Daniel Foley surrounded by his troops.
It was a 100 year birthday party and a 40-year triple premiership reunion for the club all in one.
And although it took a couple of late tries to achieve it, the Junee Diesels delivered the perfect entree to the nights celebrations by defeating the Young Cherrypickers 24-16 at Laurie Daley Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Fresh off a convincing win over Cootamundra the week before, the Diesels withstood some early pressure from Young before grabbing the first try of the game through centre Tevita
Toloi. Cooper Smith and Boro Navori both crossed the line for the Pickers prior to the half time break to give Young the lead, while a pair of tries to Jakeem Morgan for the home side and a try to Jonah Latu for the visitors ensured the huge crowd on hand would witness a grandstand finish.
With so many past, present and future players and supporters watching on, Junee found a way to send the vocal fans including NSW State of Origin coach Laurie Daley, into raptures with Jack Schubert being the hero, scoring a try which along with Stu Dunbar’s successful pushed the Diesels lead to eight and a lead that would end up being the final margin.
Daley and Premiership winning Captain-Coach from the 1986 First Grade side Brian Gray handed the current version their jerseys for Saturday prior to the game before explaining to the group how much the jersey meant to them, the town and each other.
Daley and Gray were then joined on stage by former Australian and NSW star, Brett Kenny, and the trio entertained the crowd with stories and funny tales, Daley and Gray from the 1986 Premierships whilst as Kenny’s spoke about stories from his own Grand Finals with Parramatta and Kangaroos tours in the 1980s.
Diesels coach Damian Willis said there was around 250 in attendance at the after-match function with another 200 finding any space possible to be part of the jersey auction.
Willis also commented on the sides ability to still win without putting together a full 80 minute performance which is a scary thought for opposition sides.
“We can’t quite put it together for the full 80 minutes, but the group is fit, tough and really connected this year. We have some really good performers each week and Jayden Hoeta, Tommy Carroll and Jordan Walker were some of our best last week.” Willis commented, before adding; “There would have been a few sore heads about on Sunday morning, but it was a hell of a special day for the club and it is nice to see us keep building each week.” Junee are at home again this coming weekend, taking on South City at Laurie Daley Oval.
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