By Angus Hayman

Two dazzling preliminary finals have set up a mouthwatering Colts Grand Final between Gordon and Randwick. The Galloping Greens survived a late Warringah fightback to win 36-31, while Gordon produced one of the comebacks of the season to overturn a 22-point deficit and beat Easts 47-43. 

For Warringah, a slow start ultimately proved too costly despite a huge second-half fightback. Easts looked destined for the Grand Final for most of their clash with Gordon, only for the Highlanders to storm home in the final 20 minutes. Now, Gordon and Randwick meet with the Colts premiership on the line.

Randwick 36 – 31 Warringah

Randwick booked their place in the Colts Grand Final with a 36-31 win over Warringah at Coogee Oval, but the Rats will be wondering what might have been after a slow start nearly cost them.

Warringah opened the scoring through a Harrison Dene penalty goal after an early Randwick high tackle, but from there the minor premiers took complete control. Warringah’s ill-discipline handed Randwick regular territory and the home side made it count, with Zion Poitaha crashing over from a pick-and-go, Tyler Maybery finishing a rolling maul and Luca Clevery barging through from close range.

At 17-3, Warringah finally found some rhythm through their forward leaders. Aron Brennan and Nick Hill began making serious inroads, repeatedly putting Randwick under pressure. The home defence held firm, but Clevery was eventually sent to the sin bin.

Even a man down could not stop Randwick’s attack, with Laurence Kiely finishing a broken-play move just before half-time to make it 24-3.

The Rats finally clicked after the break. Riley Osborne powered over from a rolling maul before Riley Whitfield raced onto a chip and bounced through contact for an 80-metre try, bringing the margin back to 24-17.

Randwick hit back through another pick-and-go, but Warringah kept coming. Nick Hill and Nathaniel Thomas powered over to level the scores at 31-all.

With the game there to be won, Bailey Roberts-Lintmeijer burst 60 metres before being pulled down, with Whitfield sent to the bin for a try-saving tackle moments later.

Randwick then turned to their rolling maul once more, Charlie Tanner finishing the job to restore the lead. Warringah had one last chance, but Randwick’s defence held firm to send them into the Grand Final.

Easts 43 – 47 Gordon

Gordon completed one of the great Colts comebacks to book a Grand Final ticket against Randwick, overturning a 22-point deficit to defeat Easts 47-43 at Rat Park.

Easts started brightly, with Jonty Fowler breaking the line before drawing the final defender and putting Arthur Greer over. Gordon responded through their own scrumhalf magic, Liam Walsh showing and going himself to score under the posts.

Then came Easts’ best spell of the afternoon. Their rolling maul delivered one try, William Lloyd powered over from a brutal pick-and-go and Angus Newman produced a strong carry before an excellent offload put Flynn Farrell over. Suddenly Easts were 26-7 ahead.

Walsh sparked Gordon’s response, taking a quick tap and catching Easts napping before finding Mitchell Holmes on his inside. Easts hit back through another maul, while Gordon prop Justin Amituanai was sent to the sin bin, giving the Highlanders a mountain to climb at half-time.

With Amituanai off, Easts dominated the set piece early in the second half. A scrum penalty led to a clever tap-and-go move finished by Aston Weir, stretching the lead further.

The sides then traded short-range tries as the game became a territory battle, with Easts holding a 43-21 advantage and just 20 minutes remaining.

Then Gordon produced something special.

Amituanai returned and immediately made an impact with a powerful carry, before Ezekiel Logo finished another pick-and-go. At 43-35 with seven minutes left, the comeback was suddenly real.

Birnie’s kicking game began pinning Easts back, while the Beasties’ set piece started to creak. An intercept eventually sent Max Roach racing down the wing before a quick pass from Walsh put the scrumhalf over for his second.

Gordon entered the final moments three points behind and camped on the Easts line. The home defence repelled wave after wave, but Amituanai proved to be too strong as he burrowed over to complete the extraordinary comeback.