DPC’s Kane Simpson with Guy Thompson holding a photo of Jabez TieTie alongside the cup. Photo: Facebook Guy Thompson.
The Darlington Point-Coleambally Roosters have cemented the club’s second dynasty after winning their first back-to-back premierships since 1987-88 with a 30-22 victory over the Hay Magpies at EW Moore Oval on Sunday.
The triumph was a highly emotional one, after what has been a tough year for the club and communities following the passing of former player Jabez Tietie and fellow forward Orisi Rokobati’s wife Nancy, among others.
“This one is for you my brother Jabez Tietie, we got him for you; thanks for looking down over us,” DPC coach Guy Thompson said.
He added that the club achieved the ultimate goal of delivering a premiership to the club in the memory of those they had lost.
“We made a pact at the start of the year,” he said.
“It’s just not Bez; this community has lost four or five people this year.
“Orisi lost his wife Nancy at the start of the season.
“We made a pact, and we said every time we go out there we play for the Hughes family, the Tietie family, and also for Orisi.
“The most emotional thing I’ve ever seen in the game of footy was today at the end of the game, when Orisi held the cup up; [it was an] unbelievable feeling – goosebumps up the back of my neck. The whole Point crowd erupted; he had tears in his eyes. He’s a Hay local; he came to us two years ago, and he’s been outstanding.”
Darlington Point-Coleambally Roosters celebrate being 2025 Group 20 Premiers. Photo: Group 20 Facebook.
The Roosters had to come from behind twice in the second half in a never-say-die fightback that sealed the club’s third title in the past five completed seasons and their status as the dominant team of this era in Group 20.
The Magpies opened the scoring through Hugh Crighton, before Joey Peato and Jon Huggett struck back to give the Roosters a 12-6 lead.
Hay were the next to cross, levelling the game at 12-all heading into half-time through Kynan Headon, before Toby Crighton gave them an 18-12 lead on the other side of the break.
Isaac Railo hit back for the Roosters, levelling the game again at 18 points each, before strike centre Brad Pocock gave Hay the lead once more at 22-18 with a quarter of the game left to play.
However, some vintage form from DPC veterans Ben Jeffery and Josh Veivers helped the Roosters control the final stages, and a converted try to winger Jisharn Harrison gave them the lead, before Tom Fattore sealed the deal and the club’s seventh title with nine minutes remaining.
DPC’s Danny Brain looks to take on the Hay defence. Photo: Mandy Brooke-Barnes.
The Roosters clung to that advantage against a Hay side with two extra games in the legs, holding on to claim their first successive titles since their late 1980s triumphs under John Barnhill and John Clune, with a thrilling eight-point win.
Thompson said it was among the most physical games he’d watched as a coach.
“I give full credit to the Hay side; speaking to the boys, [it was the] most physical game, and one of the biggest games most of these boys, including myself, have been a part of,” he said.
“I think for 60 minutes of the game, they were the better side, and at the back end players like Benny Jeffery, Kane [Simpson] and [Josh] Veivers steered the ship and got us home.
“Veivers kicked every goal today, he was never gonna miss – the iceman.”
The star of the day was 37-year-old former Titan and Tiger Ben Jeffery, who picked up the Barry Hails Medal as best on ground to go with his seventh bush footy title after three triumphs at Albury, one at Griffith Waratahs, and now three at DPC.
“He got us home in the end through a couple of good decisions and experience at the back end of the game.
“He put Chaise [Sergi] through a hole that led to a try, and then put Chaise through again, got on the front foot, got the penalty off the back of it and Tommy Fattore scored.”
The premiership marks DPC’s seventh title in club history, following triumphs in 1980, 1983, 1987, 1988, 2019 and 2024.
