Sport
9 September, 2025
Grand Finals in sight
THE Stanley River Wolves Reserve Grade are joining their A Grade team in the SCGRL Grand Finals this weekend, after a hard-fought 36–28 victory over the Beerwah Bulldogs at Sunshine Coast Stadium on September 7.
Both senior teams haven’t played in Grand Finals since 1979, with A Grade having finished with the wooden spoon last year and Reserve Grade coming second last.
The Wolves came out firing in the first half of the Sunday game, piling on points against the Doggies, taking a commanding lead of more than 20 points before the break.
Steven Torrens led the charge with a double, while Jacob Tobok, Jayden Taufa and Errol Simpson – who also bagged a brace – kept the scoreboard ticking over. Goalkicker Jackson Sambrooks proved invaluable, nailing five conversions and a penalty goal to ensure Beerwah stayed at arm’s length despite their second-half surge.
The Bulldogs fought back strongly after the break, running in 18 unanswered points and crossing for five tries overall, but the Wolves’ first-half dominance and Sambrooks’ steady boot proved the difference.
Stanley River Wolves president, Sam Cooper, said he was “beyond proud” of his team and pumped for the Finals.
“This is the first time in nearly 50 years we’ve had two senior teams in Grand Final,” he said. “We actually won those two games in 1979 so, we’re hoping to repeat history.”
Mr Cooper acknowledged the Bulldogs put on “a tough game”, giving the Wolves a bit of a scare in the second half, but not enough to come out on top.
“Now we got to get around everyone being mentally prepared and be as physically fit as we can for the Grand Finals,” he said.
Stanley River’s Reserve Grade will face the Coolum Colts at 2:50pm on September 14 at the Sunshine Coast Stadium, followed by the A Grade team taking on the Maroochydore Swans at 4:30pm.
