Avalon Bulldogs 2025 A Grade Premier Team - plus supporters!. Photo: Michael Mannington OAM
Grand Final Player of the Match and A Grade Captain, William Kelly. Photo: Michael Mannington OAM
An historic rugby league Winter Season has just been completed for local rugby league clubs. Not only has the return of an A Grade team to Mona Vale Raiders been a cause for celebration, and the growth of girls blue tag risen, with the Raiders and Narrabeen seeing many of their junior boys and girls teams play Grand Finals, the enjoyment of rugby league in the community has brought thousands of residents together across the peninsula to enjoy being together on weekends, and rally around and support each other during times of tragedy.
The efforts of every individual working as a team has continued to foster connection between the youngest residents through to the oldest. The Village Green, or common ground, has been the footy ground – the home-grounds of each club as well as the away games grounds. Here the cheers from crowds numbering thousands, the squeals and laughter of small children playing on the sidelines, the quieter murmur of mums and dads overseeing the barbecues and kiosks, the busy presidents running everywhere looking after everyone on game days, the quiet talks of coaches and support staff, are still lingering in the air.
Memories have been made – community solidified – proving the Manly to Barrenjoey peninsula is still a group of villages connected to each other not by roads but through a love of footy and sports, a love of this beautiful area, and a love of family – the family some are blessed to have in their home and the family that is embedded in each and every club of every sport. In these villages we are raising our children and grandchildren and looking after each other, even as our hair turns grey and the knees get a bit knobbly with age.
The BIG WIN for the Season has been the return of an A Grade Team to the Avalon JRLFC and their HUGE WIN last Sunday, August 31, of the Grand Final to become 2025 Premiers.
The Bulldogs played the Asquith Magpies in the Grand Final. The final bell saw the Doggies win 28 to 16 with two tries scored for Avalon by Taine Allen, and one each by Corey Kirkham and Maxwell Barry. The Bulldogs were 4 out of 4 for Conversions, with Captain and Player of the Match William Kelly, Will, scoring three out of three, and Chandler Walton succeeding in the first of that four.
The Bulldogs added further points through two penalty goals, with Will scoring the first and Corey Kirkham the second.
The A Grade competition in suburban rugby league is the top-tier local men's rugby league competition - this is the premier or highest-ranked division – and the one many set their eyes on being a part of from an early age.
Three Pittwater Teams were in the final Top 8 of the ladder after all the points had been tallied; the Avalon Bulldogs at No. 1, obviously, the Narrabeen Sharks at No.2 and Mona Vale Raiders at No.6.
They’re the boys all the younger boys look up to and set their examples by.
This week, a celebration, through a few insights from those who led the charge, and who shared a few words at the end-of-the-week after the win, when everyone had gone back to work.
Player of the Match and Bulldogs A Grade Captain William Kelly, Will, had more to overcome then the challenges that come with every Season this year. He lost his darling mum and adored sister.
William Kelly (Will) – A Grade Captain and Player of the Match in the Grand Final
Congratulations Will; everyone is so stoked for you all. There have been a few challenges with washouts this Winter, and season-ending injuries, but you boys have gone virtually unbeaten all Season - what has got you through the Season?
We’re all best mates, basically. I actually touched on this before the game. There were lots of things that happened away from footy this year for us boys – with mental health and relationships. For me I had a really tough year with my family, I lost mum and my sister.
So it was good to be with your best mates when I’d go down to training on Tuesday and Thursday. We’d just work hard and work to stay happy – we just love being around each other. I feel like that ended up coming out in all the results and is probably why we had so much consistency, because we stayed so tight during the week and were ready on Sundays. I’d put it down to that.
We were playing for each other – and that is what we’re all most proud of and ultimately that’s what we all got out of this. We all came into this team at the start of this year and worked on becoming better people.
You were winning for your mum and your sister on Sunday?
Yes; very much so – there was a lot of feeling about that, it did feel that way. The energy was unbelievable.
The community has been right behind you, turning up all season at each away game en masse to cheer you on. What impact does that have on your game days?
This year has been unbelievable, I’ve played in the comp. for a while but there this been nothing like this year – the community has just been so big in Avalon. A Grade footy hasn’t been in Avalon for a few years and when it was the team wasn’t so successful. To come back and win games, and have all the kids in Avalon who love their footy cheering us on has been phenomenal. The community spirit in Avalon has been so strong – I’ve never seen anything like what happened this year. We couldn’t have achieved anything we’ve have this year without everyone who has turned up to the games to support us – it’s been super cool the way everyone has come together.
We’ve been photographing you since you were a youngster and now you’re a dad yourself – when did you start with the Bulldogs?
I was 5 years old and had moved here from Mudgee with my family. I think there’s around 6 or 7 boys that played in my team then who played on the weekend and won the game, and we were coached by Matto, Matt Eding, who is the president of the club now, which is super special too. I still have my first ever jersey, which my son was wearing on the weekend, so that felt real cool.
What will you do over the break? Will you go and play cricket, do handstands on the beach, or…?
Definitely going to get away from footy for a bit – I owe my girlfriend a few date nights too, she has been a real good sport, so we’re going to head over to Bal and then I’ll enjoy time with them and have some downtime.
Congratulations Will – everyone is so proud of you boys and all you do and the way you conduct yourselves on and off the field, the great example you all are to the younger players coming up and how you are all outstanding people as individuals and as a team. We hope to see you next year.
Thank you. You will – we’re aiming to go back-to-back.
Haig Sare (Head Coach of A Grade 2025 Season)
An outstanding result at Sunday’s Grand Final – are you happy with the win?
It certainly was – I watched the game this morning – it was a great result. We’re all unbelievably happy.
During the second half of the game our defence held strong and when we had the ball the boys did well – I was just so happy for everyone involved, and the community was amazing, it was so good seeing so many people turn up to cheer them on.
Our photographer said it was absolute ‘mayhem’ down there.
Yes, it was.
Your first Season with Avalon Bulldogs – have you enjoyed yourself sir?
I have. The boys were just so good to be around, they just embraced me, the club was fantastic, and obviously it was so good to get the result we did and they’re a talented bunch, they could all play, they’re all experienced, so I was very lucky and had a blast.
Will (Captain) credits a lot of the work they did during the training sessions, and talking things out then, as a big part of their success this year – so much so that when they’d walk onto the ground of a Sunday they were just ready to go.
They were. Their work ethic was second to none – whatever any of the coaching staff asked of them, no one ever whinged no matter how hard it was, everyone had the right attitude. They were prepared to put the effort in, always. I couldn’t fault their work ethic – which makes game days easier.
Their presentation day takes place September 12 but then it’s time off – are you looking forward to a break?
Absolutely – I’ll be spending more time with my lovely family and enjoying getting outdoors doing other sports – which is what we all live I this beautiful place for.
Matt Eding (Assistant Coach for A Grade and President 2025 Season of Avalon Bulldogs)
Will Kelly spoke about how you used to coach a cohort of the 2025 Premier Avalon Bulldogs team when they were under 6’s, and his son was wearing his jersey from when he was 5 – so a bit of a journey for yourself as well to see them make and then win the Grand Final this year Matt?
It sure has been - it was under 6’s but some of them were 4, others 5. I’ve been fortunate to have such a good bunch of football players.
So you’re happy with their win?
I was over the moon. I’ve been involved with 4 Grand Finals in A Grade plus multiple Minors with those boys. They were the team I took through from Under 6’s to Under 19’s and then we won that Grand Final undefeated and then this A Grade team has grown to a new level through their work.
The Bulldogs have had a great community-focussed Season overall – one of your girls’ teams won their Grand Final, and this is just a few years after local clubs have embraced tag games for girls. How has it been from your point of view?
Yes – we’ve had a great year. We had 4 teams in Grand Finals. The club has gone from strength to strength this year with 22 teams playing, and then Summer Touch looks as though it will go berserk too, so that’s great for the community, to be a place where everyone can come together and provide these opportunities for the younger members and residents and connect everyone else, all at Hitchcock park. Our Wednesday night Touch is also running again for older members of our community – another great way for people to connect. We’re very happy with what has been a great year for the community and for the Bulldogs family.
Are you looking forward to a break?
I certainly am. I’ll be retiring from the Presidents role as there are other things I have to get done next year – and I have done 25+ years of coaching and taking on other roles. So it’s been a fairy-tale ending for me – but I’ll still see you all next Season.
Jazmin Ball (Manager) - also the Avalon Bulldogs Touch Administration / Competition Director, Registrar and Secretary
It’s a few days after Grand Final day now, how does it feel?
It’s awesome. All of the work that has been put in for this to happen, and for that all to pay off, I’m so proud of these boys. They’ve all shown up, week in week out, and Sunday really showed that that has all paid off.
Will you return as Manager for them next year?
Yes, I would be honoured to do that again. There is already talk of next year, 2026, and working towards going back-to-back if possible.
These boys are very close, it’s become like a little family, not just teammates. So it’s sad in one way that it’s all coming to an end at the moment.
Two days from now you will see them out getting together for a game of cricket, or on the estuary fishing, for sure. And you’re heading into the Summer Touch Season – when does that commence?
That starts on the 26th of September and runs for 12 weeks until the 12th of December. We have the A Grade Presentation on September 12 this coming week, the Junior Presentation the week after that on Saturday the 20th and then we commence the Summer Touch for the Juniors. There’s no break (laughs) – we just keep going for a few months yet.
The Juniors Touch is already full. Last year we started running an Adults Touch footy as well. So we will start registering for that in 2 weeks. The players for this are usually all over 18and run up40 years old, which is amazing. We’ll start running that, which will run for the same duration, 12 weeks, but on a Wednesday night instead of the Friday afternoons for the juniors.
The Manly Warringah District Junior Rugby League said last Sunday; ‘ A huge congratulations to the Avalon Bulldogs taking out the Northern Open Age GOLD Grand Final 2025 and being crowned Premiers!’’
What a Great Year for the Bulldogs - and a wonderful way to celebrate Father's Day 2025.
Congratulations boys - everyone here at the news service is so proud of you and stoked for you too! And of course....
Go Doggies!
About the Avalon Bulldogs JRLFC
The Avalon Bulldogs Junior Rugby League Club commenced in the Manly Warringah District Junior Rugby League in 1962.
For over half a century, the Avalon Bulldogs have brought Rugby League to the northern end of the peninsula. Run by a passionate crew of volunteers, the club brings so much more to our local community than just the game. From events, to mateship, to excitement and social purpose, there’s so many reasons to get involved.
We wholeheartedly embrace the NRL values of Excellence, Inclusiveness, Courage, and Teamwork. We welcome you to come and be part of the sport that we love so much and everything that goes with it.
Our first premiership win was in 1965 by our youngest team, the under 9's. Our Club was awarded the Pop Hall Trophy for the "Best Club" in Manly Warringah JRL in 1982, 1983, 1988, 1994 and 1999.
Website: www.avalonbulldogs.com.au
Instagram: www.instagram.com/avalonbulldogs
2025 Season teams and stats: www.playrugbyleague.com/Club/avalon-bulldogs
2025 Profile 1: Avalon Bulldogs J.R.L.F.C. 2025 A Grade Team
2025 A Grade Grand Final
Avalon Bulldogs WIN!!
Grand Final - Sunday 31st August at Pittwater Rugby Park, Warriewood
home Team Avalon Bulldogs Scored 26 points
away Team Asquith Magpies Scored 12 points
Avalon Bulldogs Open Age tries by:
Taine ALLEN 0 - 2
Corey KIRKHAM - 1
Maxwell BARRY - 1
Avalon Bulldogs Open Age achieved 4 Conversions from 4 attempts. Asquith Magpies Open Mens GOLD has achieved 2 Conversions from 2 attempts.4/4Conversions2/2
Avalon Bulldogs Open Age conversions achieved by:
Chandler WALTON - 1
William KELLY - 3
2/2Penalty Goals achieved by:
William KELLY - 1
Corey KIRKHAM - 1
Team list for Avalon Bulldogs Open Age A Grade 2025 Grand Final
Lock: number 13, Corey KIRKHAM
Interchange 1: number 14, Bailey GRAHAM
Prop: number 10, Jackson William LLOYD
Interchange 7: number 19, Joshua KAMARA
Winger: number 2, Ryan CLISSOLD
Interchange 6: number 20, Liam THOMPSON
Interchange 3: number 16, Tom WALSH
Prop: number 8, Max GIRDLER
Interchange 4: number 18, Kurt STEVENSON
Halfback: number 7, the captain, Will Kelly
Interchange 5: number 17, Cody DAVIS
Five-Eighth: number 6, Jedd WHEELER
Winger: number 5, Chandler WALTON
Fullback: number 1, Michael BOWDEN
Centre: number 3, Taine Allen
Second Row: number 11, Max BARRY
Coach 1 Haig Sare
Coach 2 Matt Edding, also President of Avalon Bulldogs JRLFC
Manager Jazmin Ball, also Registrar and Secretary
Avalon Bulldogs A Grade Presentation Evening
