The Bears are off to the NSW Cup Grand Final defeating the Newtown Jets 18-16.
The Jets actually got over the line on full time but were held up, phew.
Now the Bears can sit back next weekend, rest their injuries and hope that the Canberra Raiders and Newtown belt each other.
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Fantastic result and game.
Norths found some resolute after a tough month and a bit. Hopefully they get up in the GF but history isn’t kind in the big dances!
Random Digression:
Shame PNG Hunters lost their prelim final game. It would’ve otherwise been Dolphins vs. Hunters in Q Cup Final and Bears vs. (insert) in NSW Cup Final.
A massive endorsement for already included and would be expansion teams had Hunters made it. Still a great outcome for them to finish where they did. They looked average around mid season, big push from them in the last 3rd of regular season to make finals.
A’las it’s Redcliffe Dolphins vs. Norths Devils in Q-Cup GF (round of applause to the Dolphins systems and feeder clubs for playing eachother in the big dance).
Norths vs. likely Raiders but Jets aren’t out of it yet in NSW Cup GF.
Here’s hoping for Bears vs. Dolphins State Cup! Bet the ARLC would be patting themselves on the back quietly if that’s the game.
But Norths vs. Norths also has a bit of romance about it too.
Just a final note in relevance to Western Bears. Considering how many Bears-alone contracted players played in last years and now this years Cup GF - this small period of moderate success puts them in good stead heading into an NRL birth/rebirth. The fact that the Bears captain is the best Western Australian born player not currently playing NRL is somewhat poetic.