Gorillas Spoil Fairytail as Bosco’s 25-Year Wait Goes On

The 2025 Power Waste Management Cup (A-Grade) Grand Final delivered everything it promised – a gritty, high-stakes clash between two clubs with very different stories – and in the end, it was the Gymea Gorillas who spoiled the Bosco Bulldogs’ fairytale run with a 16–10 victory at Forshaw Park.

After one of the closest A-Grade seasons in memory, with just two competition points separating the top four, the finals were always going to come down to who could seize the big moments. St Josephs, the back-to-back-to-back reigning premiers, were knocked out in week one by Gymea, while Bosco snatched a field goal win over Minor Premiers De La Salle to advance straight to the decider. In the preliminary, Gymea were ruthless, dispatching De La Salle 34–10 to book their place in the big dance.

That set up a dream final: Gymea, the largest junior rugby league club in NSW this season with the track record and experience to consistently deliver A-Grade silverware, against a Bosco Bulldogs side who only re-established a senior playing cohort a few years ago. In that short time, Bosco had claimed back-to-back Second Grade premierships, but the top-tier A-Grade title had eluded them for more than 25 years.

Bosco, riding the mix of seasoned campaigners Jye Bowen, Cooper Bowen and Monty Raper alongside the youthful spark of 19-year-old halfback Blake Wardrobe, struck first. Within minutes, Bowen turned Nathan Mateer back inside to crash over, igniting a heaving Forshaw Park crowd. For much of the opening half, Bosco held the ascendancy, but failure to convert territory into points left the door ajar. Right on halftime, Gymea pounced. Ryan Peake scooped up a loose ball, sparking an attacking raid that ended with Lawson Cotter streaking down the right wing, beating defenders to dive over. At the break, Bosco’s lead was cut to just two.

Gymea came out of the sheds with intent, and with Nathan Wynn pulling the strings, they took control. Wynn found Jordan Bradley to crash over and give the Gorillas the lead, before the veteran playmaker threw a pinpoint cutout ball for Brooklyn Berry to extend the advantage to 16–6. The Wynns, sons of former St. George Dragons star Graham Wynn, brought the experience and composure that turned the contest Gymea’s way.

Still, Bosco refused to roll over. Wardrobe, playing well beyond his years, kept his side alive late, double-pumping at the line to send Logan Clinch over with just minutes remaining. That brought the Bulldogs within striking distance, but it would prove their last chance. The Gorillas’ defence held firm, closing out the game and with it, another chapter of A-Grade dominance.

For Gymea, the spoils of victory were sweet, underlining the strength of a side anchored by experienced leaders like Nathan and Mitch Wynn – the silverbacks of this Gorilla troop. For Bosco, the heartbreak was palpable. Their first A-Grade Grand Final appearance in more than two decades ended in defeat, leaving them still chasing a premiership drought stretching back to 1999. The Bulldogs were left licking their wounds, but with Wardrobe, Clinch, and a youthful core alongside their senior leaders, they look poised to return hungrier than ever in 2026.

Final score: Gymea Gorillas 16 def. Bosco Bulldogs 10.

The Cronulla JRL thanks its' amazing sponsors including Remara, Power Waste Management, Shire Steel, Johnny Gio's and JRFS. 

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Lookout for the professional photos from every Grand Final being posted on our website and social channels over the coming days and weeks. The Power Waste Management Cup photos are already here - see small selection below as well as link to full gallery.

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Pictures: Adam Wrightson (Cronulla JRL) & Brett Nielsen

For full gallery & to download photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/NPtfEi4k4TCW9yFVA