THE annual Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout could be on its way back to Bathurst after Walgett Aboriginal Connection took out the 2014 edition of the tournament on Monday.

A handful of Bathurst players past and present were involved in the win, with former Bathurst Penguin and now Melbourne Storm prop George Rose named player of the tournament after the grand final.

The WAC defeated the Newcastle All Blacks 28-16 at Raymond Terrace in the decider.

In addition to George Rose, the side also featured his brothers Trent and Matt, who have both spent the past two seasons with Bathurst Panthers and could line up once more in 2015.

Fellow Panther William Kennedy lined up for WAC as well as another Bathurst player in Steve Lane, who has been with the Oberon Tigers in the 2014 Group 10 premier league season.

Following on from their last win in 2010, as hosts WAC elected to hold the 2011 competition in Bathurst. It is a potential venue once more though no decisions have been made yet.

The win on Monday came after Walgett fought back from 16-4 down early in the second half as draining heat took its toll on Newcastle, who had to overcome controversy and a gruelling semi-final win over the Timana Tahu-led Yowies just to make the decider.

Toomelah Tigers protested against the All Blacks on Sunday, claiming forward Michael Lingwood was not indigenous and therefore not eligible to compete.

The protest was dismissed, but it forced the All Blacks’ quarter-final against North-West Warriors to be delayed until Monday morning.

The All Blacks, who featured Penrith five-eighth Will Smith and 1997 Clive Churchill Medal winner Robbie O’Davis, won but had to back up 90 minutes later.

They took on defending champions the Yowies, who included NRL players Tahu, Dane Gagai, Travis Waddell and Maurice Blair.

However, Tahu and Waddell, along with All Blacks forward Isaac Briggs, were sent off after a brawl in the first half. Both sides finished with 11 players after All Blacks winger Aaron Simon was marched in the 50th minute for a high shot as well.

Down 26-18 with eight minutes left, the All Blacks scored twice to knock out the Yowies.

But the hectic schedule told in the second half against Walgett, who scored through fullback George Krepa and halfback William Wright in final 10 minutes to win and claim the $67,000 first prize.

As well as Rose, Dragons back rower Joel Thompson and former NRL player Rod Jensen were headline acts in the Walgett side.

Rose said both sides showed heart in the heat.

“The whole squad really dug deep and we had to against a squad like the Newcastle All Blacks, who I’ve always thought are one of the best sides in this competition,” Rose said.

“Full credit to them, because they really gave it to us and made us work hard for it. It was a massive effort. It was a hot weekend with tough football all weekend. There’s so much talent on the field.”

Rose, a NRL premiership winner with Manly in 2011, said success in the knockout was always special.

“We’ve had a few tough years, but I always thought we had it in us to go further, but this year we just really dug deep and really worked hard for each other,” he said

“All these boys are my brothers or cousins or close mates, so it’s the best feeling to win with them.

“And you’re playing for the pride of your community.

“The first win in 2009 was really emotional. 

“We’d worked hard for a good 10 years for that one and this one again, we were working hard to build our reputation back up, so this means a lot.”