Roma grand final day was a cracker.
It was, again, a huge day on the Outback calendar, which started with what could be described as the best grand final in recent memory in the Outback with the Under 16 game between St George and Roma Cities.
It was not only the fact that the game needed to go into extra time and was only won 26-22 in the last couple of minutes by St George, but it was the quality of the football on display by two very talented teams.
Credit must go to the two coaches in St George coach Chris Bella and Cities coach Alex Coonan and their coaching staff.
With these players continuing on, the future and quality of Outback Rugby League is in safe hands.
The Under 18 game between a very talented Red Bulls team ran out comfortable winners 48-14 over a brave St George, who never stopped trying.
The Reserve Grade game was another thriller between Taroom Wandoan Battlers and Cities, with Cities fighting back to take the lead midway through the second half before the Battlers came back to take the game 32-20 to win their second consecutive grand final.
This would have made it a very enjoyable trip home on the buses for the large number of supporters who travelled to watch their home team.
Then it was time for the A Grade game between Cities and Mitchell Magpies with expectations high for the Cities supporters as their team had not lost a game since Round 1 in 2021.
Cities came out fast and scored in the opening minutes but Mitchell soon got their game together and the scores remained close until the final 20 minutes when Cities put on a number of tries to run out 2022 premiers, 36-10.
It was one of the best crowds for many years with supporters from five of the eight clubs in the competition making it to a grand final and at the end of the day, four different clubs came out winners.
Player of the year awards were also presented in all grades.
Player of the year awards
Under 16s
Amdes Saunders - St George
Under 18s
Matt York - Red Bulls
Reserve Grade
Jimmy Conway - Taroom
A Grade
Billy Coonan - Roma Cities
A big thank you to Roma and District Rugby League for running another perfect grand final day.
