Norths Devils have reached the off-season armed with the first NRL State Championship in the club’s history.
The Devils fought hard on rugby league’s biggest stage as they turned a late deficit into a stirring 20-18 win over Newtown Jets on NRL Grand Final day at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Sunday.
This was a come-from-behind win built on the determination that drove the Devils through another unbeaten Hostplus Cup finals campaign two weeks earlier.
The NRL State Championship will now stay with the three Queensland Cup trophies won by the Devils in 2021, 2022 and 2024 in a period of success for the club and its northside community.
The Devils were emotional after claiming the NRL State Championship, becoming the first Queensland team since 2015 to win the showdown with the NSW Cup premiers.
A team including teachers, electricians, a firefighter and a physiotherapist, along with the outstanding contributions of the Devils’ four NRL Dolphins players, overcame the Sharks’ reserve grade team stacked with fulltime rugby league players.
“This win means a lot to plenty of people and we’re just grateful that we had the chance to do this together,” Devils captain Kierran Moseley said.
Second-rower Oryn Keeley stamped the Devils’ mark on the game when he burst on to Jack Wright’s short ball in the 75th minute for his second try.
Keeley was named player of the match for his efforts which included a jinking run through multiple Jets defenders to score beneath the posts in the 56th minute as the Devils fought back from 18-10 down against the NSW Cup champions.
“It’s really special,” Devils coach Dave Elliott said.
“We came down here with a purpose and we came down with a quiet confidence which our group has had all year.
“We had a whole lot of respect for Newtown because they’re a great side and we realised it would come down to a try either way.”
The Devils burst out of the blocks when Jack Ahearn’s pass found a charging Jeremiah Simbiken for the game’s first try after five minutes.
The Devils looked set to score again when Ahearn chose not to kick on the last tackle, instead finding fullback Jordan Lipp who sprinted clear only for a pass to fall to ground.
The Jets then dominated field position and possession, making the most of a superb try from a kick when they ran the length of the field despite the Devils’ desperate defensive efforts.
But Keeley and Lipp combined for a try in the shadows of halftime that gave the visitors the platform they needed for the second half.
The Devils had to be patient in this match.
They had piled on 126 points in their three Hostplus Cup finals victories but the opportunities were harder to come by in the sun in Sydney.
And they had to defend their line, holding Newtown scoreless for the last 35 minutes of the match to secure the win.
The Devils celebrated the win into the night, knowing that some of their teammates will have new homes next year.
Tesi Niu and Cooper Jenkins are headed for the UK Super League while the busy off-season recruiting season is underway.
NORTHS DEVILS 20 (Oryn Keeley 2, Jeremiah Simbiken, Jordan Lipp tries, Lipp 2 goals) bt NEWTOWN JETS 18 (Samuel Stonestreet 3, Niwhai Puru tries, Puru goal) at Accor Stadium, Sydney.