Cleve McGhie delivered his trademark magic to win it at the death. Photo: Tahlia Crane.
For 771 days, the Wagga Brothers’ men’s rugby league team had been searching for this feeling.
That long winless stretch finally came to an end in the most dramatic way possible on Sunday afternoon, with centre Cleve McGhie delivering a late double to steer Brothers to a heart-stopping 20-18 victory over the Cootamundra Bulldogs at Les Boyd Oval.
The result snapped a 35-game drought and capped off a magical week for the club, which earlier celebrated their women’s tackle player Holly Williams being selected as a development player for the Canberra Raiders.
The men’s team looked in control early after racing to a 12-4 halftime lead, but the Bulldogs refused to go away, fighting back to take a 14-12 lead midway through the second half.
From there, it became a test of nerve — and McGhie rose to it.
The classy centre crossed in the 74th minute to put Brothers back in front, only for Joseva Tuinivanua to respond for Cootamundra and swing momentum once again.
With less than two minutes remaining and another cruel defeat looming, Brothers were handed one final chance.
McGhie regathered a short kickoff to earn another attacking set, then finished a half chance late in the movement to seal the match and spark emotional celebrations as teammates swarmed the field.
Coach Blake Dunn said the breakthrough was a relief after a season full of near misses.
“It’s a long time coming; I feel like we were in the position to win a few games this year and we just weren’t good enough to close them out,” he said.
“To get the win today against a quality team like Coota, it was very pleasing.”
Wagga Brothers’ Holly Williams will now play in Canberra Raiders colours. Photo: Canberra Raiders/Facebook.
Brothers struck first through debutant Joey Charles, who finished in the corner before backing up a break to score again in the following set, giving the visitors a 12-0 lead.
Cootamundra hit back through Sam Bragg just before halftime to reduce the margin to eight at the break.
Bragg doubled up early in the second half, before Brendan Kelleher took a well-timed pass from Ollie Hall to break through and give the Bulldogs their first lead after a successful conversion from James Paterson.
Needing a response, McGhie delivered in the 74th minute to edge Brothers back in front 16-14.
But Tuinivanua’s long-range try appeared to have sealed it for Cootamundra, restoring their two-point advantage.
Then came the final twist.
McGhie again stood up under pressure, regathering a short kickoff to give Brothers one last attacking opportunity, before finishing the set and completing a remarkable late turnaround.
Reflecting on the rollercoaster finish, Dunn said his side had to win it twice.
“It was very pleasing that we were able to what feels like win that game twice,” he said.
“To Coota’s credit they found a way through a spread in their own half, caught us a little bit short, they found a way to get in front, and then obviously after receiving a short kickoff we were able to convert an opportunity with Cleve.
Debutant Joey Charles also made an immediate impact, scoring a first-half double in a dream start to his first-grade career.
“That was Joey’s debut for first grade for our club, so we [are] very pleased to have him back at the club,” Dunn said.
Beyond the scoreboard, Dunn said the win was a reward for persistence through a difficult stretch.
“The best thing about winning football games is the confidence that you get from it; it is such a good feeling to win football games, it is something that you want to chase and feel,” he said.
“We probably have been fairly unlucky with injuries and things that haven’t really [gone] our way, but to everyone’s credit we have continued to turn up with a fairly good attitude.
“It has been just a few periods of games that have been costing us this season, but obviously winning is what it is all about.
“We have been building the second part of that equation, the winning needs to come as well.”
Brothers now host Young this Saturday, while Cootamundra will look to rebound against Gundagai at Anzac Park on Sunday.
