Throwback Thursday of Scotty Naughton vs the Woden Valley Rams in 2018.
The air at Belconnen’s home ground was thick with the familiar tension of a rugby league match, but for Yass Magpies coach Luke Berkrey, every moment on the sideline held a deeper significance. This was the second-to-last game he would coach before he swapped the black and white for the Cootamundra Bulldogs’ blue and white next season. His players knew it, and they were determined to put on a show for their coach, even on foreign soil.
The matchup against the Belconnen United Sharks was a chance for redemption. A score reversal from their last clash, where the Magpies had triumphed 28-18, was on everyone’s mind. The Magpies started with a ferocious energy, their attack sharp and their defence resolute. It was a promising opening, but as Berkrey would later reflect, opportunities slipped through their fingers.
“We started well. We probably bombed three tries in the first half, which should have been certain tries for us and would have put us out,” he’d admit, the frustration still palpable. Despite the missed chances, the Magpies fought hard to put points on the board. Liam Grame broke the line to score the first try, a moment of brilliant individual effort. Jacob Lucas, having one of his best games of the season, followed up with a try of his own, showcasing his skill and determination.
When Clay Sing crossed the line, it felt like the Magpies were in control. Kaidan Bell was flawless with the boot, slotting all three conversions to keep the score ticking over. Yet, the Sharks were a formidable opponent, responding with tries of their own from players like Jacob Piper and Connor Massen.
By halftime, the score-board read a tight 12-all, a reflection of the evenly matched contest. “I think we went into halftime at 12-all, and we probably deserved to be in front,” Berkrey said, highlighting the fine mar-gins that define a game.
The second half began with a gut punch for the Magpies. Belconnen, fuelled by a half-time regroup, came out firing.
“They scored a couple of quick ones after half-time, and that put us on the back foot to bring ourselves back into the game,” Berkrey lamented.
Tries from Sonny Tupuola and Albert Watego, both converted by Zach Patch, gave the Sharks a commanding lead. The Magpies dug deep, rallying to stay in the fight. They were relentless in their attack, hammering at the Sharks’ try line, desperate to turn the tide.
“We would have been held up three times just before they scored their try, which would have put us in front,” Berkrey recalled, painting a picture of a team that was so close, yet so far. But the Sharks were just a little bit better on the day.
A late try from Jacob Piper, his second of the game, sealed the victory for Belconnen. With Sonny Tupuola adding the conversion, the final score was 28-18, a mirror image of the first time they had met.
Despite the loss, Berkrey saw a silver lining in his team’s performance. “I think we’re improving, but unfortunately, it’s a little bit too late for us,” he said. He was determined to build momentum for the next season, even without him at the helm.
He singled out a few players for their outstanding performances, including Lekani Mpaso, who he described as “outstanding.” Jacob Lucas, who had struggled with head knocks throughout the year, had one of his best games, a testament to his resilience.
Looking ahead to his final home game at Walker Park, a clash with the Queanbeyan Blues, Berkrey’s words were a mix of hope and a call to arms for his team and their supporters. He wanted to see his players “stay in the fight for as long as we can.” He spoke of the home crowd’s impact, the energy they bring to the field. “We always get some good support down there, so hopefully we get that again and get the crowd behind us,” he said. “They certainly help us at home; we play our best footy at home.”
For Berkrey, that final game at Walker Park was about leaving a legacy of confidence for the team he had coached, about “finishing the right way” to set them up for a successful future.
– Tully Potts
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