Contenders confirmed on penultimate day at Koori Knockout

Jarred Cross Published October 7, 2024 at 6.30am (AWST)

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More than 100 teams have shaven down to a handful with everything on the table in Bathurst. Pictured: Cronulla half Will Kennedy with WAC. (Image: Joseph Guenzler)

Defending men's champions Walgett Aboriginal Connection are two games away from going back-to-back, as semi finalists booked their spot in the final across the board on day three of the Koori Knockout in Bathurst on Sunday.

In the pool finals, Blacktown Red Belly Warriors, Bourke Warriors and Nanima Common Connection progressed through with WAC to round out the final four.

After conceding first points to Boomerangs Sports Club, WAC put on 22 unanswered points to run out winners.

"If we can get through that one, then we'll see how we go tomorrow," a reserved George Rose, Manly NRL icon and Walgett veteran, told National Indigenous Times ahead of the game.

Boomerangs - featuring Newcastle Knights, All Stars, and Maroons winger Dane Gagai, had stormed into the fixture with a 40-0 thumping over Castlereagh All Blacks, while WAC maintained bragging rights in a hotly-anticipated 2023 grand final replay with Wiradjuri Aboriginal Rivers in front of a pack crowd earlier in the afternoon.

They'll meet with Blacktown Red Belly Warriors - who failed to capitalise further on controlling their pool final against Dindima, but still managed a 18-6 win.

"These guys that I've gone to school with and played footy with growing up, to come and put the same jersey on and have another run with each other, It's pretty special," Dragons NRL forward and Blacktown player Tyrell Fuimaono told National Indigenous Times.

"Coming back to Knockout every year, I never miss one. It's good to reconnect with family and watch our boys have a good crack...we've got so much talent there".

*Blacktown Red Belly Warriors (making tackle) will play in Monday's men's semis. (Image: Joseph Guenzler)*

Bourke Warriors - who's women's side also made it to the final four, are set to meet Tyrone Peachy's Nanima on Monday after both registered wins in Sunday's final games.

It took a comeback victory over Knights player-coach pairing Bradman Best and Ronald Griffiths for Nanima to move forward.

In the women's division, Redfern All Blacks look a hefty task for anyone to beat, while Cabbage Tree Island and Darkinjung Waters and Bourke all earned semis showings.

RAB are looking to go one better after falling short to Newcastle Yowies in a dramatic grand final last year.

Boys and Girls underage finalists have all been confirmed.