10 December, 2015

Redfern All Blacks win the 2015 Koori Knockout

The Koori Knockout is one of the biggest cultural events of the year and this year’s competition at Dubbo didn’t disappoint.

Redfern All Blacks won both the men and women’s competitions which means they also earn the right to host next year’s event.

NSWALC was proud to support the Koori Knockout, providing a grant of $75,000 to the Barwon Aboriginal Corporation to help discount registration fees for the first 75 male or female teams who registered.

The first Knockout was held in 1971 and one of the event’s founders, Bob Morgan, has watched the event grow into something more than a rugby league carnival.

“It’s amazing. Over the years we had small communities in isolated pockets of New South Wales that for a whole year devoted their time to raise funds so they can come and participate,” Bob says.

The men’s final was a thriller with the Redfern All Blacks and Newcastle All Blacks locked up at 32-all at full-time after a late conversion by Shane Nolan.

While Newcastle All Blacks had their chances to win, it was the Redfern All Blacks who came up with a try in extra time with Jono Wright scoring in the corner to make it 36-32.

In the women’s final, Redfern All Blacks accounted for Kempsey Women’s RLFC 28-10 while

It’s an experience victorious Redfern All Blacks women’s fullback Narikah Johnson won’t forget.

“The best thing out of it is you get to play with your family, go to some places. Some places you don’t get to that so that’s what the Knockout’s for – you get to play for your mob.”

In the Under 12s, the 2829 Boys Coonamble and La Perouse Panthers shared the trophy with an 18-all draw in the Grand Final.

Barwon United Swans defeated Kempsey United 24-16 to take out the Under 15s title while Toomelah Tigers were too good for Walgett AC in the Grand Final of the Under 17s, winning 20-10.