GRAND FINAL PREVIEW: FOUR TITLES ON THE LINE
THE BIG DANCE HAS ARRIVED
Four premierships to be decided at TRL Stadium this Saturday, September 12.
(The following has been published before the publication of the official team sheets.)
Before the action begins, congratulations to Nightcliff Dragons star Courtney Tamati and Northern Sharks player Jacob Collie, winners of the 2026 Gaynor Maggs and Frank Johnson Medals respectively as the season's Best and Fairest players.
Under 18 Boys: Litchfield Bears v Katherine Cowboys / South Darwin Rabbitohs - 1:30pm
The Grand Final Day program opens with a future stars clash between minor premiers Katherine Souths and the Litchfield Bears.
Both sides finished the regular season on 18 points, with Katherine Souths claiming top spot on superior differential. However, momentum sits firmly with the Bears.
The teams have met six times this season, splitting the victories three apiece. Katherine Souths won the first three encounters, while Litchfield have won the most recent three, including a thrilling 32-28 Major Semi Final victory.
Katherine Souths earned their way back into the decider with a 24-18 Preliminary Final win over the Northern Sharks and will be led by 2026 Coach of the Year Clint Nibbs.
The contest features some of the competition's brightest young talent. Katherine Souths star George Rosas claimed the Top Try Scorer, Top Point Scorer and Best and Fairest awards, while Jalyn Priestly scored 19 tries and gained valuable DABSCO Men's Premiership experience across the season.
For the Bears, Eligh Pomroy has enjoyed an extraordinary season, scoring 11 Under 18 tries before claiming the DABSCO Men's Premiership Top Try Scorer award with 18. Pomroy was also named Rising Star and selected in the Team of the Year.
With Jack McGlinn also providing plenty of attacking threat, this one is too close to call.
Gatley Shield: Darwin Brothers v Litchfield Bears - 3:00pm
Defending premiers Darwin Brothers take on a Litchfield Bears side that has produced an impressive finals campaign.
Brothers booked their place in the Grand Final with a 22-16 Major Semi Final win over Palmerston, while the Bears defeated the Northern Sharks 26-14 before eliminating the Raiders 8-4 in a gritty Preliminary Final.
Litchfield hold a 2-1 advantage in the head-to-head record this season and could also benefit from greater player availability, with Brothers having players involved in the DABSCO Men's Premiership Grand Final later in the day.
Brothers' likely stars include competition award winner Ankin Lewis, along with Jonas Higlett, Bradley Stokes, Naiama Mau, Dylan Seden-Kurnoth and Darcy Holmes.
The Bears have plenty of talent themselves, including David Jacobson, Travis Packham, Jack Brennan, Jazza Burgess and potential game-breaker Patrick Manktelow.
Tru-Flow Services Women's Premiership: Darwin Brothers v Nightcliff Dragons - 4:45pm
The Darwin Brothers Sisters are chasing an extraordinary fifth consecutive premiership after another season of dominance.
The four-time defending premiers finished the 2026 season undefeated, scoring 600 points while conceding just 42, with Captain Ellie Niki pointing to the preseason to where the defensive brick wall was built.
That is a remarkable record, but Nightcliff showed in the Major Semi Final that they can challenge the competition's dominant side.
The Dragons scored two tries through sharp passing and expansive football, providing a potential blueprint for teams attempting to circumvent Brothers' compressed defensive line.
For the Sisters, Top Try Scorer Bianca Stokes, who celebrated her 130th game during the Major Semi Final, will again be a major threat. Talia Corrie's direction and attacking creativity, particularly down the left edge, Zoe Kurnoth's outstanding defence and the big-game influence of Ellie Niki make Brothers formidable across the park.
Nightcliff will look to Gaynor Maggs Medal winner Courtney Tamati to lead their attack, while Top Point Scorer Cecilia Misob and powerful ball runners Mere Rasaku and Dakota Spicer provide genuine attacking weapons. Dragons Captain Tamati highlighted the important contributions of midseason recruits from the Northern Sharks, Mayo Watson-Compton and Grace Bailey.
DABSCO Men's Premiership: Darwin Brothers v Palmerston Raiders - 6:15pm
The final match of Grand Final Day features the dominant force of the 2026 season against the giant killers.
Darwin Brothers are chasing a third consecutive premiership after finishing the season undefeated and claiming the minor premiership. Their closest contest came in Round 2, when they defeated Nightcliff 24-12.
Brothers Captain Aaron Kurnoth was relaxed midweek, with the defending premiers expected to name the same line up as their Major Semi Final victory over the Sharks. The Brethren possess quality across the park, with Elijah Coombes and Kyro Ahmat leading the forward pack, Northam enjoying an outstanding season at acting-half, and captain Aaron Kurnoth providing leadership alongside young halves partner Dallas Caulton.
Caulton finished the season as the competition's Top Point Scorer with an impressive 184 points.
Antonio James provides reliability and excitement at the back, while Mikaele Vateitei and Isaac Seden-Kurnoth add attacking spark. Nick Yarran and Jonas Niki are also expected to provide dangerous impact from the bench.
But the Chuck Norris coached Palmerston Raiders have been the story of the second half of the season.
The Raiders have suffered just one defeat in their past eight games and enter the Grand Final full of confidence.
Captain Bradley Hansen, keeping his cards close to his chest regarding his starting position, anchors the dynamic spine partnership with Jack Walsh and Tryreece Pott, while Bulumaca, Volisara and Sorowale provide pace and power out wide.
The Raiders forward pack showed its toughness during the finals, while Isaac and Cooper Moore off the bench offer further attacking options through the middle and on the edge respectively.
The Raiders have the ability to cause an upset, particularly if they can frustrate Brothers and force the undefeated premiers into unfamiliar territory.
Four Grand Finals, four premierships and one huge day of community rugby league awaits the Top End.
The action begins at 1:30pm at TRL Stadium on Saturday, September 12, with fans also able to watch the Tru-Flow Services Women’s Premiership and the DABSCO Men’s Premiership Grand Finals live on Kommunity TV.
