April has officially arrived, and for Canberrans that means Canberra Region Rugby League is back. But no competition is more fierce than the Blumers Lawyers Canberra Raiders Reserve Grade Cup.
The competition gathers the best up-and-coming footy players from Canberra clubs and surrounding regions as they battle it out to lift the prestigious Blumers Lawyers Trophy.
For the Gungahlin Bulls, however, it’s unfinished business. Touted to raise the cup in 2024, they fell agonisingly short in the grand final to the Woden Rams 32-26.
Now, with the 2025 season officially kicking off this weekend, many players, supporters and locals are left wondering: Where do the Gunghalin Bulls sit in the competition?
The Bulls were matched up against the Tuggeranong Bushrangers for the first round of the season at the Gunghalin Enclosed Oval, located just outside the concrete jungle of “Gunners”.
The Bushrangers are known to be no push-overs, with the boys from down south gaining a reputation of holding their own against the best in the competition.
Player and coach of the Bulls, Jayden Grocott, had the role of leading the boys on the field and in the sheds during the match, but when compared to the 2024 squad there were a lot of new faces.
“For the boys in that (2024 grand final) we want to get back there, this hit-out gives a good gauge of how important these new boys are”
Jayden Grocott (7) Gungahlin Bulls
First half
It was a pristine 23 degrees on Saturday 5 April with not a cloud in the sky, setting the scene for what was set to be a blockbuster.
As both Tuggeranong and Gungahlin ran out onto the field to the tune of Joker and the Thief by Wolfmother, the stands were buzzing.
Kicker for the Gungahlin Bulls, fullback Travis Vawdon (1) set the ball on the tee, before booting it down to the southern end of the oval.
Game on!
The game was grindy from the get go. Tuggeranong’s focus on utilising under-balls was working Gungahlin’s middles, whilst the Bulls were pushing their edges through their second rowers.
After a dominating set through Tuggeranong’s middle, a botched penalty kick from the Bulls gave the Bushrangers the ball back unexpectedly. With a few flashy steps from Jayden Norgrove (2) it resulted in a try in the corner, and with a successful conversion from William O’Malley (5) the Tuggeranong side opened the scoring.
Gungahlin needed to make a statement. The game was open to whoever could set the tone following the restart. Bulls’ Lionel Saddler (11) recognised this and put on a monster shot responding to Tuggeranong’s brash try.
With some hard hitting footy now in full swing, the Bulls found themselves trying to break into the Bushrangers try line. After holding out a strong set, Tuggeranong pulled a penalty which gave Gungahlin a chance to get over that white line.
A hard run from Lachie Ford (15) a shake and bake from Jayden
Grocott (7) and a magical short ball from the ruck put Bulls fullback Travis Vawdon (1) over, converting his own try to tie it up.
It was clear that Tuggeranong felt that with rolling penalties following some discipline issues, the Bulls were controlling the flow of the game. Some outside speed from Ethan Small (6) put Gungahlin over for a second try with the conversion being nailed by Travis Vawdon (1).
The big hits were coming left, right and centre from Tuggeranong, turning it into a physical affair. Gungahlin however was controlling the narrative, a lovely set piece and a monstrous run from Bulls Dave Williams (21) put Gungahlin over for another try (16-6)
Despite Tuggeranong’s violent hits, the Bulls ability to beat them around the middle of the field was calling the shots. With the locals well into their game plan they aimed to execute.
Following a strong barrage of sets from Gungahlin, a stagnated grubber kick from Ethan Small (6) stopped dead in its tracks just in front of the line, where Kyle Moir (14) grabbed the ball and beat a defender to score.
Following a Tuggeranong set, a failed interception and unconfident offload resulted in a knock on.
The ref blew the whistle and both teams headed for the sheds.
Half time
Both teams could see a win, and each coach delivered confident messages for their squads. After a couple of minutes break they were ready to get back to it.
“We could smell blood, the boys could sense it too. I just wanted to keep the pressure on the throat, as long as we kept beating them through the middle we could showcase our speed outside”
Jayden Grocott (7) Gungahlin Bulls
“Penalties were killing us but we had them physically, our hits were stunning them a bit. We just needed to keep that up and execute those set pieces.”
Michael Brophy (coach) Tuggeranong Bushrangers
Second half
As both teams exited the sheds, they looked fired up. And as Tuggeranong kicked off, it was back to the physical footy of that first half.
After some grindy back and forth, Tuggeranong got the first hit. A strong set followed by a kick that sat up nicely, it gave the Bushrangers the ball back with a dominant field position on the 10m line.
With a fiery set piece Tuggeranong’s Julian Haywood-Whiley (7) skipped out of the ruck to sneak in for a try.
The Bushrangers could feel the momentum shift and Gungahlin began to slide. A failed downfield drive from the Bulls showed no grit and following a high-shot from Gungahlin, it gave Tuggeranong all the signals that they could turn the game around.
Gungahlin couldn’t catch a break, a physical contest in the mid-field saw Bulls winger Kai Pennay (5) get 10 in the bin for lifting. The home faithful were not impressed, voicing their disappointment.
Now a man down, the Bulls had to get back in the competition. Thankfully, with a lucky dropped ball on the Bulls’ try line, a rewarding penalty and 20 meter kick, the game had been flipped on its head and Tuggeranong was now on the back-foot!
Three penalties later, the Bulls were looking at the Bushrangers try line. With a strong palm off from three defenders, Gungahlin’s Jeffery Pehara (2) ran over for a try, despite having one less player on the field.
The now confident Bulls put the pedal to the metal, as they began to bash the Bushrangers all over the park. Some freak speed and try from Gungahlin Kane Allen (19) and mesmerising footwork into a try for Kyle Moir (14) took the score to 36-12.
As Tuggeranong’s fresh legs entered the game it turned back into a grind, with both teams bashing each other through the middle. Each line break resulted in immediate impact, no matter who had the ball.
With some strong runs, Tuggeranong found themselves just in front of the Bulls try line, but a botched kick into a Gungahlin winger gave the Bulls a get out of jail free card.
Following a hit-up, a Bulls forward broke through, running 40m before punching a kick downfield. The kick was then picked up by Gungahlin and a slick off resulted in the Bulls running straight for the line. But a desperate tackle from the Bushrangers stopped the Bulls just before going over.
With a close try, Tuggeranong hung on to push it back down field. Tuggeranong’s Kai Callaway (13) put Jayden Norgrove (2) through a gap crossing over for a try, a revenge punch that came too late.
With 4.30 left on the clock it was just a matter of winding it down for the Bulls. A kick-off back to the Bulls and a short set later, the Bushrangers had the ball, throwing everything they could at them.
But with a knock on a couple of plays later, the players heads and shoulders drop as the final seconds counted down. With the ref blowing the whistle as they entered the scrum, it was game over. The Bulls had won.
Both teams shook hands and exited the field, with their first game of the season done and dusted.
With jubilation from the home crowd, and the Gungahlin Bulls walking away with the two points, it was exciting footy. Not clinical, but exciting none the less.
Post-game
The Gungahlin Bulls look like they haven’t skipped a beat, their bashing playstyle through their second rowers creating all the space they needed before utilising their rapid backline, edging out the Bushrangers.
“Nothing but respect for the boys, there was moments where they definitely tested us and we came back, just as hard.”
Jayden Grocott (7) Gungahlin Bulls
Tuggeranong on the other hand, who tested Gungahlin physically with their tackles, lost the game through ill discipline and being outworked through their edges.
However, their strong forward presence on the field and surprising backline coordination showed promise, especially for an opening hit out.
“For a first hit out it was good to see us get into a groove, sure our mistakes cost us but we gave it to them and if their the best in our competition then its good signs for us moving forward.”
Michael Brophy (coach) Tuggeranong Bushrangers
The Bulls are the real deal. If this game was anything to go by their ability to stay composed saw them through until the final whistle. Showing good things to come and possibly a ticket into the finals.
But, only time will tell.
Gungahlin is set to face the Tuggeranong Bushrangers again for Round 10 on June 21st. Taking place at Greenway oval in Tuggeranong. It’s shaping up to be another stellar hit-out, showcasing how both are travelling this season.
Photos and video by David Cass