Altona Roosters Rugby League Club has claimed a win close to their hearts.
The Roosters came home with the Tyrel Hunt Memorial Shield after their third attempt with a thrilling 18-16 win over western rivals Werribee Bears in the NRL Victoria first grade at Haines Drive Reserve on Saturday.
The shield was struck up between the two sides in 2014 after the tragic death of Hunt in 2014.
It meant a lot for the Roosters players to bring the shield home.
“It’s the first time in three years that we’ve won that shield,” Roosters coach Jason Warr told Star Weekly.
“The boys were pretty ecstatic in the sheds.”
It was a significant victory for Altona on another level. It showed that if they are playing to their optimum, they are good enough to beat the best sides in the competition.
Werribee is a serious premiership contender this season and went into the game undefeated.
The Bears previous defeat came in last year’s grand final.
When Pio Nakubuwai crossed over in the corner for the Roosters’ winning try with five minutes to go, it signalled a new challenger in the mix and sent a message to the rest of the competition.
“It’s a huge result,” Warr said after the Roosters improved to 3-2 for the season.
“It was about keeping our season on track.
“The boys turned up and it makes wonders when they turn up and play the way they did.
“We can take that form into next week against the premiers Casey.”
New recruit Kane Marriott quickly endeared himself to the Altona fans. In his first game for the club, the full-back was effective on both the offensive and defensive end in a man-of-the-match performance.
“He was doing everything for us, scoring tries and making try-saving tackles,” Warr said of the former Waverley-Oakleigh Panthers player.
“He was a player who played for me at Waverley a while back. He wasn’t playing at all and showed a bit of interest, so a bit of a pushing and shoving and he was there. He hadn’t lost anything, he’s still got it all.”
Warr thanked both sets of fans for creating an enjoyable atmosphere on a special day for the clubs.
“They’re pretty vocal, but we had a vocal crowd on our side, so it was a good atmosphere,” Warr said. “It was played in great spirits, a tight, close game too.”
