Almost exactly one year after they defeated the Shellharbour Sharks in the 2023 Group 7 grand final, the Gerringong Lions have done it again.

On September 15, the Gerringong Lions became back-to-back premiers when they defeated the Shellharbour Sharks 28-10 in the 2024 Group 7 grand final.

Gerringong were first to score early in the match when hooker Nathan Ford, who was playing in his 250th game, put second rower Corey Mulhall over for a try.

Shellharbour managed to strike back a few moments later, with a near mirror image play on the opposite side of the field, when hooker Brody Rigg put veteran centre Ryan James over to level the score at 4-4.

It seemed Shellharbour were destined to take the lead with a few repeat sets, but Gerringong’s defence was too strong.

In the 20th minute Gerringong went over for their second of the day when a wayward pass from lock Jake Taylor was picked up by Toby Gumley-Quine who was untouched on his way to the line. Taylor converted to make the score 10-4.

Quickly after, young fullback Wes Pring broke through the line and was caught with a swinging arm by Shellharbour’s Ryan James who was sent to the sin-bin for ten minutes as a result. Gerringong opted for a penalty goal that Taylor converted to make it 12-4.

Just before half time Gerringong crossed again through Jordan Chandler who took advantage of a rebounded kick. Gerringong led 16-4 at half time.

Shellharbour had to be first to score and, off the back of an offload, Kade Sampson managed to draw the last man and put Nicholas Hay over to get the Sharks back into the game and make it 16-10.

Not long after that though, Gerringong were back on the board with a beautiful try off the back of a kick that led to Rixon Russell diving under the sticks to make it 22-10.

In the 65th minute the Lions sealed the game with some individual brilliance from Gumley-Quine that brought the score to 28-10, which was what it remained until the final hooter sounded.

Rixon Russell (left) and Nathan Ford holding the premiership trophy. Source: Gameface Photography.

The Lions have been in every single first grade grand final since 2020 (there wasn’t a grand final in 2021 due to COVID) and have only lost only one of those four. 

The Lions’ reserve grade team also went back to back making Gerringong Lions the second club, the other being Albion Park in 1998 and 1999, in Group 7 history to win back to back premierships in the top two grades.