As the sun was setting on yet another Cronulla JRL season there was one final order of business that was yet to be concluded and that was to determine who would be crowned this years A-Grade champions.
As fate would have it, it was going to be a 2022 Grand Final replay between the Gymea Gorillas and St Joseph's, only this time Joeys would be hoping to reverse their fortunes from last year and finally claim their long overdue first ever A-Grade Grand Final trophy.
Both teams had arguably been the best teams all season and so it was only fitting that they should square off on a stunning Sunday afternoon at Shark Park to decide who would be crowned 2023 Power Waste Management Gold Cup Champions.
In front of a packed stadium, Gymea ran out first to the sounds of their lone Scottish bagpipe player and the roars of their vocal supporters. Joeys did the same with an equal number of vocal supporters, all of whom were hoping for the porch light to be finally turned off and fulfil their clubs quest for A-Grade immortality.
It was evident right from the kick-off that Joeys had prepared well both mentally and physically. Joeys got on top early and never looked like being run-down in what in the end was a comprehensive 20-6 victory over the Gorillas.
Gymea fought hard throughout the entirety of the contest, but on this occasion Joeys had all the answers and then some. It was a great way to end the Grand Final weekend and as the Joeys team celebrated into the night and the early hours of Mad Monday morning the porch light was finally turned out not only for the Joeys club's quest for the A-Grade title but also on what has been an amazing 2023 Cronulla JRL season.
The Cronulla JRL thanks its amazing sponsors including Aramex Australia, Zambrero, Power Waste Management & Shire Steel.
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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.
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Pictures thanks to: Adam Wrightson (Cronulla JRL) & Warren Gannon Photography.
Want to download high resolution photos? https://photos.app.goo.gl/7PxW5ZAjgRyWES3h7 https://photos.app.goo.gl/mD4wdJdPmPgp3VLH6
Even more photos available from this game at Warren Gannon Photography
