his team’s ability to keep fighting.
“We kept going and we got a couple of late tries,” he said. “We haven’t had a win for Coota seniors in a long time; that was our only goal today, to get the win for the club and the town.”
The win marked a defining moment for the club and the town, proving that with heart, teamwork, and a little bit of “eyes up footy,” anything is possible. It was a story of an underdog rising to the occasion and claiming a championship against an undefeated foe, a victory that will be remembered for years to come.
– Tully Potts
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