NSWRL: Tom Gibbs
Hawks earn chance at redemption with narrow win
Ryde-Eastwood Hawks will get an opportunity to avenge their Major Semi-final loss to St Marys when they face the Saints in the Leagues Clubs Australia Ron Massey Grand Final, having beaten Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 20-16 in Saturday’s Preliminary Final.
The 2026 Minor Premiers needed to find their top-of-the-table form once again if they were to force their way into the decider, and they did just that with opening two tries of the contest.
Winger Anthony Raheb was first to score when he found himself on the end of a cross-field kick by Eiden Ackland, then Ackland set up the next try with a floating ball for Esera Chee-Kam on the other wing. Ben Stevanovic converted on both occasions to lead 12-0.
The Bulldogs soon replied with a pair of quick tries via an acrobatic finish from Jope Rauqe, then a rampaging run by Corey Ackers to help bring the deficit back to 12-10. But the Hawks turned momentum back in their favour when Chee-Kam crossed for his second try to give Ryde-Eastwood a 16-10 advantage at half-time.
The second half remained scoreless until the 66th minute when Rauqe brought the Dogs back into the contest by toeing the ball through to score in the corner, before halfback Damon Humphrys kicked a successful conversion to even the scores making it anyone’s game in the final exchanges.
Yet the Hawks managed to find a way back in front after a left-edge shift ended up in the hands of Raheb at speed, bursting through his opposite winger and fullback in cover to score. Despite a missed conversion attempt, the Hawks’ defence stayed strong for the remain nine minutes to seal the 20-16 win.
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Ryde-Eastwood Hawks 