Sport
4 September, 2026
Flamin’ Galahs Swoop to Historic Premiership
The Gulargambone Flamin’ Galahs have won an historic Western Plains Rugby Union Tri Tag premier
By David Neeves, Western Plains Rugby Union president
The Gulargambone Flamin’ Galahs have soared to their first-ever Western Plains Rugby Ahrens Tri Tag premiership, producing a stunning 19–7 victory over the heavily favoured Coonamble Rams in a memorable grand final at Larkin Oval, Nyngan on Saturday, August 29.
Played in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd, the grand final atmosphere was electric, with the Flamin’’ Galahs huge travelling supporter base creating a wall of noise from the opening whistle.
The Coonamble Rams, who entered the match as premiership favourites, made the ideal start.
The Rams struck early with a converted try to establish a 7–nil lead, and for a time it appeared they had settled into the contest exactly as expected.
But the Flamin’ Galahs had other ideas.
With their vocal supporters urging them forward, Gulargambone lifted the intensity and began to wrestle back control of the match.
The Galahs turned sustained pressure into points, crossing for a crucial first-half try to close the gap.
At half-time, the Rams held a slender 7–5 advantage.
The second half belonged to the Flamin’ Galahs.
Inspired by the relentless support from the sideline, Gulargambone produced a defensive performance that will be remembered for years to come.
Wave after wave of Coonamble attack was repelled as the Galahs defended their line with determination and discipline.
The Rams threw everything they had at the Galahs, but Gulargambone refused to crack.
At the other end of the field, the Galahs showed composure and skill when it mattered most.
Crafty playmaker Sarah Chandler was at the heart of the attack, creating opportunities for her teammates and repeatedly finding ways to break through the Coonamble defence.
Chandler also delivered the decisive moment herself, scoring a match-winning try that sent the huge Gulargambone supporter base into celebration.
Coonamble were all effort and never stopped fighting, but at the crucial moments it was the Flamin’ Galahs who displayed the greater composure and execution.
When the final whistle sounded, the scoreboard read Gulargambone Flamin’ Galahs 19, Coonamble Rams 7.
For Gulargambone, it was more than a grand-final victory.
It was history.
The Flamin’ Galahs had secured their first-ever premiership, capping off a remarkable season with a performance built on courage, resilience, belief, attacking flair and outstanding defence.
The Coonamble Rams may have taken home the Club Championship, but on grand-final day it was the Flamin’ Galahs who swooped on the ultimate prize in the women's decider.
Congratulations to the Gulargambone Flamin’ Galahs 2026 Western Plains Rugby Ahrens Cup Tri Tag premiers and now part of the competition’s history.
