BY KERROD HOLLAND
Reflecting back to Sunday September 7 Grand Final Day, the conditions were perfect. A bluebird sky, 5,000 fans in full roar, and one fairytale waiting to be written. The Singleton Greyhounds didn’t just win, we swept the board, 18s, Reggie’s, and First Grade. History was made.
Singleton has hosted three Grand finals at Pirtek Park dating back to 2008, with all three grades playing on those days as well. Singleton is now 9-0 in Grand Finals when playing at home, Unreal.
For me? That was my last dance.
After 28 years of lacing up the boots, I walked off that field for the final time, at home, arm-in-arm with my three kids, on Father’s Day. Special, with a tear in my eye. I have played in front of thousands of footy fans and pulled on the Bulldogs jersey, but nothing touches that Grand Final day. It’s a close third, up there with my wedding day and the births of our children.
The Game? WOW were we nervous!
We were down 12-nil in 10 minutes. Shaky as a surfer when a dark figure swims underneath; ugly, jittery, dropped the ball, misreads, we felt the weight. Two earlier grades had already lifted trophies, and suddenly we weren’t just playing for a win, we were playing for the Singleton dream, a clean sweep.
Then the moment that changed everything, Greta’s Billy Mitchell sent off for a headbutt. Now, I’ve seen a few brain snaps in my day, and I’ll say this: I didn’t think it warranted the send-off. But Grand Finals don’t do grey areas. It’s black and white and rules are rules. That left Greta with 12 men… and a mountain to climb.
Funny thing is, they almost did it.
Credit where it’s due, Greta was gutsy. Wounded, without players, but not broken and they swung till the final bell. It reminded me of Singleton in 2008, down a man all game and still walked off winners. But on this day, it was us who finished the job.
Then… Blake Andrews, our skipper, was calm in the chaos. Best on ground, easy (maybe our 6 went alright too). Blakey settled us like a captain should and dragged us back into the fight to lead at halftime. After that I felt comfortable, like we were never in doubt, and we wouldn’t have been if I could kick a goal! 2/7 on the day, yuck!
Let’s not forget the bigger picture. Merriwa’s women winning in the Ladies Tackle. Our under-18s rolled Aberdeen. Reggies got it done over Murrurundi. Triple threat. Greyhounds howling 3 nil until Wednesday. Sorry Todd for the calls on Monday, they were a little cheeky.
So now what?
Now, we back the NRL finals. We rest the body, but not the love. Because next April, Group 21 Rugby League returns and the Greyhounds will be there hungrier than ever because the only thing better than a win is Back-to-Back!
