Dream come true for Gillham as grand final appearance looms

Written by Geoff Newling

Matt Gillham never thought he’d be playing in a Group 4 Rugby League first grade grand final.

The Boggabri farmer’s wildest dreams were answered at Werris Creek’s David Taylor Park on Saturday when the Boggabri Kangaroos beat Werris Creek Magpies 26-20 in an amazing Preliminary Final.

The two sides were locked at 20-all after the regular 80 minutes before a Robert Doolan try in the south-western corner settled the issue in extra time.

Boggabri celebrated after holding the Magpies out during the rest of the overtime period.

Not only was it the first time they had ever beaten the Magpies at Werris Creek, but it earned them their first grand final appearance in almost 60 years.

The Roos won back-to-back premierships in 1963 and 1964, and they now have the chance to earn another premiership if they can upset minor premiers Moree Boars at Moree this Saturday.

For Gillham, the joy of winning last Saturday covered several posts. Just the fact he was part of a side that created a little history by winning at the Creek for the first time was satisfying. Winning a berth in a grand final, he had always thought a bridge too far another. But to be captain of the Roos as well, to be able to lead them onfield and battle for that premiership so rewarding.

“I can’t believe it,” he said after the six-point win.

“All these years. We never thought we’d make a grand final but we showed the guts and determination today. We played some good football and, as a team, we kept turning up so.”

Gillham is a key man in the Roos lineup too. Not only captain but hooker and dummy half. He is versatile and fit, so much so that he often moves from dummy half to the back row during games.

That gives coach Shane Rampling the chance to make other positional changes as well.

Gillham also recognizes the efforts of others in the Roos lineup too.

“Little Joe is unreal,” he says of Josefa Goanduadua, who has been scoring tries on a regular basis, the winger a real threat with his speed on the left wing.

Centre Pita Rogasau, too, as well as prop Nick Millar.

“Nick keeps turning up for us,” he said of the prop who takes the Roos forward and provides a launching pad.

And also young fullback Ash White, who defused a number of tense situations by fielding bouncing balls at full speed.

“He just keeps improving each week,” Gillham said of the number one.

“Made all those plays under pressure.”