Statewide score wrap: Stalwart skipper ends a winner as Brethren snare Ipswich 'grand slam'

Author: Jacob Grams QRL community content producer
Timestamp: Mon 16 Sep 2024, 11:20 AM

Brothers Ipswich took home the premiership 'grand slam' on Sunday after the top grade side held off a charging Redbank Plains Bears to claim to Ipswich Jets A Grade Cup in a seesawing match 40-24.

Redbank Plains had the early running, camping themselves near the Brothers' try line, and they broke through in the 6th minute through winger Alec Leota, which Khan Towler converted to make it 6-0.

The Brethren found their composure and took advantage of their first real chance in the Bears' half through a high kick from 40m out that was allowed to bounce, was regathered by the chasers and eventually found centre Tyrone Opelu in support to extend out his arm to plant the ball on the line in the 11th minute.

Brothers then gained the momentum as ill-discipline crept in from the opposition and crossed again in the 16th minute, when halfback Taj Hinton slipped a sneaky short pass to fullback Deijion Leugaimafa for him to stretch out and score in a carbon copy of Opelu's finish minutes earlier, giving his side an 8-6 lead.

Redbank Plains fans were up a few minutes later when it a cutout from skipper Ono Sooialo appeared to have put Leota over for his second, but the winger put a foot into touch.

Brothers' Deijion Leugaimafa reaches out to score his team's second try. Photo: Bruce Clayton Photography

Redbank Plains looked set to go ahead when second rower Misi Sikei found open space, took on the fullback, and attempted a flick pass offload which Brothers centre Harry Douglas snared before running away 50 metres downfield.

Three tackles later they were right on the Bears line and a show-and-go was all it took for Taj Hinton to slide through in the 33rd minute for a try of his own, which he converted from right in front to make it 14-6.

It got even better for the Brethren just before half-time when off a scrum following a rare Sooialo error 40 metres out from his own line, Hinton swung around on a run-around play and passed off to Opelu, who broke through two tackles and carried one would-be defender over to score.

The 18-6 half-time scoreline didn't stay that way for long on the resumption.

The Bears managed to secure the ball with a surprise short kick-off and Sooialo was tackled just short of the try line, before a few plays later hooker Jayden Elder found Teejay Siakisini to score, and the conversion brought it back to a six-point margin.

In the next set, Sam Sauaso crashed over under the sticks and the game was all square with 35 minutes remaining.

Redbank Plains threw everything at Brothers in their fightback. Photo: Bruce Clayton Photography

Redbank Plains was simply all over Brothers, earning another penalty coming out of yardage, and they appeared to score soon after through City selection Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga, but it was instead a penalty to Brothers.

It proved a sliding doors moment as the Brethren marched up the other end and crossed through winger Eli Teariki in the 48th minute; Hinton - having seemingly snuck in goalkicking practice at half time - converting from the sideline.

The Bears were back in the 59th minute when hulking second rower James Atonio strolled over adjacent the posts, allowing Towler to lock it up again with the conversion.

The to-and-fro continued in the 69th minute when Teariki had his second, diving on a grubber from five-eighth Zane Kaatz to score. Once again Hinton put it through the posts for a crucial six-point lead.

Bears skipper Sooialo put the kick-off over the sideline on the full to hand Brothers attacking field position and they took it with both hands when Kaatz orchestrated a play to send left centre Harry Douglas over the line; Hinton converting to make it a 12-point lead with six minutes to play.

It paved the way for a just-about-fairytale finish in more ways than one for a couple of old heads - hooker Shane Gibson icing it for the Brethren with a try under the black dot. Beloved prop Matthew Bell was given the kick at goal - his toe poke effort went dribbling along the ground.

The retiring stalwart - who was "roped in for one more year" in 2024 - laughed off the gaffe post-game, simply proud of his side for hanging tough and getting it done.

"It's unbelievable to finish on a high. I've been playing football for 27, 28 years and to go out an A grade premiership winner is a kid's dream," Bell said.

"It's not just about me retiring, it's about all 17 boys who played today. We all stood up, played for each other and that's what the club is all about.

"We spoke about it before the game we had to stay in the grind and that's what we did, to their credit the boys stood up and the Redbank boys just kept coming."

The half-time instructions to stay calm and patient worked to settle the side after the Bears onslaught to level the scores.

"For years I've been playing football, Redbank has always done that. You give them an inch, they'll take a mile and you've got to stop it, and we did," Bell said.

It comes as no surprise he will put his hand up to support the club in any capacity next year, especially on the back of being highlighted for his off-field exploits with the Outstanding Contribution to Rugby League in Ipswich award this year.

Bell and wife Kailah, a committee member at the club, were the driving force of gaining local business and community support fundraising for the club's Mental Health Awareness Round this year - the big man particularly pushing raffle ticket sales among the playing group in the lead-up.

Brothers after winning their Mental Health Awareness Round A grade match with Norths.

The efforts raised $6500, wildly exceeding Brothers' expectations, with the proceeding going to TIACS, a mental health counselling service for blue-collar workers.

"If you don't put in and help out like that, the football club doesn't survive. My dad was the president, and this just comes through that, always down at football, lending a hand," Bell said.

"It's just helping out, it's what I like doing, getting behind the club I love.

"I'll stick around next year, don't know what I'll do, might assistant coach, might run water, but I'll still be around the boys."

Brothers' premiership winning reserve grade team. Photo: Bruce Clayton Photography

One player taking inspiration from the likes of Bell and Gibson this year - who have established the longstanding culture at Brothers - was player of the match Deijion Leugaimafa.

It has been a whirlwind 12 months for the young fullback, who ended a stint with the South Sydney Rabbitohs pathways teams last year not intending to play footy again.

Leugaimafa got itchy feet when he heard about a pre-season touch tournament at the club and when he got there, he "loved the group as soon as I met them".

The 22-year-old has gone on to win the premiership, represent Ipswich Diggers and gain selection in the City team for the XXXX City v Country at Kayo Stadium on Sunday, September 22.

"It's really special. Obviously this is my first year, first ever grand final together and I'll hold that with me forever," he said.

"Belly and Gibson played their last games today, so it was obviously an emotional one for the club as a whole and it was real good to get the win for them.

"It has been a full-on year, I didn't expect to get the rewards I'm reaping now."

After surviving a "very physical game" he said he was looking forward to joining forces with Bears danger man and Diggers teammates Ono Sooialo once again for City.

Brothers premiership winning Volunteers Cup C grade team. Photo: Bruce Clayton Photography

"I'm looking forward to that weekend. Not many opportunities like that come around, so I'm just going to take it and go forward with it," Leugaimafa said.

"I'm real excited, real keen, can't wait."

Earlier, Brothers' reserve grade team skipped away late to record a 24-18 win to the cheers of the southern hill, while Brothers also took out the Volunteers Cup C grade premiership 16-8 over Springfield Panthers.

The club also took out the premiership in under 18s last Sunday, to complete an epic clean sweep.

Secure your seat to catch Leugaimafa, Sooialo and Bears centre Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga in action at Kayo Stadium this Sunday for the XXXX City v Country matches as part of QRL Grand Final Day, presented by Ford.

Main image: Matthew Bell holds the trophy as Brothers celebrate their Ipswich Jets A Grade Cup title. Photo: Bruce Clayton Photography