September will long be remembered as the month that saw the Moranbah Bulldogs soar to victory, with both the U14 and U17 teams achieving Grand Final wins. It was a weekend where grit, teamwork and never-say-die attitudes led to unforgettable moments for the players, coaches and supporters alike.

The U14 Bulldogs, sponsored by Moranbah Mechanical and Towing, took on the Eastern Swans in what can only be described as a David versus Goliath battle. The boys and girls went in as underdogs having not beaten the Swans on three occasions throughout the season and hit the ground running with the first goal by Ryan Van Es.

The Bulldogs led the Swans from the start and remained in control throughout most of the game. The weather played its own part with gusty winds but that didn’t stop the Bulldogs from putting up an impressive fight to keep the Swans without a goal.

“We had to dig deep. We knew we were up against a tough team, but our team stayed composed and focused, even when things weren’t going our way,” said Coach Thommo.

The Swans missed some early opportunities in front of goal at both ends due to strong and relentless pressure from the Bulldogs, the Key players on the day included Beau Thompson who was awarded best on ground medal for his work in the midfield along with Thomas and Lochy Sutton. Caleb Dickson, Henry Pilcher and Kian Parish stepped up in the back line playing key roles.

“The determination I saw out there from the first bounce was incredible. We knew we had to keep the momentum going knowing they come at us at some stage. We wanted one more crack at the Swans. The team gave everything they had, and everyone played their role.”

The U14s finished with score of 8.3.53 to 0.3.3, leaving no doubt that they deserved the win.

Meanwhile, the U17 Bulldogs, proudly sponsored by Extreme Mining Services, were locked in their own battle against the North Mackay Saints. The Saints were first to strike, kicking three goals in the opening quarter, but the Bulldogs responded swiftly, levelling the score with two goals of their own by the quarter-time break.

The second quarter saw both teams engage in a tight contest, but it was the Saints who managed to inch ahead with a 7-point lead at halftime.

“At that point, we had to regroup and focus on what we do best. We spoke about keeping our heads down, working hard, and making every possession count,” said U17 Coach Lee Parker.

That strategy paid off in the second half, as the Bulldogs slowly chipped away at the Saints’ lead. As the game entered its final minutes, the Saints were poised for victory but thanks to some great playing from Lincoln Nicholas, Cody Kimber, Joel Trease, Riley Hodgkinson and Andrew Dyer, they set up Riley King for a goal which gave the Bulldogs a 2-point lead, sealing the win with only seconds to spare.

“It’s hard to describe the emotion in that moment. We’d been fighting all game, and to win like that – snatching victory at the last second – made it all the sweeter. I couldn’t be prouder of this team’s heart and determination. Congratulations also to Jay Pietzner who was awarded the best on ground medal for his tireless work in defence.”

For both the U14 and U17 Bulldogs, these wins represent more than just championships. They are a testament to the hard work, perseverance and unwavering support from the entire club community. From the parents to the coaches and everyone involved behind the scenes, these victories belong to the whole Bulldogs family.

“These are the moments that will stay with the players for years to come,” added Coach Thommo.

“It’s not just about the wins; it’s about how we played, how we supported each other, and how we grew as a team.”