Warriors fall short — BUT DO BOURKE PROUD AGAIN

Tony Pellow was named Player of the Tournament. Photo contributed

Story: Chris Rieger and Ian Cole

The Bourke Warriors have finished runners-up at the 2026 NSW Koori Knockout after going down 26–6 to Wiradjuri Aboriginal Rivers in the men’s grand final at Raymond Terrace.

For Bourke it was double disappointment after being beaten in last year’s grand final by the Newcastle Yowies.

Warriors coach Mark Knight said he was proud of his team and the way they had played all weekend.

“We could’ve won last year and we could’ve won this year, but we didn’t and we will have to put our heads down and win next year,” Mark said.

Wiradjuri Aboriginal Rivers claimed their first Koori Knockout title, with Gerome Burns starring in the decider with a hat-trick as WAR completed a breakthrough tournament.

For Bourke, it capped another outstanding campaign at one of the biggest events on the Indigenous rugby league calendar.

The Warriors again pushed deep into the tournament and reached the grand final despite carrying injury concerns into finals day. […]

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