Redcliffe hooker Hayden Hansen summed it up when he said “the real winner there was rugby league”.
In what was a thrilling grand final, the Redcliffe Dolphins claimed the premiership by beating the defending premiers the Ipswich Jets in an extra time thriller winning 31-30.
Redcliffe five-eighth John Brady was the man of the moment when he got his side over the line by kicking a spectacular field goal at the very end of extra time.
The Dolphins started the game with great defence and had the Jets on the back foot early, however, the Jets were the defending premiers for a reason.
Displaying some typical Jets-style of play, fullback Isi Hafoka found some of the Redcliffe players napping and was able to get over just three minutes into the first half.
The Dolphins had a big reply back to the Jets, with Hansen, winger Paul Byrnes and backrow pair Agassi Stowers and Nick Ritter all going over to bring the score 22-6.
With just four minutes remaining in the first half, Jets five-eighth Mikaere Beattie narrowed the margin and his side went into the sheds trailing 22-12.
Having enjoyed a dominant first half, the Dolphins creating a lead, the fans knew there was another 40 minutes of footy left and the season these two sides have had it was going to be something spectacular.
The second half was even more entertaining than the first, with the Jet fighting back hard to get back into the game.
However, Dolphins first extended their lead to 30-18 with man of the match Tyson Gamble and Glen Ellis both going over for four pointers.
The Jets fans tireless cheering throughout the match was rewarded when their side started to work their way back in to the contest.
Their side did lift and the Jets hunted down the margin bring the scores level at 30-30 at the end of regular play, pushing the season of both teams out for another 10 minutes.
Nervous fans watched a scoreless first five minutes, but as the clock ran down and with only seconds remaining – it was the Dolphins that walked away as the premiers.
These two sides both had fantastic seasons and produced some great football to into the decider. They played a grand final to remember and capped a great season in the BRL competition.
2016 BRL ‘A’ Grade - grand final results
Saturday, September 17
Grand Final
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 31 (Glen Ellis, Paul Byrnes, Tyson Gamble, Hayden Hansen, Agassi Stowers, Nick Ritter tries; Kyle van Klaveren 3 goals; John Brady field goal) def IPSWICH JETS 30 (Isi Hafoka, Francis Leger, Mikaere Beattie, Peter Whittaker, Jackson Tynan tries; Mikaere Beattie 5 goals) at Bishop Park (Extra Time).
Player of the Final: Tyson Gamble (Redcliffe Dolphins)
BRL A Grade 2016 award winners
Top Try Scorer: Marlon Doak (Gaters)
Top Points Scorer: Tyson Brookes (WM Redland City)
Coach of the Year: Wayne Weekes (West Brisbane Panthers)
Player of the Year: Marlon Doak (Gaters)
More...
Gallery: BRL Grand Final
