Marist Brothers Rams will be hoping to end a premiership drought that stretches back more than two decades when they take on Murwillumbah Mustangs in the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League (NRRRL) Grand Final at Crozier Field in Limore on Sunday (14 September).
The Rams last won the title in 2003, which was also the last time Lismore hosted a decider. It is a testament to the spirit of the town, which has endured significant hardships in recent years, particularly in 2022 when floods devastated the region.
Marist Brothers for many years didn’t have a home ground, with circumstances forcing the club to use Oakes Oval which had no hot water or power due to the flooding, before heading to Crozier two years ago.
“The 2022 floods didn’t just take our field and the majority of our training gear — they affected everyone,” Marist Brothers Secretary Alyssa Gava said.
“Many of our players, coaches, committee members, and sponsors lost everything. In those times, football was often placed on the back burner.
“But the club stepped up where it was needed most, helping the community in the recovery while also using the game as a form of relief and release from the heavy burden of rebuilding.
“For a long time we trained wherever we could, sometimes on a different field each week, with (marquees) serving as makeshift dressing sheds and canteens.
“Through it all, the club never wavered, with a determination to keep the game alive and give the community something to rally around.”
Gava said it meant a lot to the community that the club had made the Grand Final after such a long drought with a capacity crowd expected to cheer the Rams on this Sunday.
In what could be a case of double celebrations for the community, the Women’s Tag Team, the Ramettes – who have made every Grand Final except one since 2017 – will take on Tweed Seagulls for the premiership.
“To not only return to the field but to bring the region’s showcase event back to Lismore, shows how far the club and town have come,” she said.
“The buzz is undeniable — with First Grade’s appearance in the Grand Final, people are coming out of the woodwork and travelling from near and far to witness this history-making day.
“Old Boys, including some who played in the last Grand Final held in Lismore, will be back to cheer on the next generation.
“For the Marist Brothers club and the wider Lismore community, this year’s Northern Rivers Rugby League Grand Final is far more than just another big game — it’s a symbol of resilience, pride, and community spirit.”
The occasion will also be special for match official Josh Laarhoven, who has risen through the junior ranks to be appointed for the decider.
“It’s something I didn’t really think it would be something I would achieve,” Laarhoven said.
“But over the past few years refereeing first grade it became a goal of mine and to achieve that is something I’m pretty proud of.
“I hope it will give the junior refs coming through the excitement that they could be doing a first grade Grand Final one day.”
