For the 11^th time in 12 grand final appearances since their 1983 premiership, the Tigers have come unstuck in the decider.

For the second year running, and third time in seven seasons, Southcity proved too strong for Gundagai in the grand final.

The Bulls had the better in the first half and despite their best effort in the second stanza the Tigers couldn’t claw their way back into the contest.

Gundagai looked like a new team in the second half as they stepped up their intensity.

However a try against the run of play to Scott Bowden, after Steven Tracey swooped on a loose pass from Luke Berkrey, took plenty of wind out of their sails.

Gundagai captain-coach James Smart thought Southcity’s defence was just too good.

“We gave it everything we had and left it all out there on the field,” Smart said.

“We can walk out of here with no regrets but their defence was just too good.

“They kept on turning up and it is a full credit to them.”

Challenging his team to be better in the second half, the Tigers rose for the fight.

They scored early through Dylan Cole to be well and truly into the contest.

Smart was impressed with the attitude the team showed.

“We have been critical of ourselves, and other people have been critical of us, about the way we perform in second halves this year,” he said. “We just wanted to go out there and make sure we gave it our all in the second half and we did that.”

While ruing another opportunity missed, Smart was more than happy the team chanced their arm with so much at stake.

“I said to the boys that I don’t care if the ball goes to the ground, or we drop the ball, as long as we are trying things,” he said.

“We were trying, we were trying things and the bounce of the ball on that occasion didn’t go our way.

“But we have plenty to be proud of.

“A lot of people wrote us off midway through the year and to be here now, and to put in that effort, I am a pretty proud coach.”

The Tigers looked in all sorts of trouble following a 44-16 loss to Young in round 12 and then a 50-10 defeat at the hands of Southcity two weeks later.

However they regrouped to offer a serious threat in time for the finals.

Smart was impressed by how they overcame the adversity to book another grand final appearance.

“From where we were mid-season and to have huge scorelines put on us and then be here today and challenge that team the way we did, I know I am a broken record, but I am just proud of everyone’s effort,” he said.

Gundagai’s hopes weren’t helped by losing Cameron Woo early.