Thirlmere Roosters beat Camden Rams in the 2003 Group 6 grand final to claim the premiership. Players from that Roosters side have been holding 20 year reunions of that great victory.
Now, in 2023, the Thirlmere Roosters are in another grand final decider with Camden Rams and have the chance to repeat the dose from 20 years ago.
The competition is now called Wests Macarthur Conference but it’s still Group 6 with a new name.
The Roosters defeated Mittagong 28-24 at Victoria Park, Picton in the preliminary final on Sunday to qualify for this Sunday’s decider at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
In a five tries to four effort, Matthew Scott bagged two for the Roosters, with Joshua Bryant, Mitchell New and Harrison Coskerie were the other try scorers for Thirlmere.
Damon New kicked four from five for Thirlmere, while Mittagong’s best player of the year, former NRL star Bryson Goodwin kicked four from four and bagged a try as well.
Goodwin was the top pointscorer for the season with 212 to his credit.
Lions coach James Grehan, while entitled to feel disappointed after such a close loss, can tick the 2023 season as a successful one.
On the other hand, Darren McLeod, the Thirlmere mentor, must be over the moon at the effort from his side, especially during the finals.
All year it looked like Camden and Mittagong would meet in the big dance in September to find out who would be 2023 premiers.
But it must be said that the Thirlmere Roosters did finish second to Camden after the home and away part of the competition.
It was just one point separating them from Mittagong, something that showed during the thrilling encounter at Picton.
But the Roosters, who were always the dark horse for the premiership, ended up in the 2023 grand final.
Waiting for them are the minor premier Camden, who have enjoyed a week off while waiting to find out who their opponents would be.
2023 MACARTHUR CONFERENCE GRAND FINAL:
Camden Rams v Thirlmere Roosters
Sunday, September 16
Campbelltown Sports Stadium
3.15pm kick off.
