Club wins first Anzac Cup trophy

MULLUMBIMBY Brunswick Valley has secured its first Anzac Cup title with a 5–3 win over Bangalow, marking a historic start to the men’s premier league season.

The win is the club’s first piece of silverware in the premier division, despite being active in the region since 1974. The team only joined the top grade in 2022.

Bangalow went into the match as reigning Football Far North Coast premiers, but were outplayed in a fast-paced final.

The Anzac Cup, a prestigious competition dating back to 1949, is one of the most sought-after trophies in the regional calendar.

Mullumbimby Brunswick coach Beau Savage said it was a watershed moment for the Valleys club.

“It was quite an emotional moment for a lot of people, and you could definitely call it a fairytale,” Savage said.

“I think most people thought we would get beat and there were definitely some nerves there.

“This is the best start to a season the boys have had, they’ve grown physically and mentally and are now really confident footballers.

“I knew it would happen for them, but what they have managed to achieve in a short time is something special.

“We’ve lost players to bigger clubs nearby over the years and I’m thrilled that these guys have stuck together.”

Striker Ethan Zikhron was the standout, scoring a hat-trick, while Aaron Andrews added two more goals.

Savage said most of the squad came through the club’s junior ranks, and many had worked for him locally.

“About 10 of the boys have worked for me at some point and they asked if I would coach them this year,” he said.

“They wanted me to coach this year and I was actually overseas before the game.

“I ended up flying back game day, I hung around for the celebrations, then got back on a plane for another week in Japan.

“We’ll probably have a target on our back for the rest of the season now and the goal will be to finish somewhere in the top four.”

In other results, Byron Bay won the women’s Callan McMillan Memorial Shield A division final 5–1 against Richmond Rovers.Lismore Thistles defeated Goonellabah 4–0 in the women’s B division final.

Wet weather forced the postponement of the remaining Anzac Cup finals.