The Barcaldine Sand Goannas pulled off a famous Central-West triumph, downing the Longreach / Ilfracombe Tigers 28–22 in a hard-fought grand final at the Barcaldine Showgrounds recently.
But it wasn’t just the silverware that had tongues wagging across the outback; it was the remarkable family flavour to the Sand Goannas’ premiership-winning squad.
In a scenario almost unheard of in modern rugby league, Barcaldine fielded two sets of three brothers, another pair of brothers, and their cousin all in the same open men’s side.
The Hunt brothers have already carved themselves into Central-West folklore.
Halfback and playmaker Mannix Hunt, just 21, continues to build his legacy after famously stepping up as an 18-year-old captain/coach in 2022 and steering Barcaldine to glory.
His younger brothers are making their own mark: Roko, 19, a dynamic fullback and handy goal kicker, and Enzo, only 17, who tore through defences all season to finish as the competition’s leading try scorer with an eye-watering 14 tries.
On grand final day, Roko kept his cool under pressure, crossing the stripe himself and adding two crucial conversions to keep the Tigers at bay.
The Bettiens trio provide the Sand Goannas’ engine room steel. Skipper Zach, 20, led by example in the back row, flanked by his younger brother Benny, 18. Josh, 22, filled the bench utility role, giving Barcaldine valuable versatility when required.
Not to be outdone, the Hansen clan left their mark on the season. Centre Jake Hansen, 20, who bagged a double in the decider, with his younger brother Max, 18, playing five games strongly on the wing.
Cousin Casey Hansen, also 20, added sharp service out of dummy-half. The family’s legacy runs deeper still, Casey’s father Mick Hansen, a life member and referee, was a proud figure on the sideline of the decider as another generation donned the maroon and gold.
In a tightly fought decider, The Tigers fought valiantly, keeping the scoreboard tight until the final whistle, but Barcaldine’s family-driven chemistry proved the difference.
The unique combination of sibling understanding and backyard-footy instincts gave the Sand Goannas a natural edge, one that delivered them a premiership story that will be retold across the red dirt towns of Central-West Queensland for years to come.
For the Sand Goannas, it wasn’t just about lifting the Wellshot Hotel Open Men’s Premiership trophy, it was about celebrating mateship, kinship, and the enduring spirit of bush rugby league.
