In a game that went down to the wire, the Rams were pipped at the post with La Perouse scoring on the bell, moving them into the semi-finals, and sending Nambucca packing.

“That game was a nail biter,” Rams fullback Michael Tyerman told the Guardian. 

“Some people say the time was not kept properly and some said the ball was dropped over the line and shouldn’t have been a try – but we had to cop the devastating 26-22 loss on the chin.”

It wasn’t all upsets for Nambucca, who knocked out Gulargambone Rovers 24-12, on the Saturday, and Mindaribba Warriors 26-10 and Dubbo Pacemakers 32-4 on the Sunday.

Had they won against La Perouse, the Rams would have finished in the top four, however Michael said the top eight was a great result – from 63 men’s teams.

“We gave the knockout a real big shake this year,” Michael said. “This year we combined with Kempsey to make our team stronger – this was done with only a week before the knockout.

“Most of our first game was spent trying to gel as a team.

“Coming together was a great idea as it is hard to compete with teams from Sydney or Newcastle or other teams like Walgett who all have so many NRL or ex-NRL players in their sides.

“Next year we are hoping all players will stay together and compete again.”

The Nambucca Valley Rams is made up of footballers who have played at a club level all year, with players from Queensland to Canberra - yet all with a connection to the Valley.

The knockout has been running since 1971, and the Nambucca Rams have contested the event since 1983. In that time they have made the grand final four times, winning three from four, in 1996, 1997 and 1999 – against La Perouse – with a loss in 1998.

The knockout is held annually on the October long weekend. The team who wins the men’s receive $80,000 prize money – and the right to host the tournament the following year.