SCORING the winning try in extra-time in a grand final, being named man of the match in that victory and earning selection in the Canterbury Cup team of the year - Will Kennedy certainly had a magical Sunday.
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The Bathurst rugby league talent and now Newtown Jets fullback was the hero for his side when he scored in the 87th minute of the decider and helped his side to a remarkable 20-15 win over the Wentworthville Magpies.
The Magpies had looked headed for victory at Bankwest Stadium as a field goal in the first five-minute half of extra-time nosed them ahead 15-14.
But when a Billy Magoulias chip kick was gathered in by Tyrone Phillips, Kennedy was there to support him on the inside. He raced away to score his 11th try in his past eight games and seal the Jets their first premiership since 2012.
"We thought we were gone but we never gave up, credit to the boys, we dug in and we did well," Kennedy said.
"I didn't think much was on, Billy went to the halves and just turned up for us.
"I just saw Billy put a kick in and just pushed through as a fullback would and ended up getting the try which was unreal."
Having lost the opening five games of their 2019 campaign, just making the grand final was a big effort from the Jets. But after qualifying in seventh position they survived sudden-death matches against Mounties, North Sydney then St George to reach the Canterbury Cup decider.
The Magpies, who finished the minor premiership in eighth, had also found form when it mattered and it made for a gripping finale.
The lead changed hands four times in the first half. While a brilliant one-handed off-load from Kennedy set up Ronaldo Mulitalo for the opening try in the 13th minute, the Magpies went to the break with a 14-12 advantage.
It was a shoulder charge on Kennedy, who had split open the Magpies defence then toed the ball ahead, which gave the Jets a chance to draw level in the 75th minute. From 35 metres out, Braydon Trindall nailed the penalty goal.
While Trindall missed two field goal attempts in the dying minutes to see the game go into extra-time, Magpies' five-eighth Jaeman Salmon then hit the target to give his side the edge.
But when Kennedy scored with two minutes, 20 seconds of extra-time remaining it clinched victory for the Jets and helped make amends of Newtown's loss to Canterbury-Bankstown in last year's grand final.
As well as his match-winning try, Kennedy finished with three line-breaks, an intercept, the first half try-assist, seven tackle breaks and 245 metres gained as he iced an impressive Canterbury Cup campaign.
"The start of the season wasn't too good, but we stuck with it and got a positive," Kennedy said.
"It's unreal, it's a good feeling, it's so good. To get that try was unreal. Words can't describe how good it felt."
The Jets will now go on to meet Queensland champions Burleigh in the Intrust Super Championship state grand final on Sunday, but Kennedy has already done enough for Cronulla to extend his contract until the end of 2020.
After impressing for feeder club Newtown, Kennedy made his NRL,debut for the Sharks in round six. It is an experience he hopes to add to.
"My form, I'm pretty happy with where it's at and hopefully I can do well in the NRL if I get the chance again," he said.
"I got a taste of it, so looking forward to a new season and see how it goes. I think another pre-season with the NRL boys will give me a lot of experience and help me out through the season."
