This Sunday the Campbelltown Collegians will play in their first grand final since returning to the premier rugby league competition of the Macarthur region four years ago.
The Glen de Bono coached Collegians defeated Oakdale Workers 32-22 in the preliminary final on Sunday at Dudley Chesham Sports ground, The Oaks.
On Sunday they will line up against the might of reigning premiers Camden Rams at Campbelltown Stadium in the Macarthur Conference rugby league [formerly Group Six] grand final.
The grand final will kick off at 3.15pm, with the weather forecast being for a cool, sunny day – perfect for local rugby league’s big day.
Camden will enter the grand final as firm favourites, having dominated the 2025 competition.
They lost just one match during the home and away part of the season, and have breezed into the decider.
Having said that, the Collegians also deserve their spot in the grand final, having finished second to Camden on the ladder.
Rams also went into last year’s grand final as favourites, but were pushed all the way – including extra time – by the Oaks Tigers.
Camden did end up winning 38-26, but had to work hard – and sealed the victory with an intercept try in the dying moments of extra time.
The match went into extra time when the teams finished locked up 26-all after 80 minutes.
Camden will also remember that they lost the 2023 grand final to the Thirlmere Roosters in an epic upset.
That’s why this year’s decider shapes up as an intriguing encounter and should draw a big crowd to Campbelltown Stadium.
In the preliminary final against the Workers, Collegians scored six tries to four, with their clever halfback Sitiveni Moceidreke converting four from six.
He also bagged one of the Collies tries and will be a key play for the Campbelltown side on Sunday.
Collies, who led 22-10 at half time, held on to win despite being outscored by brave Oakdale in the second half.
Workers, who are coached by former East Campbeltown Eagles mentor Richard Barnes, never stopped trying for the entire match, but it was not to be.