After an emotional season, the Young Yabbies bowed out in the first round of the finals with a tough 42-7 loss to the Cootamundra Tri Colours, ending the Dynasty that had reigned for three consecutive seasons.
Despite a spirited performance, the Yabbies ultimately fell to a much larger opposition at Cranfield Oval. The Yabbies’ lone try came courtesy of Sione Fifita, with Liam Miller adding the conversion. While the scoreboard told a one-sided story, the players gave everything they had, especially on the wings, where the Tri Colours’ superior size repeatedly exposed their defence.
“We set out to fight for every inch, and our lads did exactly that,” said Coach Will Munday after the match. “I couldn’t be prouder of their effort. We were up against a bigger team and they got the upper hand in the physical contests, but our boys kept coming.”
Earlier in the season, the Yabbies had stunned the Tri Colours with a gritty 30-22 win that secured their fourth-place finish and earned them a ticket to the finals. That win had sparked hope around Young, offering a glimpse of what the team could achieve when firing on all cylinders.
“We showed what we’re capable of,” Coach Munday recalled. “There were moments in that game when we looked sharp, connected, and fearless. It gave us belief heading into the finals.” However, Cootamundra responded with vengeance. Their relentless pressure and overpowering physicality on the wings repeatedly shattered the Yabbies’ defensive shape.
“They came out with a target on their backs and came to make a statement,” Munday said. “Credit to them, they executed their game plan. For us, it’s back to the drawing board for the season to come.”
Despite the result, Munday praised his side’s composure and competitive spirit. “It would have been easy to fold when the score blew out,” he noted. “But even when the going got tough, we looked sharp in patches, created opportunities, and stood our ground. Those are the small wins we’ll build on.”
A major positive from the season was the way the team grew. Even with injuries and disruptions cropping up mid-season, they rallied. “It wasn’t all smooth sailing,” Munday admitted. “Injuries, form dips, combos not clicking, it was a challenge. But we’ve ended the year with heads held high because this group never stopped fighting.”
Looking ahead, Munday already has his sights set on next year. “This group is hungry. They know what finals footy looks and feels like now. We’ll get stronger, more consistent, and a bit more physical too.”
As for the weekend’s crowd, the Yabbies had genuine support right down to the final whistle. “The local turnout was fantastic. It’s been one of the great joys of this season’s feel-good footy in a great community,” Munday reflected. While this season ends earlier than they had hoped, the Yabbies leave knowing they possess heart and that their contests mattered. For the Yabbies, the road stops here for now.
– Liam Stuart
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