Up against the Illawarra South Coast Dragons at Goulburn’s Workers Arena, Monaro coach Ash Barnes said that his team had a specific game plan in mind and executed it perfectly. 

“I thought the team played really, really well,” Barnes said. 

“We came up with a plan of how we wanted to go about the match, and the boys went out and executed really well and played with a lot of energy.”

The game started inauspiciously for Monaro, with Luke Skidmore of the Gungahlin Bulls being forced from the ground with an injury after the first tackle of the match. 

However, from there all the momentum was with Barnes’ side, and Goulburn Bulldogs player Nic Cornish was thrilled with the cohesiveness between the team. 

“It was a really good game for us, our side has gelled really well together,” Cornish said. 

“We stuck to exactly what Barnesy said, the game plan, and everything worked well. I guess it just comes down to the group of boys we have and the training we had. It just worked out for us.” 

Cornish played well at halfback, particularly considering that he was in doubt for the match with a corked thigh until Friday. 

“It actually wasn’t too bad coming into the game,” Cornish said. 

“I had the week off training to get it right. They put some padding on it and I had full movement in it … that was just about it.” 

One of two players from the Goulburn Bulldogs side to have been waylaid with injury, Connor Brebner also made his start for Monaro on Saturday. 

Having recovered from torn ligaments in his ankle which forced him to sit out four weeks and miss the first game against Riverina, Brebner felt good on Saturday and played well. 

“On Saturday it [the ankle] felt fine, it’s pretty much a hundred percent now,” Brebner said. 

“I thought I played pretty good, there’s still a few things I need to work on with my game.

“Just trying to get that match fitness back up [as well] … if I can do that in the final then hopefully I have a good chance of making country.” 

Brebner’s presence in the Under 23’s side makes four Goulburn Bulldogs players to take the field for Monaro on Saturday, including Cornish, Chris Hart, and Tyson Greenwood. 

All four played excellent footy and were a big part of the team’s success, Barnes said. 

“They’re great players, I really enjoy having them in the team,” Barnes said. 

“They’re players that give you their absolute all, it’s great to have them in the squad.”

Following the injury to Luke Skidmore, Monaro got off to a quick start, and Cleve McGhie crossed the line within the first five minutes, which Derek Hay then converted for a 6-0 lead. 

Soon after, Ronnie Leapai crossed again for another try which was duly converted. 

This was soon followed by a try and conversion to Derek Hay, giving Monaro an 18-0 lead. 

Illawarra soon rallied, and responded with two of their own tries before half time, and one more penalty goal to Monaro took the score to 20-12 at the break. 

From there, the momentum sat entirely with Monaro. Exposing a gap in Illawarra’s left side defence, Monaro scored six more times while their opponents could only muster one try in the second half. 

Cornish’s kicking game was a big part of his team’s dominance, with two of the halfback’s chips leading to tries.  

The end score was 48-18, and Monaro will next face Northern Rivers in the Country Rugby League Championship grand final on Saturday May 26 at Kirkman Park, Camden from 12:30pm.