Wiradjuri Aboriginal Rivers are Koori Knockout men's champions for the first time, as Bourke Warriors fall heartbreakingly short for a second year and Newcastle Yowies defend their title in the women's draw on Worimi Country.
WAR half Gerome Burns put his side on his back with a grand final hattrick in the 26-6 win on Monday afternoon.
It's the side's first men's titles after falling short at the pointy end in recent years.
Buoyed by the likes of former NRL forwards Andrew and David Fifita (the former Shark and Super League player, not current Souths second rower), Brent Naden and Tyrelle Sloan in their lineup, WAR broke a hoodoo of losses to Walgett Aboriginal Connection in consecutive years.
The hero, Burns, clinched the title just 18 months after medically retiring from rugby league while in the NRL system.
At South Sydney as a development player, knee troubles forced him to hang up the boots for a time.
Burns crossed over for the first half's sole points five minutes out from half time after an early arm wrestle.
Bourke Warriors' Cameron Dennis evened up the contest after repeated sets in dangerous territory five minutes into the second half, though WAR later took control and sealed the title with time on the clock.
It proved a cruel end for Bourke, having been pipped by one point in last year's final against Newcastle Yowies, and with injuries through the tournament and with the final taking their toll.
It's WAR's first-ever Koori Knockout title, handing them bragging rights over the 60-plus men's sides who competed in Raymond Terrace.
They lost the 2023 final, bowed out in the final eight in 2025 and one round earlier in 2024, each time to heavyweights WAC.
Bourke had similarly come so close without the ultimate prize in recent years.
They'd come into the decider after a solid 30-4 win over Newcastle All Blacks in Monday morning's semi.
WAR did it a little harder, with a 16-10 win over Redfern All Blacks.
The hosts, Newcastle Yowies, take home back-to-back silverware after their senior women's team lifted consecutive trophies.
They downed Redfern All Blacks 14-6 on Monday afternoon.
Yowies winger Grace Langdon had a double on the left side to lead her team to the triumph.
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It was a tougher pill to swallow for their men's side, who's title defence ended on day one.
Former world cup winner Caitlan Johnston-Green and fellow former Jillaroo Caitlin Mora were out there for the Yowies, the latter seen in tears after the win.
The Yowies and Redfern All Blacks met in the 2023 final, with the same result.
Narwan Connections claimed the Under 17s boys title, Dunghutti victors in the 17s girls, La Perouse Panthers doing the job in the under 15 boys.
The Yowies had two more titles in the under ages.
"I'm speechless. To never think I'm going to play footy again, to coming and doing this for WAR and my mob, I'm just so proud," men's grand final hero Burns told NITV's coverage post-grand final.
It's everything (to win the Knockout). We've only only been around for a short time, but this has been building that whole time, and now we got one."
WAR now take hosting rights, as always in the carnival dating back more than half a century.
