RUGBY LEAGUE
Hold your heads high, Magpies.
Sunday’s Peter McDonald Premiership grand final was one that will live long in bush footy memories: the scores were locked 10-10 at half time, and 22-22 all after a huge 80 minutes.
There had to be a winner but it took 10 minutes of extra time, then a further seven minutes of golden point for CYMS to find a breakthrough.
The Magpies might wish they’d been on the other side of that 23-22 score, but the wave of pride and support that’s followed reflects an incredible season – and a game for the ages.
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“For a game to go for nearly 100 minutes and it could have gone either way … I’m lost for words to be honest,” first grade coach Cameron Greenhalgh said.
The Magpies opened brilliantly at Apex Oval, Chad Porter crossing early to give them a 0-6 lead.
CYMS hit back through Zac Williams and Mitch Cleary before Farren Lamb powered through in the corner to lock it up at 10-all at the break.
Dubbo came out strong after the restart, two quick tries stretching the margin to 22-10.
But what happened next said everything about Forbes’ first grade squad - and their never-say-die spirit.
“Some might have written us off mid-way through the second half,” captain Nick Greenhalgh acknowledged.
"To be down 12 in a grand final's not ideal."
With the black-and-white faithful in full voice, first Traie Merritt and then Harry Leadbitter crossed, Greenhalgh converting both to set up the grandstand finish at 22-all.
Neither side could break the deadlock through extra time.
The crowd was out of their seats in golden point as the Magpies twice charged down field goal attempts and nearly stole it themselves - Zeke Hartwig pulled up half a metre short.
After almost 100 minutes of football, CYMS finally took their chance.
“It was a hell of a game, that’s for sure,” the captain said.
“So many highlights for us and a few lowlights as well.
“You’ve got to give credit where credit is due: CYMS took their opportunity that presented itself to them first.
“They’re a quality outfit, they’re deserving premiers.”
Cameron Greenhalgh echoed the sentiment.
“Both teams should have won – it doesn’t happen unfortunately," he said.
“I think I said at the guernsey presentation: it’s not easy to make a grand final in this competition, it’s such a strong competition, so that’s an achievement in itself.
“To get beat in one is a bit of a kick in the guts but someone’s got to lose.
“I’m proud of the boys - their efforts - they left nothing in the tank.”
Club president Matthew Jack praised the squad for the way they represented their club and community: from those who overcame injury to play the decider, to that second-half comeback, and the way the captain spoke post-match.
“That’s footy,” he said of the final result.
“But that was probably the best grand final in the history of group 10, 11.
“We came off on the wrong end of it but we’re very proud of the boys obviously and they’re all pretty keen to go round again next year too so we’ll put another good footy side on the park.”
A season to remember
From the stirring ANZAC Day opener at Spooner Oval to remaining unbeaten at home all year, the Magpies’ 2025 campaign has been full of highlights.
Two home semi-final wins lit the path to Sunday’s decider, where the town once again turned out in force.
For the captain, this was - almost - as good as it gets.
“Every win we had together was special,” Nick Greenhalgh said.
Playing through a shoulder injury he'll now look to rest to recover, Greenhalgh described the year as one of the best he’s ever been part of: with this team, this club and this community.
“Everyone got behind us,” he said.
Even as the final kick sailed through for Dubbo, the Magpies’ faithful poured from the stands to salute their side.
“(I’ve had) Heaps of messages, heaps of phone calls, my phone was blowing up after the game just everyone showing their support,” Greenhalgh said.
“Everyone’s behind us and supporting us and that’s what this town is about, that’s what this club is about: we’ll be back next year.”
The club's presentation is to be this Friday night at the Forbes Inn, check the Forbes rugby league club social media for updated details.
