The Group 9 calendar had marked last weekend’s fixture at the Wagga Kangaroos’ home ground as a clash of titans, or perhaps more accurately, a David and Goliath battle. On one side stood the formidable Wagga Kangaroos, undisputed leaders of the competition, a well-oiled machine expected to dominate. Facing them were the Junee Diesels, a team that arrived not just with a game plan, but with a narrative woven from grit, resilience, and a remarkable resurgence under coach Ben Shea.
Having recently celebrated a significant victory over Temora and pushed competition heavyweights Gundagai to the brink, Junee was no longer just an underdog; they were a side that had learned to punch above their weight, setting the stage for a compelling encounter.
Diesels’ coach Ben Shea, a figure of quiet determination, reflected on the monumental task ahead even before kickoff.
“I thought, considering the amount of injuries we carried into the game, going against the best side in the comp, we did well,” he would later muse, a testament to the spirit he saw in his squad. The Diesels were without three genuine first-graders – Daniel Foley, Pete Adams, and James Croyden – still overseas. Jaydn Heota and Jack Schubert were sidelined, and Shea himself was playing through an ankle injury. It was a testament to the depth and resilience of the club that so many others had stepped up, playing through their niggles and logging more minutes than usual.
From the first whistle, it was clear the Diesels were in for a fight. The Kangaroos, with their well-oiled machine, applied relentless pressure. Yet, Junee responded with grit. The makeshift halfback, James Strickland, stepped into the enormous boots of Fol with remarkable composure. “I thought James Strickland did a terrific job filling in at halfback for Fol, they were big boots to fill and I didn’t know he could’ve done much better,” Shea praised, highlighting a standout performance.
Indeed, it was Strickland who crossed for Junee’ss ole try of the match. The defensive line was anchored by the powerful presence of their centres, Dredin and Ratu, who were “massive” in their contributions. Chase and Micka, often unsung heroes, continued their consistent, powerhouse efforts, “who probably don’t get the credit they deserve because they are massive every week.” But for Shea, the true narrative of the day was the collective effort.
“The real story is all the boys across the park putting in the effort, especially the last 2 weeks.”
The game was a brutal affair. Already depleted, the Diesels suffered further blows, losing another three players before half-time who couldn’t finish the game. Each injury was a test of their resolve, forcing further reshuffles and pushing the remaining players to their physical limits. Despite these setbacks and “little lapses of concentration” that proved costly against such a high-calibre opponent, the Diesels never truly capitulated.
“We knew going into the game we were going to be up against it,” Shea admitted. “In terms of the conditions going into the game, I didn’t think we could’ve done much better.”
The final score saw Wagga Kangaroo semerge victorious 18-8 over the Junee Diesels. For Wagga, tries came from Angus Clark (who bagged two) and James Smart, with Charlie Barton converting all three tries perfectly.
Junee’s points came from James Strickland’s try, converted by Dredin Sorensen, who also added a penalty goal. While the scoreboard didn’t reflect a win for Junee, it certainly highlighted their tenacious effort against the league leaders. Looking beyond the immediate result, Shea saw a silver lining and a path forward.
“The bye comes at a good time for us, gives a few of the boys with niggly injuries a chance to recoup and recover and finish the season strongly.” The road to the finals remains challenging, requiring “a lot of favours,” but the focus is internal.
“If we win out, things could fall into place and honestly the way we’ve been playing, it’s not outside the realm of possibility.”
The coach concluded with a powerful reflection on their recent turnaround. “The same two games in the first round of the season we lost 40-0 and 58-0, so to produce the results we have in the last two weeks against two of the top teams is pretty remarkable, all things considered and a testament to the effort and work the boys are putting in.”
Saturday’s game against the Kangaroos, despite the loss, was another chapter in Junee’s story of resilience, proving that even when the odds are stacked against them, the Diesels are a force to be reckoned with, a team that has truly found its stride under Ben Shea.
– Tully Potts
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