Recap

Photos courtesy Peter Oliver Imagery.

Tuggeranong too good in Dirty Twos final season match

By Chris Gordon

A well drilled Tuggeranong Vikings side proved far too good for Goulburn in the Dirty Twos final match of 2024.

The assignment for the Vikings in this grade was similar to that in first grade… they were playing for a semi final spot… and a few premier division players were dropped back (quite legally) to help ensure that.

And the Vikings certainly showed their intent. The first half was a showcase for Tuggeranong’s sweeping backline moves with the first half tries resulting from slick passing and strong finishing, and Tuggeranong went to the break with a 24-0 lead.

Five minutes into the second half Harry Newby crossed for Goulburn’s first try, converted by Pat Craig, and two more Tuggeranong tries later, Jack White crossed, again converted by Pat Craig. While not at all diminishing Tuggeranong’s deserved win and dominance, Goulburn’s second half tries, while down a man for upwards of 30 minutes, was once again testimony to the Dirty Twos never say die attitude.

This is a difficult match to write up, so I’ll stick to stats instead of opinions.

Four cards, three yellows and a red, were issued against Goulburn. None against Tuggeranong. This was a record this year (and maybe a club all-time record) for most cards in a game against Goulburn. The only other game this year where more than one card was issued against Goulburn was in round five. Also against Tuggeranong.

I guess one reading of that stat might be that Goulburn abandoned it’s consistent playing style, played like a completely different team and committed dramatically more infringements than in every other game this year.

In any event, for the amount of high tackles and constant niggle (both sides) and other matters this match won’t be one remembered fondly.

What WILL be remembered fondly is how this side played, week in week out with a rotating roster, new players every week, many for them having their first season of rugby, and overwhelmingly a side of players young enough for a Colts team.

This grade felt the departure of many key players from last season most acutely as many second grade players had to grade up, and despite the obstacles in front of them, in all but four games this side either lost by a small margin or won. That effort may not translate neatly into numbers of wins but shows the potential of this side should the club be lucky enough to retain them in years to come.

Over the years, the Goulburn Dirty Reds have had a lot of premiership winning teams, and in some ways they blur together. For me what stands out are the handful of the gutsiest sides that kept standing up to be counted in the toughest of times. Sides like the 2024 Dirty Twos. As I said in the first grade report, adversity is the prism in which character is revealed. This side can stand as tall as any.

Tuggeranong 51 bt Goulburn 14 (Jack White, Harrison Newby tries, Pat Craig 2 conversions).

Best & Fairest points:

3 – Jack White
2 – Emiliano Kolofale
1 – Pat Craig

Players Player:

Pat Craig & Jack White

By the clock:

2 mins – Tuggeranong try (0-5)
8 mins – Tuggeranong conv try (0-12)
16 mins – Tuggeranong try (0-17)
25 mins – Tuggeranong try (0-24)

40 mins – Harry Newby (7-24)
45 mins – Tuggeranong try (7 – 29)
51 mins – Tuggeranong try (7-34)
64 mins – Jack White try, Pat Craig conv (14-34)
66 mins – Tuggeranong penalty try (14-41)
68 mins – Tuggeranong try (14-46)
70 mins – Tuggeranong try (14-51)