GREATER Northern Under 16s earned their shot at an AAMI Country Championship in Tamworth on Sunday when the Tigers scored two late tries to overrun Bidgee Bulls 28-24.
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They will line up against Western Rams in Sunday’s final (12.15pm kickoff) after the Rams beat the East Coast Dolphins 28-8.
The Western Rams will also play in the Under 18 Final after ending Great Northern’s hopes with a second half demolition, winning 48-4.
They play Bidgee Bulls in the Under 18 Championship final timed for a 1.40pm kickoff at Scully Park.
While the Peter Stevens-coached Tiger 18s failed to control the ball in the second half the Tiger 16s were the opposite and gave coach Gary Jones another thrill.
He was still shaking after the game, such was the commitment and intensity from his young side.
Jones was also amazed and delighted with the individual effort of his captain Max Altus.
“It was a bizarre last 15 minutes,” Jones said.
“I’ve never seen a game change like it did, whether it was their (Bidgee) mistakes or whether we got some possession, but Maxie was just outstanding.”
Jones moved Altus from lock to hooker and that too changed the way the game was playing out.
“I haven’t seen anyone do what he did,” Jones said.
“Whether he was at lock or hooker though he was just too good, made it change on his own.
“He’s a good kid.”
GREATER NORTHERN UNDER 16 SQUAD
1 Steve McGrady (Inverell), 2 Luke Howes (Farrer), 3 Dylan Porter (Farrer), 4 Hayden Bourke (Singleton), 5 Ben Fechner (Scone), 6 Lachlan Chard (Glen Innes), 7 Bailey Ellis (Singleton), 8 Lachlan Fry (Singleton), 9 Cody Byrne (Farrer), 10 Alek Hall (Farrer), 11 Zac Parker (Farrer), 12 Bailey Lennox (Gunnedah), 13 Max Altus, capt (Farrer), 14 Jordan Allan (Scone), 15 Koen Reiri (North Tamworth), 16 Max Greacen (Denman), 17 Alex Fisher (Glen Innes), 18 Mitchell Dykes (Scone). Coach: Gary Jones, Manager: Mick Schmiedel, Trainers: Peter Collins, Mark. Wilton.
