The Melbourne Invitational tipped off the first weekend of wheelchair rugby on the calendar in 2024, with Caroline Springs Leisure Centre playing host to 5 National League teams and athletes from across the country. With numerous unavailability’s to Australian Steelers players, rested for the Paralympic Qualifier in NZ in two weeks, opportunity presented for many elder statesmen and young stars to take ownership of their team and push for placing points ahead of rounds 2 and 3 in Brisbane and Sydney respectively.

The Gold Medal Match between Bond University and Sydney University was a thriller, tied at the end of the fourth with overtime ultimately breaking the deadlock and seeing Bond claim their first win in the National League. A heroic performance by Sydney Uni, who played a mid-point line-up with 7.5 points for the entire match almost caused the biggest boilover in National League history when they led with 2 minutes to go in regular time. However an untimely turnover allowed Bond University to tie it at the buzzer, before Bond broke Sydney Uni hearts to win in overtime in front of vocal fans.

For Bond, Mick Ozanne was huge in defence, whilst the combination of young-gun Brayden Foxley-Conolly and Ella Sabljak came up clutch when it counted most. For Sydney University, the strategy employed by coach Richard Voris was executed to perfection, with captain Andrew Edmondson, Jayden Jackson and Tai Martin-Page all playing huge roles for their side. The development of Ben Leaudais was also eye-catching for the students.

In the match for bronze, reigning champions UQ ended victorious after a hard-fought match against leading Victorian team Box Hill. Josh Nicholson was a standout for UQ across the weekend, his relentless defence and borderline annoying use of his pick-bar caused opposition teams plenty of problems, with low-pointers Damien Mortaud and Ryan Boyd also performing strongly for the Red Heavies. For Box Hill, the continued rise of WA-based star Robyn Lambird and her combination with Steeler Shae Graham ensured Box Hill pushed the reigning champions deep into the fourth quarter.

For the first time, a second-tier competition was established at the competition running parallel to the league, designed to increase court time and opportunity to new and emerging players. New prospects Zac Richardson (SA), Will Taheny (SA) and Tye Angland (NSW) all showed they have a big future in wheelchair rugby, with NSW player Jacob Cremen-Darkin providing consistency all weekend.

Thanks to Disability Sport and Rec for hosting a great event.

Final Placings Division 1

Bond University
Sydney University
University of QLD
Box Hill RUFC
Melbourne RUFC

Focus now turns to the 2024 Santos Wheelchair Rugby National Championship in Adelaide May 3-5, where the best Australian and international talent will converge to contest for the national title. Tickets are ON SALE NOW at the below link as we look to fill the stands!

https://www.ticketmaster.com.au/artist/3104034

WEEKEND WRAP – MELBOURNE INVITATIONAL