By Jon Geddes

HALFBACK Roan Frostwick made a triumphant return to his old stomping ground as Northern Suburbs defeated Warringah 30-16 in an extra time finals thriller at Pittwater Rugby Park on Sunday.

The sharp No.9 played every game with the Rats last season before moving to Norths for 2024, and Sunday was the first time he had been back to Narrabeen since his departure.

“I certainly have some good memories on this pitch – and it’s great to have another good one now with the boys,” Frostwick told Rugby News after the game.

“It’s definitely finals time, absolutely, and you could see that the way the game shaped out.

“We knew we were coming in for a battle, so we really got up for it and we knew our backs were up against the wall – they had a game in hand and we didn’t.

“So we were coming out fighting and I thought we did that to the end.”

Frostwick said he was excited about his return to Rat Park rather than nervous – and he managed to find the visitors’ dressing room.

“I knew I was going to cop a bit from the crowd and from the players certainly,” he said.

Coach Zak Beer said Frostwick was a real leader who has become part of the fabric at Norths.

“I think a sign of the character of the bloke was the amount of Warringah supporters who shook his hand when he walked in and said, ‘good to see you back’,” Beer said.

Norths now play Randwick and Warringah face Easts in a double-header at North Sydney Oval on Saturday.

“We are back at home in six days time,” Beer said after Sunday’s momentous victory.

MAKING A STATEMENT      

THE spirit shown by Norths in what was a do-or-die scenario – with 20 minutes extra time when the scores were locked at 16-all at fulltime – demonstrated they are a genuine premiership threat.

“It really shows we have a lot of heart and have a lot of determination,” Frostwick said.

“That is something you can’t coach … that’s just who we are as people and players.”

He said the team’s belief has always been there, but now it really beginning to show at crunch time. 

Beer added: “They are special group of men, they are a special team and they are a team of winners for a reason – and I think that showed today.”

It will be a big challenge for both Norths and Warringah with a six-day turnaround after playing a 

100-minute game. 

“You can’t control what happens to you, all you can control is how you respond,” Beer said.

“What is important now is we get our bodies back to 100 per cent, we get our minds back sharp and we turn all our focus onto Randwick.”

The preparation for the grand final qualifier starts on Monday when the players get into the hot and cold pools at Shore school as part of their recovery.  

A TOUCH OF CLASS  

BEER displayed great sportsmanship after the game, making a point of congratulating his rivals.

“I want to tip my hat to Josh Holmes, Boyd (Killingworth) and the whole Warringah club,” Beer said.

“They have done a brilliant job this year and they should be incredibly proud of themselves and I don’t think their season is done just yet.”

And who knows? The two teams could meet again in the grand final om Saturday week at Leichhardt Oval.