Bourke Warriors stand tall despite heartbreak in Knockout final

The Bourke Warriors were named Stand Out Team at the Koori Knockout afteer five wins and a one point loss in the Grand Final. Photo Samara Milgate

The Bourke Warriors were within a heartbeat of taking out the title at the 2025 Koori Knockout at Tamworth on Monday, but in the dying seconds of the game it was the Newcastle Yowies who shattered the dream in a dramatic and historic final day of the 54-year-old tournament.

The Yowies clinched the men’s title in a one-point thriller comeback win over Bourke Warriors 25-24.

For the Bourke Warriors it was heartbreak, losing by one point with just 30 seconds left in the game. It looked like theirs to win after a strong showing across the five games they won to get to the grand final an astonishing success, considering the difficulties the team has faced over the last two seasons. The Grand Final was their moment of triumph over adversity, despite the one point loss.

The results over the Knockout weekend speak for themselves, with the Warriors defeating the Central West Black Trackers 82-0, Barwon United 30-0, Googars 26-12, Toomelah Tigers 18-6, and Walgett Aboriginal Connection WAC 30-16 before taking on the Yowies and being named the stand-out team of the event. […]

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