By Jamie Parsons

After seven years of the ProTen Cup, the grand final has come full circle, with Hillston hosting for the second time since the inaugural 2018 year. 

Women’s Grand Final – Barellan v Ivanhoe

Ivanhoe will be hoping third time’s the charm, getting another shot at the two-time Barellan Rams premiers. 

Despite going down 24-6 in the major semi, the Hens showed what they are capable of in both attack and defence last week. 

Both teams have about equal trips ahead of them, as long as the roads are open by Saturday. Although Barellan will start favourites, the result is far from certain, if Ivanhoe can field the same squad they did last week. 

Previous grand final match-ups:

2021 – Goolgowi 20-6 Rankins Springs

2022 – Narrandera 16-0 Goolgowi

2023 – Barellan 16-14 Ivanhoe

2024 – Barellan 26-6 Ivanhoe

Men’s Grand Final – Barellan v Ivanhoe, 3.00pm

After a fantastic season by both teams, the odds are even here and it’s very hard to separate these two teams, given the seasons they have had. 

Barellan and Ivanhoe have met twice this season, with Ivanhoe taking the regular season game 22-12, while Barellan stole the major semi-final in the dying moments 18-16. 

Ivanhoe have many players who have been in a grand final before, making both the 2022 and 2023 deciders, while Barellan face their first big one since 2004. 

Looking at records going back 60-odd years, this is also the first grand final meeting between the two clubs, and is the first Proten Cup grand final to not feature either Rankins Springs or Narrandera. 

Both teams will be relying on their respective captains to lead them to glory. Barellan’s Noah Forbutt is a consistent star of the competition, top try scorer and point scorer this year and together with co-coach Adam Thomas, has led the Rams from last in 2023 to a finals spot in 2024 and now a grand final this year. 

Ivanhoe’s Ethan Harris has continued to improve since starting with the Roosters in 2019 and is now one of the most damaging ball runners in the competition, and a big reason for Ivanhoe’s three grand final appearances. 

Previous Grand Finals:

2018 – Rankins Springs 16-10 Goolgowi

2019 – Goolgowi 22-6 Narrandera

2021 – Rankins Springs 10-8 Goolgowi

2022 – Narrandera 20-14 Ivanhoe

2023 – Narrandera 20-14 Ivanhoe

2024 – Rankins Springs 20-18 Narrandera

Grand final day schedule

The women’s game will kick off at 1.30pm at Stan Peter’s Oval Hillston, followed by their presentation, with the men’s game to follow at 3.00pm. 

Gates will open at 11.00am with the entry being $5 (cash only). 

The Hillston club will be having raffles, a jersey auction and a 100 club, along with a charity fundraiser for the Black Dog Institute (please check their Facebook page for further information.