RugbyWA 2024 Grand Final Wrapped
The big dance is done – and Associates have emerged victorious in the Fortescue Men's Premier Grade.
In an incredible performance against Minor Premiers, Palmyra, it was one conversion from Ian Prior that provided the difference in score to secure Associates the Premiership title for 2024.
The first try of the match was scored by Palmyra’s Kitan Ojo in the 12th minute in a wide breakthrough on the wing. The conversion from Jack Grooby was unsuccessful.
The second try of the match was scored later in the first half by Palmyra’s Hanley Setu directly under the goals at the thirty-minute mark, which was then converted by Jack Grooby.
With Palmyra holding a 12-0 lead heading into the final minute of the first half, Associates were hungry to open their scoring. This came in the 39th minute at the 39th second when a well-placed pass from Harrison Webster allowed captain Dean Taylor-Menzies to break through and get over the line. Ian Prior converted the try as the game entered half time.
Emerging from the break with the score sitting at 12-7, it was do-or-die for both sides. A tough but evenly skilled match, it was going to take a massive push from either side to guarantee victory.
This came with a massive push by Associates on the tryline in the 54th minute, with Palmyra’s strong defense continuously pushing them back before Sam Meecham pushed through. The try put the two sides on the same score – and it was a successful conversion from Ian Prior that pushed Associates ahead for the first time in the game.
It was seven minutes later that Associates found their third try of the game, with a stellar pass from Taylor-Menzies allowing Justin Landman to slip through a gap in defense to bring the score to 12-19. The try was converted by Ian Prior, with Associates sitting at 12-21.
Not ready to back down from the fight, Palmyra continued to push, breaking down Associates’ defense. Potu Leavasa saw Palmyra’s third try of the match in the 69th minute, pushing past the pack to score. Jack Grooby then converted, bringing the score to 19-21.
In a tense final thirteen minutes, featuring penalties, knock-ons and forward passes, the whistle was blown, marking Associates the victors of the Fortescue Men’s Premier Grade for 2024. Marking their first Premiership in the top grade since 2018, spectators, family and friends rushed to the field in celebration.
Associates' flanker Jesse Elliott was named Player of the Match. The match was officiated by Jordan Kaminski, and Assistant Refereed by Sam Jones and Graham Cooper. Hayden McGregor and James Gatenby made up the rest of the officials’ team as No. 4 and 5.
A stellar game in the Fortescue Women’s Premier Grade saw Wanneroo Divaz take the win in a 20-8 victory.
With the Minor Premiers, Wanneroo, taking on the only team to break their winning streak in the regular season, Palmyra, the game was set to be a tough match.
An early try from Wanneroo’s Ai Dickson opened up the scoring, with a strong push over the try line moving past Palmyra’s defenses. The try was unsuccessfully converted.
A penalty in the thirteenth minute by Kendra Fell put Palmyra on the board, with the ball sailing directly between the posts.
With the score sitting at 5-3, a penalty was awarded to Wanneroo, leading to a line out just before the try line. A strong push through from Shaine Kani saw the side get across the line and make their second try of the match.
A pass out to the wing by previous-try scorer Shiane Kani allowed Majesty Pomare to make a breakaway, steaming past Palmyra’s strong defense to secure the third try of the match, bringing Wanneroo up to a 15-3 lead.
With no further tries in the half, a knock on from Wanneroo was called before the sides went into the break.
Heading into the second half, Palmyra had a lot of work to do to try and catch up to the formidable Wanneroo Divaz. In the 46th minute, Palmyra’s Juraea Turner received a yellow card in her attempts to defend the Divaz for repeated infringement.
With one player down, Palmyra pushed hard against the Divaz. With their defensive line strong, Palmyra fought valiantly to keep Wanneroo from making another try, but Majesty Pomare’s speed out on the wing saw the Divaz cross the line once more.
A breakaway from Palmyra’s Ocean Tuhua kept the side’s hopes alive, with a well-timed pass to Zarah Suamili in the 58th minute crossing the line for their first try of the match. The try was unsuccessfully converted.
With a twelve-minute battle left between the two sides, the final whistle was blown to mark Wanneroo Divaz the 2024 Premiers of the Fortescue Women’s Premier Grade, with a final score of 20-8.
Adrienna Gloster, Wanneroo’s lock, was awarded the Player of the Match. The match was officiated by the first all-female Match Official team for a major Grand Final in RugbyWA Referee history, with Tyler Miller taking the lead, assisted by Madi Putz and Trinity Lee. Jayde Proctor and Morghan Sattler made up the rest of the officials' team as No. 4 and 5.
Congratulations to all teams involved in the day, and all named the Premiers for the 2024 RugbyWA season!
With the Grand Final Festival of Rugby capping off the end of the 2024 season, there is yet more rugby to look forward to in the off season.
RugbyWA will be hosting the WA 7’s Series, with three 7’s competitions running throughout the state – the AFGRI Albany 7’s for juniors in October, the Southwest Summer 7’s for seniors in Margaret River, and the WA 7’s in January. Registrations are available through wa.rugby/rugby7s.
RugbyWA will also be launching Tri Tag, Rugby Australia’s official non-contact rugby format, from October. Tri Tag Hubs will offer a 10-week season for participants of all ages and abilities to play rugby, with Curtin, Wanneroo and UWA kicking off in October. To learn more about Tri Tag, and register your interest in the 2024 season, visit wa.rugby/participate/tritag/register.
2024 RugbyWA Grand Final Results
Senior Competition
Fortescue Men’s Premier Grade – Associates (21) d. Palmyra (19)
Fortescue Women’s Premier Grade – Wanneroo Divaz (20) d. Palmyra (8)
Championship Grade – ARKS (27) d. Bunbury Barbarians (24)
Reserve Grade – Southern Lions (23) d. Palmyra (22)
Third Grade – Palmyra (28) d. Nedlands (22)
Fourth Grade – Palmyra (29) d. Kalamunda (14)
Belt Up Colts – Wanneroo (39) d. Palmyra (35)
Community Grade – Rockingham (25) d. Curtin University (19)
Women’s Community Grade – Southern Lions (29) d. Wanneroo Divaz (26)
Junior Competition
Under 18 – Wests Scarborough (18) d. Cottesloe (17)
Under 16 – Southern Lions (17) d. Nedlands (15)
Under 15 – Nedlands (29) d. Rockingham (10)
Under 15 Girls – Wanneroo (19) d. Rocky Flyers (14)
Under 14 Swan – Wests Scarborough (12) d. Southwest Spirit (5)
Under 14 Gold – Palmyra (26) d. Kalamunda (15)
Under 13 – Kalamunda (29) d. Joondalup Brothers (14)
