The Dunghutti-Bungjalung Brothers fought off strong opposition to claim the Lismore Aboriginal Knockout on the weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The team was formed by Russell Lardner from the Dunghutti tribe and his good mate from Lismore Alwyn Roberts who is a part of the Bungjalung tribe.
The Dunghutti-Bungjalung side, led by captains Richie and Alwyn Roberts, survived five elimination matches to claim a 30-24 victory in a sea-sawing final against Cubawee.
The two sides exchanged tries throughout the decider but the Kempsey and Lismore side scored the match winner in the final five minutes.
Brothers coach Russell Lardner, who led the Macleay Valley Mustangs to premiership success last month, was confident his side had the ability to claim the knockout.
"I knew we had a really strong side and would be competitive but we went into the tournament as underdogs," Lardner told the Argus.
"Davis mob, who were also from Kempsey, were the talk of the carnival and no one gave us a chance even after we knocked them off.
"It was another great feeling to come away with the victory. It is my first aboriginal knockout win with a Kempsey side."
The Brothers had a tough draw to the final, as they faced off with Davis mob in round one, then held off Lismore Wanderers in a close round two battle before they took on the former NRL star Greg Inglis led Wall Street Warriors.
Dunghutti-Bungjalung then defeated the Tabulum Turtle Divers in the semi-final.
Lardner claims the Dunghutti and Bungjalung tribes have a strong connection.
"The other players in the team are like family, most have ties down to Kempsey as well," he said.
Lardner plans to form a side full of Kempsey players for the 2020 Koori Knockout.
"I aim to enter a side in the Koori Knockout next year. It takes a lot of time to get players together and I have started working on it," Lardner said.
Kempsey representatives in the side were Richie Roberts, Russell Lardner, Chris Piper, Tyler Roberts, Jesse Douglas, Conrad Lardner, Willy Lockwood, Tristan Scott, Stephan Blair, Richard Kennedy and Fletcher Strong.
Stay ahead with local news by signing up for the Macleay Argus newsletter here.
Also making the news:
