Betoota Dolphins 4th Grade Captain Reminds Team Ahead Of Tomorrow's Grand Final That This Is What They've Been Working Towards All Season

ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact

In a little over 24 hours time, 20 men have their date with destiny.

It has been a long, challenging season for the Betoota Dolphins 4th Grade team. The finished mid-table, they haven't lifted when they needed to lift. However, they did lift and give 110 percent at the moments that demanded nothing less.

From a qualifying final last month, to the quarters, semis and now tomorrow, they have their chance to win one of the Channel Country Rugby League's greatest crowns.

Last night down sheds at Remienko Oval, 4th grade captain Bevan Leigh took his boys through a very light session. Not much contact, just keeping the blood moving through the muscles, keeping the mind quick. There were moments of joy. They let the front rowers practice their drop goals. The hooker, Paul, took his first ever kick at goal. He's a 37-year-old tax accountant.

But in this vignettes of levity, Bevan was quick to remind them of the mountain yet to climb.

"Boys," he said.

He stood in the middle of the change rooms as the team got back in their civvies.

"This is what we've been working towards all season. The grand final. At the end of the day, it's a game of two halves and we need to win both of those halves. We'll do that by being fitter, stronger and faster. If we fitter, stronger and faster than the Windorah Willy Willys, we will win. It's as simple as that."

The coach nodded along in support.

"We will be in the trenches tomorrow. We will execute our gameplan, we'll leave nothing on the field. Mashallah, we will win, lads."

The statement was backed up by a few hand claps and a handful of whoops.

More to come.