It may not have produced the minor premiership they sought but Saturday afternoon provided more success than simply a confidence-boosting last-minute win for South Newcastle at Townson Oval.
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As club secretary David Fleming said – “it was the perfect storm”.
The thrilling final round fixture, won by the Lions 24-22 with a spectacular converted try on the bell, secured Souths their first club championship since 1964, a home qualifying semi-final against third placed Western Suburbs this Sunday and two individual Newcastle Rugby League honours.
And all in front more than 1000 Merewether faithful on Sleapy’s Day, the annual charity fundraiser organised by one of the club’s favourite sons which saw $75,000 presented to beneficiaries that evening.
It was one to remember for the boys in red and white on what Fleming described as a “very emotional night” .
In particular the 52-season drought-breaking club championship triumph.
On the last Saturday of the regular season Souths (137) jumped from fourth to first on the overall standings courtesy of a clean sweep in four grades against Macquarie (126) and assisted by Lakes (134) defeating five-time defending title holders Wests (135) in three matches at Cahill Oval.
“It was an awesome effort,” Lions mentor Todd Hurrell said.
“They were saying back at the club it had been 60-odd years since we’ve won the club championship and as head coach it’s your goal to get that club championship.
“I’m very proud of all the players and coaching staff … and for the older guys at the club, I think one of them almost fell off his chair when he added up the points and [Newcastle RL chief executive officer] Matt Harris confirmed it.”
From a team perspective, most pleasing for Hurrell was coming back against the Scorpions after being down 20-8 with 25 minutes left and seeing replacement Jarrad Edwards fly high to field a cross-field kick from halfback Rex Johnson.
“We didn’t give up,” Hurrell said.
“A bit of luck went our way, but you’ve got to put yourself in the position to score those tries.”
On the individual front Lions winger Jarrod Flanagan finished with a competition high 14 tries, including his last an impressive solo effort managing to stay inside the far touchline under pressure.
Newcastle representative five-eighth Willie Heta made it a Souths double scoring the most points for 2016 with a total of 138, featuring his 53rd and most important goal to break the deadlock and continue an unbeaten streak of seven matches.
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS: Souths (8) – 1941, 1942, 1943, 1945, 1946, 1963, 1964, 2016.
