Krista Schade
23 July 2025, 10:46 PM
The move ends the Lizards season, and has ignited players and supporters on social media.
Phones ran hot this morning after a Facebook status was published by Lizards player Malek Afuamua-Lyons.
"Proten Community Cup Rugby League have ruled Narrandera Lizards Senior RLFC out of the final this weekend that was supposed to be played against Ivanhoe Roosters. For a GRAND FINAL SPOT" Mr Afuamua-Lyons posted.
The decision is apparently due to erros made regarding player eligibility, and issue which has dogged the Narrandera Club this season.
Mr Afuamua-Lyons clearly lays the blame at the feet of NSW Rugby League.
"Due to a mistake made by NSW rugby league with a players availability in last weeks final against Rankins Springs Dragons, Narrandera have now been stripped of their opportunity to make a grand final," he said.
"This isn’t what the comp was started for, all this bickering and b*tching. We’re all men representing our homes playing for something.
"I’m disgusted by this decision. This will be the upset of the year in country rugby league.
"If we lose they hate us, (and) if we win they hate us more."
"This post isn’t pointed at any club within ProTen - this is to NSW Rugby League."
The decision comes just days after Narrandera Lizards revealed they have applied to Group 20 Rugby League to re-join the Griffith-based competition, and move on from the compressed ProTen Community Cup competition.
“Group 20 has a plan that we go back to Reserve Grade,” Narrandera president Shaun Lyons said last week.
“We're hoping to get a women's team, under 18s, and, obviously, it depends on what the 16s are doing, but we hope the 16s can come along and play for Narrandera.
“So we're hoping to put four teams in next year, but that's not set in stone yet."
Ivanhoe Roosters will now host Rankins Springs Dragons in both the men's and women's the final, to be played at Ivanhoe on Saturday.
Gates open at Sahara Oval at 12 noon. The women's final will kick off at 1.30pm and the men's clash will play from 2.30pm
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