Statewide score wrap: Bears farewell legendary coach with back-to-back titles

Clermont Bears have once again taken down Dysart Bulls on enemy turf to claim the Central Highlands A grade title with a 42-14 grand final win.

There was little between the sides in the first half as the Bulls jumped out of the gates as their namesake would suggest, before Clermont ground their way back into the contest and to a 16-14 lead at the break.

But it was all Bears from there as Dysart ran out of legs, much to the cheers of the hearty crew who made the trip from Clermont to witness the back-to-back success.

This one was special in a number of ways, not only sending Justin Barrett out with his sixth premiership as coach before he hangs up the clipboard, but affirming the brotherhood that has seen newcomers to the region made to feel right at home through footy.

Barrett hailed all 19 players for dominating in their roles on the day, particularly highlighting five-eighth David Boyes, who scored a double, halfback Brodee Barrett, hooker and player of the match Jack Nelson, prop Dalton Smith and backrower Connor Clement.

"We were quietly confident. We made way too many mistakes in the major semi-final. We reviewed the tape and had a look at it and just knew if we completed our sets, kicked to the corners and didn't make any mistakes, we were a good chance at it," he said.

Barrett said the fairytale finish was a good way to go, with a move to the Sunshine Coast on the cards.

"That's it for me. No more coaching. All over, red rover," he said.

"I've coached them for nine seasons, so I've just got to give a bit of time back to the family now.

"I've won six grand finals with them (2004, '06, '07, '13, '22, '23), two runners-up (2012, '15) and a wooden spoon ('05).

"I just hope I installed all our values and somebody else can move in and do the same thing.

"Some of these guys in this team that I've got now, I've coached them in junior footy as well, so it's pretty rewarding to be here and go through this with them."

For fullback Bo Gibson, the brotherhood developed over back-to-back successful years has meant the world, with the latest triumph taking a while to sink in.

As well as being able to celebrate with his teammates, Gibson got the surprise of his life when he learnt his best mates Range and Adem made the trip from Bribie Island to support him.

"We've been saying it all year how good it would be to go back-to-back and it's just even sweeter that it was just a repeat of what happened last year," he said.

"We couldn't get them all year and then we verse them at home in the game that counts and you just pinch yourself when you get home when the game's over.

"It doesn't even feel real until the next day when you're thinking about it and you're like: 'Oh, we actually did it again'."

Gibson signed up to Clermont for the 2022 season after taking up a teaching job, six years removed from the last game of rugby league he played in under 16s at Bribie Island Warrigals.

"I thought I'll join the club, I'll play out here just for the social thing just to meet a few boys and that and ended up just getting back into the groove with it," he said.

"Moving away from everyone back home and coming out to a small rural town, if I wasn't part of the club here, I don't think I would have lasted out here to be honest.

"It's just been awesome.

"It's a brotherhood and it's a family.

"It makes it feel like home now out here because of this club."

QRL Central region

Bundaberg Broadcasters Men's A grade

Grand final

Past Brothers 18 def Wests Panthers 6

Emerald Industrial Supplies Central Highlands Men's A grade

Grand final

Clermont Bears 42 def Dysart Bulls 14

Roma District Rugby League

Grand final

Mitchell Magpies 18 def Wallumbilla/Surat Red Bulls 12

Wide Bay Open Women

Grand final

Wondai-Proston Wolves 24 def Fraser Coast Crushers 14

South Burnett Ken Mills Isuzu Men's A grade

Preliminary final

Cherbourg Hornets 50 def Murgon Mustangs 42

Next week: Grand final - Kingaroy Red Ants v Cherbourg Hornets

Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League Men's A grade

Qualifying final

Beerwah Bulldogs 28 def Kawana Dolphins 18

Elimination final

Maroochydore Swans 28 def Noosa Pirates 24

Next week: Preliminary final - Kawana Dolphins v Maroochydore Swans

Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League Open Women

Qualifying final

Caboolture Snakes 18 def Kawana Dolphins 10

Elimination final

Caloundra Sharks 32 def Beerwah Bulldogs 10

Next week: Preliminary final - Kawana Dolphins v Caloundra Sharks

Hutchison Builders Toowoomba Rugby League Men's A grade

Qualifying final

Dalby Diehards 18 def Gatton Hawks 14

Elimination final

Warwick Cowboys 26 def Wattles Warriors 20

Toowoomba Sports Club Women's A grade

Round 19 results

Oakey Bears 16 def Newtown Lions 10

Highfields Eagles 28 def Dalby Diehards 8

Ladder

Border Rugby League Men's 2023

Preliminary final

Texas Terriers 44 def Tenterfield Tigers 12

Next week: Grand final - Inglewood Roosters v Texas Terriers

QRL North region

FNQRL Men's A grade

Major semi-final

Innisfail Leprechauns 33 def Ivanhoes Knights 14

Minor semi-final

Cairns Brothers 22 def Cairns Kangaroos 18

Next week: Preliminary final - Ivanhoes Knights v Cairns Brothers

Rugby League Townsville District Men's A grade

Qualifying final

Brothers Townsville 34 def Charters Towers Miners 10

Elimination final

Souths Bulls 44 def Centrals Tigers 26

Next week: Preliminary final - Charters Towers Miners v Souths Bulls

Rugby League Townsville District Open Women

Qualifying final

Western Lions 32 def Burdekin Roosters 0

Elimination final 

Centrals Tigers 22 def Brothers Townsville 18

Next week: Preliminary final - Burdekin Roosters v Centrals Tigers

Rugby League Mackay & District NQBE Men's A grade

Preliminary final

Mackay Brothers 24 def Sarina Crocodiles 16

Next week: Grand final - Mackay Magpies v Mackay Brothers

Mackay Airport Women's A grade

Preliminary final

Mackay Brothers 10 def Mackay Magpies 8

Next week: Grand final - Moranbah Miners v Mackay Brothers

Brisbane Rugby League Premier A grade

Major semi-final

Bulimba Bulldogs 32 def Wynnum Manly Juniors 20

Minor semi-final

West Brisbane Panthers 19 def Brighton Roosters 18

Next week: Preliminary final - Wynnum Manly Juniors v West Brisbane Panthers

Rugby League Gold Coast A grade

Major semi-final

Southport Tigers 40 def Currumbin Eagles 10

Minor semi-final

Tugun Seahawks 20 def Burleigh Bears 8

Next week: Preliminary final - Currumbin Eagles v Tugun Seahawks

Ipswich Jets A Grade Cup

Qualifying final

Redbank Plains Bears 30 def Fassifern Bombers 26

Elimination final

Swifts Bluebirds 32 def Brothers Ipswich 16

Next week: Preliminary final - Fassifern Bombers v Swifts Bluebirds