Footy Flashback - 2014 Newcastle Rugby League Grand Final

It was the last Newcastle Rugby League Grand Final at No1 Sportsground and a decent crowd over 10,000 rolled into the historic venue to see old rivals Western Suburbs Rosellas and Cessnock Goannas go head to head.

Cessnock were looking for their first title since 2003 whilst West’s were aiming for a threepeat.

The Rosellas got off to the best possible start when fullback Justin Smith was on the end of some good lead up work from Brad Murray and Warren Schillings.

A Goannas mistake led to the Rosellas second try in the 18th minutes. Hooker James Woolford saw an opportunity and seized the moment, diving over from dummy half, which Brad Murray converted to make it 10 nil. Three minutes later the Goannas hit back thanks to Shaun Metcalf to reduce the margin to 6 points. but on the stroke of half time West’s had their third when Ryan Lamb found the corner.

Down 16-4 at the break, Cessnock needed to score next and they did just that when Geordie Connelly wrestled his way over the line.  The Goannas had a couple more chances to blow the game wide open but the Rosellas scrambling defence held tight. With 10 minutes to go, Wests scored a fourth and final try through Mark Farrar which Murray converted to push the margin out to 14 points. West’s had clinched their 3^rd title in a row under coach Craig Miller.

The victory capped off a remarkable period in Rosellas history and the end of an era for Newcastle Rugby League as the final siren rang out over Newcastle’s No1 Sportsground for the last time.

PICTURED: Western Suburbs Rosellas celebrate victory in the 2014 Newcastle Rugby League Grand Final. 

Final Score: Western Suburbs 22 (J. Smith, J. Woolford, R. Lamb, M. Farrar tries; B. Murray 3 goals) defeated Cessnock 8 (S. Metcalf, G.Conelly tries).