Not even former Broncos stars Sam Thaiday, Josh Hoffman or Korbin Sims lining up for Wests Arana Hills Panthers, could stop the Burpengary Jets from hoisting the Rugby League Brisbane Open 1 premiership trophy at Emerson Park.
The Jets, who won the grand final 24-18, had claimed the minor premiership and gone through the season undefeated, boasting their own handful of former NRL and Hostplus Cup talent including Liam Georgetown, Chris Aiton and Luke Capewell.
The looming Riverfire in Brisbane was definitely an omen for Burpengary, with jets soaring above the ground as the players ran out onto the field, giving it that special touch.
However, it would be the Panthers to post first points of the afternoon in the tenth minute through former New Zealand international Josh Hoffman, who chimed into the West Arana Hills backline from fullback, to slide his way over the line.
In what was a no holds barred first 20 minutes, both sides bone rattling defence saw many players left bruised and battered from the carnage that followed.
The Jets were next to score through some slick hands along their backline that found winger Nathan Tunufai.
The speedster had some work to do before touching down inches from the sideline to get Burpengary on the board.
Man of the match Luke Capewell had the ball on a string in this game and his NRL experience shone through.
A beautiful pass to send Jonathon Fatamai crashing his way over to score beside the sticks was poetry in motion.
Panthers forwards Thaiday and Korbin Sims certainly made their presence known in the defensive department and a series of bone crunching tackles certainly rattled a few of the Jets cages.
However, Capewell’s vision and ability to turn a game on its head certainly took centre stage with the Jets next try.
A superb step and chip over the top of fullback Hoffman found Liam Georgetown in support and the former Redcliffe Dolphins gun regathered the ball to score what was the try of the match in the 30th minute.
But just as the Panthers looked like making a heroic comeback through their dynamic hooker in Jack Walters - son of Broncos coach Kevin - a dropped ball ensued a scrum 30m out from the Panthers line.
The next set saw Jets hooker Chris Aiton slip a neat pass to Capewell and it was only fitting the best player on the park was rewarded with a meat pie to go into the sheds leading 18-6.
With Arana Hills regrouping after the break, veteran Thaiday got the Panthers back in the game when he threw a short pass to second rower Callum Stewart, who crashed over out wide.
Not three minutes later, Hoffman (pictured above) made a dazzling midfield break and he was able to draw the Jets fullback and find Connor Claridge in support, who crossed beside the posts to level it all up at 18-18.
But the best was yet to come for the Jets supporters.
With only a minute left on the clock, fullback Inga Limoni’s 70m intercept try had everybody out of their seats and cheering him on.
The flashy fullback raced away untouched to score under the black dot and see Burpengary clinch victory in what was a fantastic finish to an epic grand final.
In the under 19s grand final, Brighton Roosters' Tyler Wilshere starred in his team’s 28-24 victory over Samford Stags that saw the brilliant halfback bag a try and kick four goals in oppressive heat, taking the trophy back to Jim Lawrie Oval.
In the Open 3 North grand final, a penalty goal in extra time saw Burpengary Jets take the spoils 30-28, in what was an incredible finish to an entertaining game.
Jets captain Anthony Brown was phenomenal for his side, whilst the Kangaroos' Viki Nati paved the way for North Lakes to get oh so close.
In the Open 2 North grand Final, having trailed the entire match, Moreton Bay Raiders hero Luke Sketchley scored on the bell to win 24-18 and snatch victory away from Brisbane Natives in what was a pulsating end to a great game of rugby league.
Down at Logan Metro Sports Complex, Greenbank Raiders took home the Open 3 South title with a 24-22 win over Brothers St Brendan's, while Souths Sunnybank cruised to a 44-10 victory over Forest Lake in the Open 2 South decider on the back of a hat-trick to Zachery Masterson.
Main image: Sam Thaiday hits it up into former Brisbane Broncos teammate Luke Capewell.
