At first it seemed 2020 was going to be a write-off due to the coronavirus. When national sporting bodies began mandating shutdowns in March, many feared that would be the death knell for the winter season.

However, NSW recovered sufficiently and began running competitions in July.

Although there was a lot of apprehension about how the players and coaches would handle the three-month long layoff, local teams appeared to relish the extra break.

With nearly all of the winter competitions now concluded, senior representative teams are yet to lose a grand final. Following is a reminder of each of the tournament wins so far by local clubs.

Gordon Highlanders

Upon their return to competition after seven years in the wilderness, the Gordon Highlanders had high expectations.

In a George Tooke Shield competition which was devoid of reigning premiers the North Canberra Bears, the Highlanders got off to a fast start and quickly became frontrunners.

After some hiccups late in the season, it looked as though the Bungendore Tigers had usurped the Highlanders as favourites, but a dominant performance in the grand final proved otherwise for Goulburn's only senior rugby league side in 2020.

Stats: 9 matches, 5 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses

Grand Final score: 24-10

Marulan Football Club

As one of the two local representative soccer teams to have played in the Southern Highlands this year, Marulan seemed bound for finals from the outset.

Having lost the 2019 grand final, the Marulan men were eager to go one better this season. Though they only held a narrow lead on the ladder over their grand final opponents, Hill Top, the result never seemed in doubt on the day as a 3-1 victory proved.

Stats: 10 matches, 6 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss

Grand Final score: 3-1

Stags Football Club

As the other of the two teams in the Southern Highlands Premier League competition this year, the Stags women dominated in much the same way as their male counterparts.

Eerily, they also played Hill Top in the final. But the run to the final was much closer for the Stags, as their opponents actually finished on top of the ladder by way of a slim for-and-against lead.

However, Goulburn's women proved they could handle the heat on the day, and shut Hill Top out in a gritty performance to claim the premiership.

Stats: 8 matches, 7 wins, 1 loss

Grand Final score: 2-0

Goulburn Dirty Reds First Grade

Much like Marulan, the Dirty Reds came into 2020 with the wounds of a grand final loss still raw.

This was clearly a massive motivator for the Rugby Union Club, which proceeded to dominate the first grade competition. However, the grand final was far from assured against a Hall outfit with a perennial chip on its shoulder.

An intensely physical encounter was expected and delivered, but the Dirty Reds held out to claim another well-earned trophy.

Stats: 8 matches, 7 wins, 1 draw

Grand Final score: 23-14

Goulburn Dirty Reds Second Grade

The big news at the start of the year for Goulburn's reserve grade rugby union side was the addition of former NRL players and Goulburn Bulldogs stars, Tyler and Mitchell Cornish, along with brother, Nicholas Cornish, and former Tuggeranong Vikings first grader Izzy Tittor.

They were expected to have a huge impact, and by the end of 2020, they had. Tittor was Man of the Match in the grand final against ADFA, while Nicholas and Tyler scored a try apiece as the Dirty Reds ran roughshod at Poidevin Oval.

The four big additions elevated an already talented Dirty Reds lineup to near-unbeatable status, as the season's results proved.

Stats: 8 matches, 7 wins, 1 draw

Grand Final score: 39-12

Taralga Tigers

Though not officially a Goulburn team, the Tigers often welcome Gouburn-based players and have historically been treated as a local side.

Without long-time rivals, the Crookwell Dogs, in this year's South Coast Monaro competition, the Tigers began as clear favourites having made the grand final for three years running.

But their fourth consecutive grand final opponents, the Jindabyne Bushpigs, have been a consistently threatening side for years, and the October 3 grand final proved no different as Taralga managed to eek home by five points.

Grand Final score: 24-19

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