The Kawana Dolphins are savouring their tough win in the region’s A-grade rugby league competition, after edging neighbour Maroochydore 22-10 in the grand final at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
“We’ve had a tremendous season,” said coach Andrew Hinson, a former NRL player.
“It (the premiership) means a hell of a lot. We’ve got a few guys retiring at the end of the season so it was great to send them out as winners. They deserve to go out like that.
“And we’ve got some young kids coming through, who could step up next year.”
The Dolphins were second on a nine-team ladder before charging through the finals.
It was the Dolphins’ first A-grade title since 2015, when they also toppled the Swans.
“There were a number of players who returned to the club this year, from 2015, and it culminated in a really good squad, with close friendships,” Hinson said.
“The two clubs (Kawana and Maroochydore) are local rivals…but it’s been a tough year with COVID and we had a tragic incident at the start of the year in a trial involving the two clubs (the death of Swans’ Dale Best), so now we are always joined at the hip.”
Caloundra won the women’s decider 28-12, during a bumper day of rugby league finals at the stadium.
The Sharks were second on the ladder after home-and-away fixtures, before they experienced a great finals campaign.
Meanwhile, University are celebrating their grand final win in the Sunshine Coast Rugby Union A-grade competition.
The Barbarians toppled the region’s traditional powerhouses Noosa 10-6 at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
It was their first title in the six-team competition since 2015, when they also beat the Dolphins.
The Barbarians started the season slowly but gained momentum to be second on the ladder, before progressing through finals.
“You learn a lot from some losses — they made them really tight as a group,” coach Brad Tronc said.
“There’s a great culture through the club, and it’s not uncommon to see us having a feed together and have music pumping at training.”
The Barbarians beat Noosa three times towards the end of their campaign — in the final round, the major semi-final and then the grand final.
“It’s hard to beat them once, because of how good they are,” said Tronc.
Matt Lieder starred for University in the main game, despite suffering a serious ankle injury three weeks earlier.
He kicked a penalty from 40m and converted a try from the sideline, into the breeze.
“He was huge and it justified the rehab he did to get himself right to play,” said Tronc.
Noosa still had plenty of reason to celebrate after all nine of their teams featured in grand finals.
The club’s women’s team was involved in a thrilling grand final with Caloundra.
It was a 24-all draw but the Dolphins were awarded the title because they were higher on the ladder.
Nambour Yandina United recently claimed a breakthrough regular season premiership in the Sunshine Coast Football premier men’s competition.
The Reds won the title for the first time in their 47 years, after notching 43 points from 17 games.
They finished six points ahead of Noosa and will contest finals during the next few weeks.
“It’s pretty surreal really,” said coach Korey Nix.
“When you consider how long the club has been waiting, I don’t think any of us can comprehend it.
“But it’s been special to finally get it done and see what it means to so many people. It’s been amazing.”
Nix said this year’s team was successful due to its cohesion.
“What sets us apart this year is how close we are as a team — we’re a brotherhood.”
“We have a good blend of experience and youth, with tolerance and patience from the older players and tenacity and ambition from the younger players.”
They’re now in pursuit of the club’s first-ever grand final win.
“We definitely want to go out and win the grand final,” said Nix.
“We’ve got more history to write.
“We want to keep growing and progressing as a club, and push the boundaries.”
The Nix brothers, Korey, Kallum and Kyle have played significant roles at NYU, with the latter the subject of a video, produced by a club member.
The region’s top AFL team, the Maroochydore Roos, experienced a remarkable maiden season in the state competition.
The Andrew Cadzow-coached unit, which was promoted to the top flight after impressing in the lower leagues in recent years, reached the grand final before succumbing to Broadbeach.
They were beaten 14.6 (90) to 8.4 (52) at Southport.
“They have given their all this season and made history as the club’s highest achievement ever,” the club said via their social media.
“The Roos’ future is very bright.”
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Key player Greg Stirton retired following the game after playing more than 200 matches for the club.
The region’s main rugby league team, the Sunshine Coast Falcons, were eliminated from the Queensland Cup after scraping into the finals.
The Sam Mawhinney-coached side won their last couple of games in the 15-team regular season to earn a berth in the eight-team finals but they bowed out in the first week of playoffs with a 40-20 loss to Redcliffe away from home.
Some of the club stalwarts then hung up their boots, including long-term captain Dane Hogan, Todd Murphy and Martin Cordwell.
