Sport
4 September, 2025
Wattles Warriors now face Gatton Hawks in TRL major semi-final
Wattles Warriors scored five unanswered tries after half time to comfortably win the qualifying final against Brothers 36-16 at Platz Oval on Sunday afternoon.
It was Wattles’ best performance of the season.
Their backs certainly made a difference with Connor Williams outstanding despite being sin binned early in the game.
Williams made several clear breaks during the match.
His team mates bought in and they put the game to bed in the second half with a polished display.
Brothers scored the first try through Jackson Lenzo.
The Leprechauns had the better of the first half but when Williams went for ten shortly after Lenzo’s four pointer, it seemed to galvanise the Warriors.
Despite not playing their best footy, they dug deep to grind out a 12-10 lead at half time.
Tom Hatch scored a good individual try in the 25th minute then Alex Hinch found space six minutes later to put the Warriors 12-4 in front when Brothers Cory McGrady scrambled over with five minutes remaining in the half.
There was something in the oranges in Wattles’ shed at half time.
Will Jackson and Connor Williams scored two good tries on the left side in the 49th and 52nd minutes respectively after some good lead up work by Ty Gardner.
Wattles’ momentum continued and they scored the next three tries to wrap up the match.
Ty Gardner had a hand in many of the tries and Williams and his outside backs capitalised.
In fact, Gardner was superb.
Dogged by injuries these last few seasons, he played as if he had never been away.
He was excellent in defence as well.
Brothers received a lesson from a team that is seasoned in finals footy. But not all is lost as they get another chance next week. They have been very good bouncing back after rare losses this season. Cory McGrady tried hard and fullback Braden Leigh was tireless at the back. Jacob Mouatt was effective when he came on late in the match.
But it was Wattles day and they will be ready for next week’s super clash with the undefeated Hawks on Sunday afternoon to compete in the major semi-final.
Both team are 80 minutes away from a Grand final berth.
The Warriors will now travel to Gatton on Sunday afternoon to compete in the major semi-final against the unbeaten Hawks.
Wattles 36 (Will Jackson 2, Tom Hatch, Alex Hinch, Connor Wiliams, Ty Gardner, Mitch Bourke tries Tom Hatch 4 goals) defeated Brothers 16 (Jackson Lenzo, Cory McGrady, Oli Chaffey tries Sam Betros 2 goals)
Reserve Grade
Unfortunately things did not go so well for Wattles’ Reserve Grade side at the weekend.
Dalby ended the Warriors’ season 40-12 after a dominant display.
The Diehards were in control of the match throughout and they progress through to week two of the finals.
Dalby 40 (Jamie Whyte, Kuyahn Dunrobin, Alex Lindsay, Mitch Taylor, Clayton McGee, Chris Wilkes, Albert Dynevor, Joseph Gillett tries Alex Lindsay 3, Brock Sankey tries) defeated Wattles 12 (Warren Draper, Sunnie Tunstead tries Thomas Morris 2 goals).
- Andrew O’Brien
