Wagga Badgers - Fairfield Stallions
ASRL Division Two Grand Final Preview
by Alan Macquarie
Wagga Wagga Daily Advertiser
Telstra Stadium, Sydney, after the ASRL Premiership Grand Final
Wagga Badgers (16-9-1, 33 pts, 2nd Peter Sterling Division)
P1 - Wagga 28, Canberra 24
P2 - Wagga 30, Tamworth City 26 (aet)
P3 - East Coast 38, Wagga 18
P4 - Wagga 34, Tassie 6
Fairfield Stallions (17-9-0, 34 pts, 5th Wally Lewis Division)
P1 - Fairfield 24, Shanghai 8
P2 - Fairfield 28, Ipswich 22
P3 - Fairfield 12, Newcastle 8
P4 - Fairfield 25, East Coast 20
Met once this season, Round 9, at Fairfield Showgrounds.
Fairfield 42, Wagga 14
Fairfield Stallions and Wagga Badgers have very little to play for this game, as their merger will be official immediately after the final whistle. However, pride will be a major factor in this one, as both sides want to hoist the trophy at the end of the night.
Form - Wagga lost their third round tie with Wally Lewis champion East Coast, but then beat Peter Sterling champion Tassie to get to the Grand Final. Plus, they beat Canberra and Tamworth City in the first two rounds - sides that both finished ahead of Stallions during the regular season.
Fairfield beat Shanghai, Ipswich, and Newcastle to reach the semifinals, but even Anthony Magro will admit that Wagga had a tougher road to reach the Grand Final than Stallions had. However, their victory over East Coast - something Badgers did not do - balances the form factor almost evenly.
Injuries - None reported by the clubs.
Prognosis - Beating Tassie by the margin they did, Badgers will certainly have caught Magro's notice in preparing for this game. How much can one manager do in preparing two sides for different Grand Finals on the same night? Stallions have the stronger side, but the other intangibles seem to favour Badgers.
In the end, I can't ignore that Round 9 result between these two sides, despite the fact that Wagga has played far better since than Fairfield has. It will likely be a lot closer - but look for Magro to have a chance to win the double...
Prediction - Fairfield 20, Wagga 14
Report will be up tomorrow, time allowing
(For now, since time seems to be one thing I don't have, I'll post the report for posterity. Hopefully I'll be able to write a genuine report soon)
Wagga Badgers Fairfield Stallions
1 David Simmons 1 Adrian Vowles
2 Mirco Bergamasco 2 Stuart Kelly
3 Mixie Lui 3 Shane Elford
4 Ruben May 4 Seamus O'Grady
5 James Rowles 5 Rupert Matakamikamica
6 Jamie Fitzgerald 6 Slick Cupples
7 Jamie Rooney 7 Ryan Lawton
8 Nathan McMillan 8 Andy Lynch
9 Smeds Stahl 9 Mick Higham
10 Marc Reed 10 Terry O'Connor
11 Daniel Lemu 11 Robert Salvatori
12 Jon Wilkin 12 Tony Price ©
13 Sam Payne © 13 Scott Magro
++Interchange
14 Sam Speedy 14 Rocky Elsom
15 Christian Walker 15 Matt Adamson
16 Fabian Devichi 16 Sean Ireland
17 Stefano Saghini 17 Chris Tyrie
0:00 Wagga Badgers Kicks off
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 25 m line
0:48 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 40 metres gained
Poor defence by Wagga Badgers
Short kick by Fairfield Stallions
Ball rolls over dead ball line
Ball on Wagga Badgers 20 m line
1:51 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 44 metres gained
Good forward play by Wagga Badgers
Short kick by Wagga Badgers
Ball rolls over dead ball line
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 20 m line
2:17 Fairfield Stallions: 1 tackles, 28 metres gained
Good forward play by Fairfield Stallions
Andy Lynch knocks-on
SCRUM: Ball to Wagga Badgers
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 48 m line
3:03 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, -4 metres gained
Sloppy play by Wagga Badgers
Wagga Badgers kicks and finds touch
SCRUM: Ball to Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 10 m line
3:51 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 64 metres gained
Great run by Adrian Vowles
Short kick by Fairfield Stallions
Ball picked up in in-goal by Wagga Badgers
Ball on Wagga Badgers 10 m line
4:15 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 5 metres gained
Lacklustre play by Wagga Badgers
Kick and chase by Wagga Badgers
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 10 m line
4:56 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 43 metres gained
Poor defence by Wagga Badgers
Kick and chase by Fairfield Stallions
Ball picked up in in-goal by Wagga Badgers
Ball on Wagga Badgers 10 m line
5:44 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 60 metres gained
Bad defence by Fairfield Stallions
Short kick by Wagga Badgers
Ball rolls over dead ball line
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 20 m line
6:37 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 7 metres gained
Great defence by Wagga Badgers
Kick and chase by Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Wagga Badgers 19 m line
7:13 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, -1 metres gained
Great defence by Fairfield Stallions
Kick and chase by Wagga Badgers
Ball picked up in in-goal by Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 10 m line
7:49 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 60 metres gained
Bad defence by Wagga Badgers
Short kick by Fairfield Stallions
Ball taken by Wagga Badgers
Ball on Wagga Badgers 10 m line
8:16 Wagga Badgers: 3 tackles, 12 metres gained
Lacklustre play by Wagga Badgers
Sam Payne knocks-on
SCRUM: Ball to Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Wagga Badgers 22 m line
8:51 Fairfield Stallions: 3 tackles, 17 metres gained
Poor defence by Wagga Badgers
Fairfield Stallions is attacking the line
Seamus O'Grady scores a try for Fairfield Stallions
SCORE: 0 - 4
Try converted by Scott Magro
SCORE: 0 - 6
9:51 Wagga Badgers Kicks off
INTERCHANGE: Sam Speedy ON - Nathan McMillan OFF
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 36 m line
10:28 Fairfield Stallions: 4 tackles, 55 metres gained
Great run by Seamus O'Grady
Fairfield Stallions is attacking the line
Great defence by Wagga Badgers
Andy Lynch knocks-on
SCRUM: Ball to Wagga Badgers
Ball on Wagga Badgers 10 m line
11:28 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 47 metres gained
Poor defence by Fairfield Stallions
Kick and chase by Wagga Badgers
Ball rolls over dead ball line
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 20 m line
12:37 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 28 metres gained
Good backline movement by Fairfield Stallions
Kick and chase by Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Wagga Badgers 12 m line
13:29 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 77 metres gained
Bad defence by Fairfield Stallions
Wagga Badgers is attacking the line
Jon Wilkin scores a try for Wagga Badgers
SCORE: 4 - 6
Try converted by James Rowles
SCORE: 6 - 6
14:29 Fairfield Stallions Kicks off
Ball on Wagga Badgers 23 m line
14:58 Wagga Badgers: 3 tackles, 5 metres gained
Sloppy play by Wagga Badgers
Jamie Rooney knocks-on
Ball turned over to Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Wagga Badgers 28 m line
15:17 Fairfield Stallions: 1 tackles, 23 metres gained
Poor defence by Wagga Badgers
Fairfield Stallions is attacking the line
Great defence by Wagga Badgers
Stuart Kelly knocks-on
Ball turned over to Wagga Badgers
Scott Magro suffers minor injury.
Ball on Wagga Badgers 10 m line
15:40 Wagga Badgers: 1 tackles, 25 metres gained
Good forward play by Wagga Badgers
Fairfield Stallions penalised for dangerous tackle.
PENALTY to Wagga Badgers
Jamie Fitzgerald kicks for touch
Ball on Wagga Badgers 50 m line
16:22 Wagga Badgers: 3 tackles, 30 metres gained
Good backline movement by Wagga Badgers
Wagga Badgers is attacking the line
Great defence by Fairfield Stallions
Jon Wilkin knocks-on
Ball turned over to Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 20 m line
16:46 Fairfield Stallions: 2 tackles, 4 metres gained
Lacklustre play by Fairfield Stallions
Ryan Lawton knocks-on
SCRUM: Ball to Wagga Badgers
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 24 m line
17:34 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 19 metres gained
Poor defence by Fairfield Stallions
Wagga Badgers is attacking the line
Great defence by Fairfield Stallions
Ball taken safely in field of play by Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 15 m line
17:54 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 12 metres gained
Sloppy play by Fairfield Stallions
Wagga Badgers penalised for offside.
PENALTY to Fairfield Stallions
Slick Cupples kicks for touch
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 41 m line
18:36 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 9 metres gained
Sloppy play by Fairfield Stallions
Kick and chase by Fairfield Stallions
Ball rolls over dead ball line
INTERCHANGE: Rocky Elsom ON - Robert Salvatori OFF
Ball on Wagga Badgers 20 m line
19:28 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 18 metres gained
Sloppy play by Wagga Badgers
Kick and chase by Wagga Badgers
Ball picked up in in-goal by Fairfield Stallions
INTERCHANGE: Nathan McMillan ON - Jon Wilkin OFF
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 10 m line
20:17 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 85 metres gained
Bad defence by Wagga Badgers
Fairfield Stallions is attacking the line
Fairfield Stallions puts kick into the in-goal
Great defence by Wagga Badgers
Ball taken safely in field of play by Wagga Badgers
Ball on Wagga Badgers 11 m line
20:41 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 9 metres gained
Sloppy play by Wagga Badgers
Kick and chase by Wagga Badgers
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 24 m line
21:30 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 37 metres gained
Poor defence by Wagga Badgers
Short kick by Fairfield Stallions
Ball taken by Wagga Badgers
Ball on Wagga Badgers 19 m line
22:23 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 66 metres gained
Bad defence by Fairfield Stallions
Wagga Badgers is attacking the line
Great defence by Fairfield Stallions
Ball taken safely in field of play by Fairfield Stallions
INTERCHANGE: Christian Walker ON - Daniel Lemu OFF
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 18 m line
22:44 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 47 metres gained
Poor defence by Wagga Badgers
Short kick by Fairfield Stallions
Ball taken by Wagga Badgers
Ball on Wagga Badgers 26 m line
23:32 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 74 metres gained
Bad defence by Fairfield Stallions
Wagga Badgers is attacking the line
Wagga Badgers puts kick into the in-goal
Great defence by Fairfield Stallions
Fair catch taken in-goal by Fairfield Stallions
Fairfield Stallions takes 20 m tap
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 20 m line
24:31 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 16 metres gained
Great defence by Wagga Badgers
Kick and chase by Fairfield Stallions
INTERCHANGE: Chris Tyrie ON - Mick Higham OFF
Ball on Wagga Badgers 25 m line
25:10 Wagga Badgers: 4 tackles, 66 metres gained
Great run by Mirco Bergamasco
Wagga Badgers is attacking the line
Great defence by Fairfield Stallions
Sam Payne knocks-on
Ball turned over to Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 10 m line
25:48 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 23 metres gained
Lacklustre play by Fairfield Stallions
Kick and chase by Fairfield Stallions
Ball picked up in in-goal by Wagga Badgers
Ball on Wagga Badgers 10 m line
26:24 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 13 metres gained
Great defence by Fairfield Stallions
Kick and chase by Wagga Badgers
Ball picked up in in-goal by Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 10 m line
27:04 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 19 metres gained
Lacklustre play by Fairfield Stallions
Wagga Badgers penalised for offside.
PENALTY to Fairfield Stallions
Chris Tyrie kicks for touch
Ball on Wagga Badgers 48 m line
27:48 Fairfield Stallions: 4 tackles, 32 metres gained
Poor defence by Wagga Badgers
Fairfield Stallions is attacking the line
Great defence by Wagga Badgers
Short kick by Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Wagga Badgers 10 m line
28:33 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 13 metres gained
Great defence by Fairfield Stallions
Wagga Badgers kicks and finds touch
SCRUM: Ball to Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 31 m line
29:13 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 2 metres gained
Sloppy play by Fairfield Stallions
Kick and chase by Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Wagga Badgers 10 m line
29:47 Wagga Badgers: 4 tackles, 3 metres gained
Great defence by Fairfield Stallions
Kick and chase by Wagga Badgers
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 10 m line
30:31 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 5 metres gained
Lacklustre play by Fairfield Stallions
Fairfield Stallions kicks and finds touch
SCRUM: Ball to Wagga Badgers
Scott Magro suffers minor injury.
Ball on Wagga Badgers 25 m line
31:11 Wagga Badgers: 4 tackles, 42 metres gained
Good forward play by Wagga Badgers
Fairfield Stallions penalised for fighting.
PENALTY to Wagga Badgers
James Rowles scores penalty goal
SCORE: 8 - 6
32:11 Fairfield Stallions Kicks off
INTERCHANGE: Robert Salvatori ON - Terry O'Connor OFF
Ball on Wagga Badgers 26 m line
32:42 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 36 metres gained
Poor defence by Fairfield Stallions
Short kick by Wagga Badgers
Ball picked up in in-goal by Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 10 m line
32:53 Fairfield Stallions: 1 tackles, 25 metres gained
Good forward play by Fairfield Stallions
Stuart Kelly knocks-on
Ball turned over to Wagga Badgers
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 35 m line
33:33 Wagga Badgers: 6 tackles, 30 metres gained
Poor defence by Fairfield Stallions
Wagga Badgers is attacking the line
Wagga Badgers runs on the last tackle
Great defence by Fairfield Stallions
Ball turned over to Fairfield Stallions on 6th tackle.
INTERCHANGE: Stefano Saghini ON - Smeds Stahl OFF
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 10 m line
33:47 Fairfield Stallions: 2 tackles, 28 metres gained
Poor defence by Wagga Badgers
Kick and chase by Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Wagga Badgers 14 m line
34:00 Wagga Badgers: 1 tackles, -3 metres gained
Lacklustre play by Wagga Badgers
Forward pass by Sam Payne
SCRUM: Ball to Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Wagga Badgers 11 m line
34:58 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 6 metres gained
Great run by Stuart Kelly
Fairfield Stallions is attacking the line
Fairfield Stallions puts kick into the in-goal
Great defence by Wagga Badgers
Ball taken safely in field of play by Wagga Badgers
INTERCHANGE: Mick Higham ON - Stuart Kelly OFF
Ball on Wagga Badgers 1 m line
35:27 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 59 metres gained
Great line break by Sam Payne
Short kick by Wagga Badgers
Ball taken by Fairfield Stallions
INTERCHANGE: Jon Wilkin ON - Sam Payne OFF
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 10 m line
36:03 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 18 metres gained
Lacklustre play by Fairfield Stallions
Kick and chase by Fairfield Stallions
Ball rolls over dead ball line
Ball on Wagga Badgers 20 m line
36:42 Wagga Badgers: 4 tackles, 53 metres gained
Great line break by Nathan McMillan
Stefano Saghini knocks-on
Ball turned over to Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 27 m line
37:01 Fairfield Stallions: 1 tackles, 28 metres gained
Poor defence by Wagga Badgers
Mick Higham is forced into touch.
SCRUM: Ball to Wagga Badgers
Ball on Wagga Badgers 45 m line
37:36 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 34 metres gained
Good forward play by Wagga Badgers
Short kick by Wagga Badgers
Ball rolls over dead ball line
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 20 m line
38:26 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 15 metres gained
Lacklustre play by Fairfield Stallions
Fairfield Stallions kicks and finds touch
SCRUM: Ball to Wagga Badgers
Ball on Wagga Badgers 14 m line
39:20 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 85 metres gained
Bad defence by Fairfield Stallions
Wagga Badgers is attacking the line
Great defence by Fairfield Stallions
Ball taken safely in field of play by Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 7 m line
39:56 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 3 metres gained
Lacklustre play by Fairfield Stallions
Kick and chase by Fairfield Stallions
***HALF TIME***
Wagga Badgers 8 Fairfield Stallions 6
40:02 Fairfield Stallions Kicks off
Ball on Wagga Badgers 25 m line
40:58 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 70 metres gained
Bad defence by Fairfield Stallions
Wagga Badgers is attacking the line
Great defence by Fairfield Stallions
Ball taken safely in field of play by Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 14 m line
41:23 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 55 metres gained
Great run by Mick Higham
Short kick by Fairfield Stallions
Ball taken by Wagga Badgers
Ball on Wagga Badgers 10 m line
41:59 Wagga Badgers: 4 tackles, 48 metres gained
Bad defence by Fairfield Stallions
Fairfield Stallions penalised for offside.
PENALTY to Wagga Badgers
Nathan McMillan kicks for touch
Ball finds touch 5 m out
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 5 m line
42:40 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 0 metres gained
Great defence by Fairfield Stallions
Wagga Badgers is attacking the line
Great defence by Fairfield Stallions
Ball taken safely in field of play by Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 3 m line
43:00 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 83 metres gained
Great run by Ryan Lawton
Fairfield Stallions is attacking the line
Great defence by Wagga Badgers
Ball taken safely in field of play by Wagga Badgers
Ball on Wagga Badgers 14 m line
43:25 Wagga Badgers: 3 tackles, 39 metres gained
Good forward play by Wagga Badgers
Stefano Saghini knocks-on
Ball turned over to Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 47 m line
44:22 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 18 metres gained
Lacklustre play by Fairfield Stallions
Short kick by Fairfield Stallions
Ball picked up in in-goal by Wagga Badgers
Ball on Wagga Badgers 10 m line
44:33 Wagga Badgers: 1 tackles, 37 metres gained
Great run by David Simmons
Nathan McMillan knocks-on
Ball turned over to Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Wagga Badgers 47 m line
44:56 Fairfield Stallions: 1 tackles, 0 metres gained
Lacklustre play by Fairfield Stallions
Andy Lynch knocks-on
Ball turned over to Wagga Badgers
Ball on Wagga Badgers 47 m line
45:51 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 48 metres gained
Great run by Mixie Lui
Wagga Badgers is attacking the line
Great defence by Fairfield Stallions
Fair catch taken in-goal by Fairfield Stallions
Fairfield Stallions takes 20 m tap
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 20 m line
47:00 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 75 metres gained
Great line break by Mick Higham
Fairfield Stallions is attacking the line
Fairfield Stallions puts kick into the in-goal
Great defence by Wagga Badgers
Ball taken safely in field of play by Wagga Badgers
Ball on Wagga Badgers 4 m line
47:10 Wagga Badgers: 1 tackles, 47 metres gained
Bad defence by Fairfield Stallions
Christian Walker knocks-on
Ball turned over to Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 49 m line
47:34 Fairfield Stallions: 2 tackles, 46 metres gained
Great run by Shane Elford
Fairfield Stallions is attacking the line
Fairfield Stallions has try disallowed by video ref.
Wagga Badgers takes 20 m tap
Ball on Wagga Badgers 20 m line
48:12 Wagga Badgers: 3 tackles, 4 metres gained
Great defence by Fairfield Stallions
Forward pass by Jon Wilkin
SCRUM: Ball to Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Wagga Badgers 24 m line
48:56 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 4 metres gained
Great defence by Wagga Badgers
Fairfield Stallions is attacking the line
Fairfield Stallions puts kick into the in-goal
Great defence by Wagga Badgers
Ball taken safely in field of play by Wagga Badgers
INTERCHANGE: Matt Adamson ON - Chris Tyrie OFF
Ball on Wagga Badgers 3 m line
49:03 Wagga Badgers: 1 tackles, -1 metres gained
Great defence by Fairfield Stallions
Mirco Bergamasco knocks-on
Ball turned over to Fairfield Stallions
INTERCHANGE: Sam Payne ON - Christian Walker OFF
Ball on Wagga Badgers 2 m line
50:07 Fairfield Stallions: 6 tackles, -3 metres gained
Bad defence by Wagga Badgers
Fairfield Stallions is attacking the line
Fairfield Stallions runs on the last tackle
Great defence by Wagga Badgers
Ball turned over to Wagga Badgers on 6th tackle.
Ball on Wagga Badgers 10 m line
50:38 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 85 metres gained
Bad defence by Fairfield Stallions
Wagga Badgers is attacking the line
Great defence by Fairfield Stallions
Fair catch taken in-goal by Fairfield Stallions
Fairfield Stallions takes 20 m tap
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 20 m line
51:21 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 28 metres gained
Poor defence by Wagga Badgers
Fairfield Stallions kicks and finds touch
SCRUM: Ball to Wagga Badgers
Ball on Wagga Badgers 18 m line
52:04 Wagga Badgers: 3 tackles, 30 metres gained
Good forward play by Wagga Badgers
Fairfield Stallions penalised for head-high tackle.
PENALTY to Wagga Badgers
Nathan McMillan kicks for touch
Ball finds touch 6 m out
INTERCHANGE: Terry O'Connor ON - Tony Price OFF
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 6 m line
52:54 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 1 metres gained
Great run by Ruben May
Wagga Badgers is attacking the line
Wagga Badgers puts kick into the in-goal
David Simmons scores a try for Wagga Badgers
SCORE: 12 - 6
Conversion failed
53:54 Fairfield Stallions Kicks off
Ball on Wagga Badgers 19 m line
54:33 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 23 metres gained
Sloppy play by Wagga Badgers
Fairfield Stallions penalised for stealing the ball.
PENALTY to Wagga Badgers
Nathan McMillan kicks for touch
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 34 m line
54:59 Wagga Badgers: 2 tackles, 28 metres gained
Poor defence by Fairfield Stallions
Wagga Badgers is attacking the line
Stefano Saghini scores a try for Wagga Badgers
SCORE: 16 - 6
Try converted by James Rowles
SCORE: 18 - 6
55:59 Fairfield Stallions Kicks off
INTERCHANGE: Stuart Kelly ON - Mick Higham OFF
Ball on Wagga Badgers 13 m line
56:18 Wagga Badgers: 3 tackles, 56 metres gained
Great line break by Jon Wilkin
Mixie Lui knocks-on
Ball turned over to Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 31 m line
57:20 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 44 metres gained
Poor defence by Wagga Badgers
Wagga Badgers penalised for holding the player down.
PENALTY to Fairfield Stallions
Slick Cupples kicks for touch
Ball finds touch 5 m out
Ball on Wagga Badgers 5 m line
58:27 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 0 metres gained
Great run by Rupert Matakamikamica
Wagga Badgers penalised for offside.
PENALTY to Fairfield Stallions
Slick Cupples kicks for touch
Ball finds touch 5 m out
Ball on Wagga Badgers 5 m line
59:07 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, -2 metres gained
Great defence by Wagga Badgers
Fairfield Stallions is attacking the line
Great defence by Wagga Badgers
Ball taken safely in field of play by Wagga Badgers
Ruben May suffers minor injury.
Ball on Wagga Badgers 8 m line
59:29 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 87 metres gained
Great line break by Nathan McMillan
Wagga Badgers is attacking the line
Great defence by Fairfield Stallions
Ball taken safely in field of play by Fairfield Stallions
INTERCHANGE: Christian Walker ON - Sam Payne OFF
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 4 m line
59:55 Fairfield Stallions: 3 tackles, 34 metres gained
Good forward play by Fairfield Stallions
Ryan Lawton knocks-on
Ball turned over to Wagga Badgers
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 38 m line
60:22 Wagga Badgers: 2 tackles, 36 metres gained
Bad defence by Fairfield Stallions
Wagga Badgers is attacking the line
Nathan McMillan scores a try for Wagga Badgers
SCORE: 22 - 6
Try converted by James Rowles
SCORE: 24 - 6
61:22 Fairfield Stallions Kicks off
Ball on Wagga Badgers 15 m line
61:59 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 6 metres gained
Sloppy play by Wagga Badgers
Wagga Badgers kicks and finds touch
SCRUM: Ball to Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Wagga Badgers 38 m line
62:24 Fairfield Stallions: 1 tackles, -3 metres gained
Great defence by Wagga Badgers
Shane Elford knocks-on
Ball turned over to Wagga Badgers
Ball on Wagga Badgers 41 m line
63:15 Wagga Badgers: 4 tackles, 36 metres gained
Good forward play by Wagga Badgers
Fairfield Stallions penalised for play-the-ball infringement.
PENALTY to Wagga Badgers
Nathan McMillan kicks for touch
Ball finds touch 6 m out
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 6 m line
64:17 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 1 metres gained
Poor defence by Fairfield Stallions
Wagga Badgers is attacking the line
Jon Wilkin scores a try for Wagga Badgers
SCORE: 28 - 6
Try converted by James Rowles
SCORE: 30 - 6
65:17 Fairfield Stallions Kicks off
Jamie Fitzgerald suffers minor injury.
Ball on Wagga Badgers 36 m line
65:57 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 59 metres gained
Great run by Mixie Lui
Wagga Badgers is attacking the line
Wagga Badgers puts kick into the in-goal
Great defence by Fairfield Stallions
Fair catch taken in-goal by Fairfield Stallions
Fairfield Stallions takes 20 m tap
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 20 m line
66:23 Fairfield Stallions: 1 tackles, 28 metres gained
Good backline movement by Fairfield Stallions
Stuart Kelly knocks-on
Ball turned over to Wagga Badgers
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 48 m line
66:46 Wagga Badgers: 2 tackles, 43 metres gained
Bad defence by Fairfield Stallions
Wagga Badgers is attacking the line
Wagga Badgers has try disallowed by video ref.
Fairfield Stallions takes 20 m tap
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 20 m line
67:37 Fairfield Stallions: 4 tackles, 42 metres gained
Poor defence by Wagga Badgers
Stuart Kelly knocks-on
SCRUM: Ball to Wagga Badgers
INTERCHANGE: Chris Tyrie ON - Terry O'Connor OFF
Ball on Wagga Badgers 38 m line
68:26 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 57 metres gained
Great line break by Nathan McMillan
Wagga Badgers is attacking the line
Jamie Fitzgerald scores a try for Wagga Badgers
SCORE: 34 - 6
Try converted by James Rowles
SCORE: 36 - 6
69:26 Fairfield Stallions Kicks off
Ball on Wagga Badgers 21 m line
69:47 Wagga Badgers: 2 tackles, 5 metres gained
Sloppy play by Wagga Badgers
Stefano Saghini knocks-on
Ball turned over to Fairfield Stallions
INTERCHANGE: Sam Payne ON - Jon Wilkin OFF
Ball on Wagga Badgers 26 m line
70:20 Fairfield Stallions: 3 tackles, 21 metres gained
Good forward play by Fairfield Stallions
Fairfield Stallions is attacking the line
Great defence by Wagga Badgers
Ryan Lawton knocks-on
Ball turned over to Wagga Badgers
INTERCHANGE: Mick Higham ON - Slick Cupples OFF
Ball on Wagga Badgers 10 m line
71:17 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 65 metres gained
Great line break by Sam Payne
Short kick by Wagga Badgers
Ball rolls over dead ball line
INTERCHANGE: Daniel Lemu ON - Marc Reed OFF
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 20 m line
72:20 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 12 metres gained
Lacklustre play by Fairfield Stallions
Kick and chase by Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Wagga Badgers 10 m line
73:07 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 16 metres gained
Great defence by Fairfield Stallions
Kick and chase by Wagga Badgers
INTERCHANGE: Fabian Devichi ON - Christian Walker OFF
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 10 m line
73:37 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 1 metres gained
Sloppy play by Fairfield Stallions
Kick and chase by Fairfield Stallions
Adrian Vowles suffers minor injury.
INTERCHANGE: Terry O'Connor ON - Chris Tyrie OFF
Ball on Wagga Badgers 48 m line
74:04 Wagga Badgers: 3 tackles, 26 metres gained
Good backline movement by Wagga Badgers
Ruben May knocks-on
Ball turned over to Fairfield Stallions
INTERCHANGE: Smeds Stahl ON - Sam Speedy OFF
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 26 m line
74:38 Fairfield Stallions: 2 tackles, 56 metres gained
Great line break by Terry O'Connor
Fairfield Stallions is attacking the line
Great defence by Wagga Badgers
Rocky Elsom knocks-on
SCRUM: Ball to Wagga Badgers
INTERCHANGE: Tony Price ON - Robert Salvatori OFF
Ball on Wagga Badgers 18 m line
75:26 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 1 metres gained
Sloppy play by Wagga Badgers
Fairfield Stallions penalised for offside.
PENALTY to Wagga Badgers
Nathan McMillan kicks for touch
INTERCHANGE: Sean Ireland ON - Andy Lynch OFF
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 25 m line
76:13 Wagga Badgers: 3 tackles, 20 metres gained
Bad defence by Fairfield Stallions
Wagga Badgers is attacking the line
Great defence by Fairfield Stallions
Ruben May knocks-on
SCRUM: Ball to Fairfield Stallions
INTERCHANGE: Jon Wilkin ON - Stefano Saghini OFF
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 10 m line
76:40 Fairfield Stallions: 3 tackles, 5 metres gained
Great defence by Wagga Badgers
Ryan Lawton knocks-on
Ball turned over to Wagga Badgers
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 15 m line
77:18 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 10 metres gained
Great line break by Sam Payne
Wagga Badgers is attacking the line
Great defence by Fairfield Stallions
Ball taken safely in field of play by Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 15 m line
77:55 Fairfield Stallions: 5 tackles, 4 metres gained
Sloppy play by Fairfield Stallions
Kick and chase by Fairfield Stallions
Ball picked up in in-goal by Wagga Badgers
Ball on Wagga Badgers 10 m line
78:50 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 47 metres gained
Poor defence by Fairfield Stallions
Wagga Badgers kicks and finds touch
SCRUM: Ball to Fairfield Stallions
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 10 m line
79:42 Fairfield Stallions: 4 tackles, 32 metres gained
Poor defence by Wagga Badgers
Stuart Kelly knocks-on
Ball turned over to Wagga Badgers
Ball on Fairfield Stallions 42 m line
80:00 Wagga Badgers: 5 tackles, 1 metres gained
Great defence by Fairfield Stallions
Kick and chase by Wagga Badgers
Ball picked up in in-goal by Fairfield Stallions
*** FULL TIME ***
Wagga Badgers 36 Fairfield Stallions 6
Stats:
------
Wagga Badgers
Tries -
David Simmons
Jamie Fitzgerald
Jon Wilkin x 2
Nathan McMillan
Stefano Saghini
Goals -
James Rowles 6 ( 7 )
Fairfield Stallions
Tries -
Seamus O'Grady
Goals -
Scott Magro 1 ( 1 )
Player of the Match Awards
3 points : Jon Wilkin
2 points : Nathan McMillan
1 point : David Simmons
Penalty Count
Wagga Badgers- 7 : 4 -Fairfield Stallions
Possession (%)
Wagga Badgers- 58 : 41 -Fairfield Stallions
Time in Opposition Half
Wagga Badgers- 47 : 33 -Fairfield Stallions
Handling Errors
Wagga Badgers- 13 : 14 -Fairfield Stallions
Completion Rate (%)
Wagga Badgers- 68 : 63 -Fairfield Stallions
Tackles
Wagga Badgers- 209 : 245 -Fairfield Stallions
Report by Alan Macquarie, Wagga Wagga Daily Advertiser
As the clock ran towards all zeroes, I was expecting a different reaction from Wagga boss Theo Kamis. I expected him to be smiling, at least...
...but here he was, with an unassailable 36-6 lead over Fairfield Stallions, two minutes from time, with a tear in his eye, shaking his head slowly.
Then I saw Dame Judi Dench, the club owner, reacting in just the same manner five metres away. And even halfback Jamie Rooney, standing on the sideline next to his coach, was reacting in the same way.
Given Wagga's wooden spoon last season, Badgers' brain trust decided on a three year plan to build the side up for promotion to the Premiership. That seemed reasonable at the time, especially considering their 0-4 start to this season.
I have to say that, finally, with nothing at all at stake now, it hit them. Wagga Badgers got promoted to the Premiership, on their own merits, and far more convincingly and far more quickly than anyone could have imagined. No one, not even in their wildest dreams, could have guessed this would happen...
...not even with Justin Hayward in the stands here at Telstra tonight.
So, the luxury of a few tears, and a group hug, was clearly warranted. And, as they were all showered with several buckets of Gatorade during it, clearly planned by the Badgers' halfback and his mates...
...and, as the final gun sounded, followed by the prescient choice of music from the Telstra Stadium public address department, Dame Judi and Theo, dripping red Gatorade, were handed bottles of VB, and after a long drink, finally smiled...
...and Theo was seen chuckling as he strode to midfield to shake the hand of his opposite number, Anthony Magro, and his valiant Stallions' side, for the song playing was entirely appropriate, a perfect coda to the Badgers' season...
..."In Your Wildest Dreams", by the Moody Blues....
Nice work, mate. I'll get around to writing a detailed match report over the weekend, just to do justice to the emotional reaction you've given. It's a wonderful underdog story, for sure.
