The Uni-Norths Owls have booked their first-ever men’s first-grade grand final appearance after a commanding 59-19 victory over Canberra Royals at Viking Park on Saturday. With a week off ahead, the Owls now await the outcome of the remaining qualification finals to see whether they’ll face Royals or Vikings in the decider.

From the opening whistle, the Owls applied relentless pressure, and the electric crowd was on its feet for much of the game, buzzing with excitement as their men’s side displayed both skill and intensity. Siave Seti opened the scoring in the 6th minute, spotting a gap down the short-side and finishing off a slick move. Royals’ defence had no answer, though Toa’s conversion narrowly missed. Seti doubled the Owls’ tally in the 10th minute, with Toa adding the extras to make it 12-0.

Royals struck back through Samuel Heffernan in the 20th minute after patient build-up play, converted by Chace Oates, but the Owls maintained their composure. Bonsembiante crossed in the 30th minute, with Toa missing the conversion, to keep Uni-Norths in control. Rory Scott gave Royals hope in the 38th minute off a rolling maul, but Oates missed the sideline conversion. The Owls responded brilliantly just before half-time when Ollie Sapsford broke through the Royals defence and Toa converting, to take a 24-12 lead at the break.

The second half showcased the Owls’ dominance, particularly in the forwards and set-piece. Dylan Challita crossed in the 45th minute from a rolling maul, converted by Toa, illustrating how effectively the Owls were controlling the field. Royals fought back with Aiesi Siolo scoring in the 63rd minute, Oates converting to reduce the deficit, but Uni-Norths’ set-piece excellence soon paid dividends.

In the 74th minute, the Owls’ scrum and forward pressure forced a penalty try, a clear demonstration of their physical dominance and strategic control. Just a minute later, Tobias MacPherson produced a sensational intercept and chip-and-chase try from deep in Royals territory, converted by Toa, to further extend the lead.

The bench had a significant impact, with Te Huia Kutia, Joshua Reis, Cadeyrn Neville, and Zeb Maddinson coming on to maintain intensity. Sapsford capped off the day with back-to-back tries in the 79th and 80th minutes, including a brilliant chip-and-chase in the final moments that outpaced Royals’ and fellow Brumby, Andrew Muirhead.

The Owls’ victory sent the Viking Park crowd into raptures. Owls set-piece dominance, clever backline interplay, and high-intensity defence made them nearly impossible to stop, and with this historic result, they are favourites heading into their first-ever grand final.

---

Points Summary

Tries

Owls: Siave Seti – 6’, 10′, Ignacio Bonsembiante – 30’ , Ollie Sapsford – 40’, 79′, 80′, Dylan Challita – 45’, Penalty Try – 74’, Tobias MacPherson – 75’
Royals: Samuel Heffernan – 20’, Rory Scott – 38’, Aiesi Siolo – 63’

Conversions

Owls: Samuel Toa – 10’, 40′, 45′, 75′, 79′, 80′
Royals: Chace Oates – 20’, 63′ (Royals)

---

Uni-Norths Owls 1st Grade

1. Tauati Chan Tung
2. Christopher Mickelson
3. Rhys Van Nek
4. Harvey Cordukes
5. Samuel Mickelson (C)
6. Tobias Macpherson
7. Dylan Challita
8. Miller Tauiliili-Pelesasa
9. Zion Going
10. Samuel Toa
11. Ignacio Bonsembiante
12. Ollie Sapsford
13. Liae Tuilagi
14. Siave Seti
15. Jordan Thompson
    Substitutes: 16. Boston Morete, 17. Zeb Maddinson, 18. Te Huia Kutia (FR), 19. Cadeyrn Neville, 20. Joshua Reis, 21. Polynesia Crichton, 22. Charlie Crozier, 23. Issy Vaili

Canberra Royals 1st Grade

1. James Bundy
2. Liam Bowron
3. Samuel Heffernan
4. Spencer Scott
5. Tom Iles
6. Liam Clews
7. Rory Scott
8. Darcy Fogarty
9. Daniel Nelson
10. Chace Oates
11. Viliami Sipa
12. Joe Dillon
13. Lincoln Smith (C)
14. Zac Ross
15. Andrew Muirhead
    Substitutes: 16. Aiesi Siolo, 17. Joshua Madden, 18. Sione Mau, 19. Brendan Le Galludec, 20. Joshua Myburgh, 21. Pedro Rolando, 22. Ben Johnston, 23. Paddy Mcinally