The iPhone photos of game-breaker Seru Uru and Wests’ delirious celebrations weren’t even possible when the club last won the premiership 16 years ago.
The tech staple of modern life was a year off being released when the Bulldogs last toasted a title in 2006 which tells you everything about how long Sunday afternoon’s emotions had been pent-up.
The Bulldogs won a high-class club grand final 44-27 after trailing 20-13 just after half-time with only 14 men while Wallaby winger Filipo Daugunu was in the sin bin.
It took a bulldozing final 30 minutes of pack power and holding their nerve for the Bulldogs to finally celebrate with Queensland’s StoreLocal Hospital Cup at Suncorp Stadium.
After full-time, half a grandstand of ecstatic Wests’ fans belted out “Take Me Home Sylvan Road", the club song adapted from the highly sing-able John Denver classic.
Queensland Reds No.8 Uru did more than anyone to get the trophy home to the club’s headquarters at Sylvan Road where a 4am license suggested the party was just starting, a more than deserving Tony Shaw Medallist as player of the grand final.
His off-loading game and one explosive 35m run from nothing were hints that he might change the game. He did at the 71-minute mark.
UQ were still very much in it at 30-27 at that point before Uru sheered off a rolling maul and plunged over for a decisive 37-27 margin.
The beaming Uru admitted he wasn’t even sure he’d be fit to play because of surgery to repair a finger issue and the past month on the sidelines.
In the end, he was the same X-factor he proved to be in Easts’ 2020 premiership side. The grand final was only his second game for Wests but he played as if he had a bulldog tattooed on both arms.
Forward leader Connor Anderson was superb, try-scoring Melbourne Rebels hooker Jordan Uelese made a powerful 30-minute cameo off the bench, captain Sione Latu Talakai made his 135kg count at scrum time and young 2m Fijian lock Angelo Smith auditioned to be a smart club’s next Super Rugby Pacific catch for 2023.
No one in the Bulldogs’ side knew more about what this club has been through to get to the summit than reserve backrower Harry Higgins who announced his retirement post-game.
He was at the club more than a decade ago when debt, creditors, a jaded clubhouse and last place had the club closer to being wound up than any revival.
“I wanted to finish my rugby where I started,” said Higgins, who returned from the US for a final season at 31.
“There have been so many personal sacrifices, health issues overcome and hardships within this whole playing group and club. This is the ultimate outcome and pay back to everyone at the club who has stuck with the Bulldogs for the past 16 years.”
Wests’ impressive new clubhouse is now a beacon for all clubs in Brisbane. It was heart, not the bricks and mortar, which counted at Suncorp Stadium.
“This is unbelievable. It’s been such a great year and a club effort all the way,” centre Isaac Henry said.
UQ got the rocket of a start they wanted after two minutes. A Joe Pincus pop ball put Wallaby squad fullback Jock Campbell over for 5-0. Hooker Cam Flavell scored a rolling maul try for 10-3.
UQ flanker Connor Mitchell disrupted two attacking mauls and his team’s 17-13 lead at half-time was well deserved.
Daugunu’s trip of Tate McDermott could have been costly. His yellow card just made 14 Wests players lift.
Giant Rebels prop Eloff crashed over after centreVilikesaRaboiliku’s two excellent touches in the lead-up. Three minutes later, winger Ben Navosailagi was scooting 40m for an intercept try after roping in a Nick Jooste cutout pass.
The Bulldogs led 27-20 at that point but a Sam Wallis try locked the scores at 27-all entering the high stakes final quarter of the grand final.
The Bulldogs found the extra gear through the power of their pack. The Uru try pretty much sealed it. Uelese’s try meant celebrations could start three minutes early.
“We won it through our big boys. They put the nail down in the second half,” flyhalf Carter Gordon said.
“The culture of the club is really positive. We’ve come a long way in my four years at the club.”
Gordon was subbed off with 10 minutes to play which meant younger brother Mason got to taste the victory as well.
Wests President Graham Brown couldn’t stop smiling and paid particular credit to coaches Elwee Prinsloo, Daryl McNamara and Cassidy Holland.
“We had to turn the club around and we did with the clubhouse redevelopment five years ago. To see the Wests crowd, the old boys turning out and this win is massive,” Brown said.
It was a wonderful weekend of nine grand finals across grades, Colts and the women’s competition in Brisbane.
It had everything from Junior Wallaby Louis Werchon slotting a field goal after the bell to win Brothers a 37-36 thriller over Souths in reserve grade to veteran Easts lock Greg Riley winning his first premiership at 40 in third grade after starting .
On Sunday, Bond University won their first women’s title 25-12, from 12-0 down, thanks to the pace and alertness of standout Queensland Reds centre Mel Wilks.
In Colts 1, the familiar name of Lynagh held aloft a trophy again. Flyhalf Tom Lynagh, just 18, speared over for a try and distributed the ball crisply in Uni’s 22-all shared premiership with Easts.
That was the one muddled emotion of the weekend. How do we expect the stars of tomorrow in Australia to be prepared for their golden-point futures when our best Under-20 players play with no tie-breakers? No extra time. Poor rule. Pfft.
Wests 44 (B Navosailagi, A Smith, C Eloff, S Uru, J Uelese tries; C Whiteside 5 con, 3 pen goals) beat University of Queensland 27 (J Campbell, C Flavell, B Twidale, S Wallis tries; N Jooste con, pen goal, K Oates con). Half-time: UQ 17-13
