September 6, 2026
Kingaroy proved that finishing as Minor Premiers was no fluke on Saturday when they lifted the South Burnett Rugby League’s A Grade Grand Final trophy at Blackbutt.
But the 16-12 scoreline wasn’t an easy victory for the Red Ants who were tested by the Murgon Mustangs throughout the game, including within minutes of full-time.
Both sides scored three tries apiece.
Murgon’s pathway to the Grand Final wasn’t easy, requiring victories in the sudden-death Minor Semi-Final and Preliminary Final after enjoying a late-season surge.
The Mustangs also began the Grand Final – held at the Ian “Bunny” Pearce Oval – with a rush.
Just five minutes into the game, Sam Davis managed to ground the ball over the line under a heap of Kingaroy bodies.
Murgon continued strongly for the next 20 minutes, just failing when an across-field kick went into touch instead of finding the waiting hands on the wing.
Kingaroy’s Jaspar Millar was next to score, and Marcus Jensen’s conversion put the Red Ants ahead 6-4, which was the half-time tally.
Kingaroy were also unlucky in the first half when an unmarked player dived over the line in the corner, but it was ruled a no try.
At the start of the second half, Murgon went on the attack, but a try attempt was ruled a knock-on.
Kingaroy struck back almost immediately with fullback Marcus Jensen scoring and converting his own try.
Murgon’s attacking runs continued to test the Red Ants’ defence but were failing at key points with knock-ons or passes into touch.
With 23 minutes left in the game, Murgon again crossed the line but were called back.
When Kingaroy regained the ball, a zig-zagging run upfield by Jensen, shrugging off tackles on the way, led to a pass to Killian Klease and a try in the corner. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful, with the score remaining 16-4.
Murgon regained the initiative for the rest of the game, with Will Webber scoring and then a desperate try by Jameel Sullivan right on the siren, putting victory almost within reach at 16-12.
South Burnett Rugby League president Scott Prendergast said it had been an amazing game and an amazing season, especially with the reintroduction of teams from Nanango and Blackbutt.
He said the six-team A Grade competition had also been very close, with spectators never knowing from week to week who was going to win.
“And that’s what you want when you run a footy comp so congratulations everybody,” he said.
Scott also thanked the Blackbutt-Yarraman Timbertowners’ club for hosting the Grand Final.
NB. Watch for our report of the Under 14 Grand Final.
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Grand Final Gallery
Thanks for the excellent write-up about this game and the terrific photos. And well done Blackbutt on hosting a grand final.