Nanango Stags Muzzle Bulldogs

Nanango Stags’ Mac Smith and Hudson Demnar with the Under 14s Grand Final trophy

September 1, 2025

Nanango were out to prove a point in the South Burnett Rugby League’s Under 14s Grand Final, played at Cherbourg on Saturday.

The young Stags went through the regular season undefeated, only to lose 8-0 in a low-scoring Major Semi-Final on August 16 to the Chinchilla Bulldogs.

So they were keen to gain an early upper hand when they met the Bulldogs again on Saturday.

Harry George put the first points on the board for Nanango after just nine minutes, followed three minutes later by Cohen Webb.

Wind whipping across the ground, with the occasional flurry of dust, made kicking difficult for both sides but Nanango’s Mac Smith landed the second conversion.

But Chinchilla hit back quickly when Fletcher Davies crossed and James Thomson converted.

Chinchilla went straight back on the attack just before half-time but a knock-on at the line forced a changeover just when they looked certain to score.

Nanango went into the break with a narrow 10-6 lead, much closer than their earlier form during the year might have suggested.

After the break, Chinchilla continued their attack, with a try by fullback Cooper Cobb, converted by Thomson, putting the Bulldogs ahead 12-10.

Four minutes later, the Bulldogs were almost in again in the corner, but it was ruled no try.

Chinchilla then looked to be in a strong position again when a Stags’ player was sin-binned with 11 minutes left on the clock.

But the Stags were not giving up and, after gaining good ground through a penalty kick to the sideline, went back to attacking the Bulldogs’ line.

With less than five minutes to go, a Stags player was held up over the line. Regathering quickly, Nanango passed the ball through several hands to Cooper Thornton, who forced his way through strong Bulldogs’ defence to ground the ball near the corner post.

Captain Hudson Demnar’s conversion was good, just whizzing over the crossbar within millimetres of taking off the paint …

Chinchilla tried to fight back but ran out of time, with the final score Nanango 16 – Chinchilla 12.

Nanango tries were scored by Harry George, Cohen Webb and Cooper Thornton. Mac Smith and Hudson Demnar each kicked one conversion.

Chinchilla try scorers were Fletcher Davies and Cooper Cobb. James Thomson kicked two conversions.

Nanango players celebrate with a team photo after their Grand Final victory

The U14 Stags run on to the field through a specially made banner

Chinchilla supporters applaud as the U14 Bulldogs enter the field

Harry George dives to score in the corner for Nanango, putting the first points on the board in the Grand Final

Cohen Webb runs towards the try line to record the Stags’ second try

Cooper Thornton forces the ball to the ground to give Nanango back the lead (and the win) late in the game

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Presentations

Presentations were made after the Grand Final by South Burnett Rugby League president Greg Pomfret and vice-president Scott Prendergast.

Greg told the players that “cream rises to the top” and there had been two very good teams on the ground at Cherbourg which had played the best football they possibly could have.