The several home games covered by NOTA were always spectacular affairs, as this U13s team showed prowess and skills on the field that were second to none.

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After defeating Swansea with the mercy rule at 60-0 two weeks prior, the U13s were ready and raring to go for their
Grand Final match against the Belmont Sharks in Belmont.

The Sharks had inflicted the Hawks’ only loss of the 2024 season, by a mere four points, in a June meeting of the sides.

This time the gap was even narrower, but the Hawks pulled through in a tough fight to sweep the victory by two points, winning 12-10.

The U13s finished the regular season clear at the top of the ladder, with no less than five games ending early due to the ‘mercy rule’ – meaning the Hawks had scored 60 points or more before full-time.

The Hawks did not concede a single point in their final six season games, a run stretching from late July to the semi-final win over Swansea.

Alex Saunders finished the season atop the league’s ‘Top Tries’ ladder with an incredible 30 tries.

Kyzaiah Simms (28 tries) finished third, with Jaiv Murphy at equal sixth (15 tries).

Saunders, who was named the Man of the Match for the Grand Final, also topped the ‘Top Points’ rankings with 232 total season points.

Kyzaiah Simms finished third with 112 points for the year.

In related news, Shaqueil Saunders, who has been closely associated with coaching the U13s Juniors this year, was awarded three gongs for the entire Seniors C-Grade Competition.

At a presentation night at the Mex Club in Mayfield, Shaq received ‘Best and Fairest’, ‘Top Points’ (140), and ‘Top Try Scorer’ (14), which the Club describes as “a testament to his dedication and outstanding achievements in football”.

By Thomas O’KEEFE