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There were emotional scenes as the Newcastle All Blacks caused a huge upset in the grand final of the Koori Knockout, upsetting the Latrell Mitchell-led Walgett Aboriginal Connection 22-16.
Mitchell’s decision to play raised some eyebrows given he is due to fly out to England with the Kangaroos later this week for the World Cup and playing in the tournament meant there was a risk of getting injured.
The Rabbitohs granted him permission to play and that the Kangaroos did not raise any objections. Mitchell was grateful for the opportunity to represent his people.
“I love this because I get to be around my people. I don’t get many opportunities to be able to do this,” said Mitchell. “Any NRL player that gets to come down and play for their mob, I think it’s a credit to them.
“Now I’m excited to get over to the UK.”
Covid has seen the competition on hold for the past two years, and the passion and pride were overflowing after the the 50th edition of the cup could finally take place.
“I can’t talk, I don’t have any words, I don’t know what to say,” said NAB player Scott Briggs after the match while fighting back tears.
“We’ve trained for this, we’ve worked hard for this.”
It was a brave performance from NAB who were up against a star-studded Walgett with not only Mitchell in the lineup but former NRL starts Joel Thompson, Ben Barba, as well as George Rose and his brother Matt.
‘I’m not from Walgett but this hurts,” admitted Barba.
“We’ve copped a lot of slack being called a money team. The Rose boys do a hell of a lot for all of us when we are struggling.
This is probably an ‘F-You’ to all the haters that say we’re only out here to get paid, but we play for the love of it.
“You can hear it in my voice how much it hurts.
“What these Rose boys do for their families and community is unbelievable, I feel like I let them down today. I feel pretty disappointed.”
Earlier in the day, Dunghutti Connexions beat the Newcastle Yowies in the Women’s Grand Final 8-6.