With the minor premiership wrapped up last week and focus now shifting towards finals, the undefeated Gulargambone Flamin Galah's have been given a bit of a shake up by the Walgett Ewes last Saturday.

A 12-12 draw puts a little dampener on their otherwise perfect season, and more than anything makes the upcoming Ahrens Cup finals series rather interesting.

After threatening for years, 2025 has finally been the breakout season for the Gulargambone Flamin Galah's.

The perennial second best side have turned the corner and have looked about as much of a sure thing for the premiership as a side can be.

A side built on their defensive effort and blistering counter attack, Gulargambone started hot in 2025 and have stayed the course, securing their first minor premiership with a 8-0 record last week.

With the major semi secured the only thing on the line with two weeks to go was their undefeated record, and while they still move on to the final week of the regular season without a loss, questions about their invincibility have begun to surface.

That draw on Saturday shows the rest of the competition that they aren't as immortal as they’ve looked.

From Gulargambone accounts the side just appeared "off" and didn’t show a lick of intensity or defensive effort that the side has been defined by all year.

The top sides will smell blood in the water after Gular almost went down, and come finals it’s a genuine three race for the trophy.

For a bit of context, the Ahren's Cup in 2025 has been clearly split into three tiers.

In tier three we have Warren, Bourke and defending premiers Nyngan, who had been battling it out amongst themselves for the fourth spot this season until Nyngan took down Warren this week to cement their spot in finals.

In tier two there's Coonamble and Walgett, who have handily defeated those below them and will battle it out for second place this coming week - certainly not one to be missed!

But in a tier of their own sits the minor premiers Gulargambone, defeating Coonamble 24-10 and 25-10, and Walgett 24-5 this season to boast a 8-1-0 record with a week to go.

So with the finals series teams locked in, lets take stock of where they stand.

Firstly, Gulargambone.

The cream of the crop in 2025 boast the aforementioned undefeated record, and a level of play that has been a class above this year - or until Saturday anyways.

However, doubts still remain.

For three years now Gular have made the charge all the way to the grand final only to fall at the final hurdle and come off second best.

While their major semi final matchup is still yet to be determined, the expectation will be on them to get the job done and finally get over the hump en route to bring home that maiden premiership.

Walgett's Ewes in June 2025. IMAGE: facebook

Then we have Walgett.

The perennial winners will have their tails up after pushing Gular this week and are looking very dangerous towards the back end of the year.

And while they're still a far shout from those Walgett side that dominated the Touch 7s competition in 2022 and 2023, their experience and impressive no loss record against Gulargambone in finals will certainly be a factor.

The only other major case for taking out the premiership in 2025 belongs to Coonamble, who have built off a strong 2024 season that saw them take down reigning premiers Walgett in a semi final.

The Rams have been building year on year on year. A finals appearance in 2023, then the aforementioned Walgett win in 2024 have put the competition on notice that the Rams are here to stay.

And in 2025, the Rams have been doing all the right things, and as it stands haven't lost a game to anyone not name Gulargambone.

While they still have the unfortunate knack of letting in one too many tries week in week out, their attack when firing is head and shoulders above the rest, even Gulargambone's.

The problem for the Rams attack though, is they still haven't found a way to fire against Gulargambone in 2025, but time will tell whether they finally get over their Flamin Galah hoodoo in August.

Nyngan's lady bulls on July 13. IMAGE: facebook

Lastly, we have the defending premiers Nyngan.

A fascinating story, the Bulls entered the competition in 2024 and proceeded to bulldoze everyone who stood in their way, going undefeated and winning the premiership in their first year.

However, in 2025 look like a shell of themselves and punters wont be giving them much of a chance come finals.

But, at the end of the day winners know how to win, and given a sniff maybe the Bogan Bulls pull off a miracle come August.

Round 9 Ahren's Cup Results:

• Walgett (12) tie Gulargambone (12)
• Coonamble (59) def Bourke (15)
• Nyngan (35) def Warren (0)

Ladder following round 9:

1. Gulargambone: 8 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses, +249 p/d, 42 points
2. Coonamble: 7 wins, 2 losses, +205, 34 points
3. Walgett: 6 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses, +194, 31 points
4. Nyngan: 3 wins, 6 losses, +14, 16 points
5. Bourke: 2 wins, 7 losses, -227, 9 points
6. Warren: 0 wins, 9 losses, -435, 0 points