The ACT went down to Western Australia 29-24 on Sunday, despite outscoring the home side four tries to two.

The radar-like boot of WA’s Campbell Parata proved the difference, the fly-half slotting two conversions and five penalties in the win.

Co-captain Hogan (prop), Tyrrell (lock) and Driti (prop) were among the ACT’s best in the unlucky loss.

Tyrrell’s father, Anthony, attended the match and said the trio made their mark during the season.

“They gave 120 per cent all year. They just worked their butts off,” he said.

“They’ve sort of opened the doors up as well. They’ve shown country kids can get in there and mix it with the best of them.”

Griffith Blacks junior coach Aled Francis said the club was immensely proud of the boys’ achievements.

“We coudn’t have asked for more of them,” he said.

“These boys were all playing as run ons. They weren’t just coming on for 10 minutes here or there.

“It just shows the level the boys were operating at.

“We need that level in the country. The amount of training and dedication these boys put in was amazing.

“It’s a huge compliment to them and their families.”

Hogan, Tyrrell and Driti did part of their training for the Junior Gold Cup in Griffith to try to lessen their travel burden to Canberra. 

On the back of their success, Francis said the ACT Brumbies planned to launch a satellite training program in May for Griffith’s representative players. 

“To be perfectly honest, I think we used these boys (Hogan, Tyrrell and Driti) as guinea pigs to see if we as an area could do it and we’ve done it,” he said.

“They (ACT) lost the final, but as individuals the boys can hold their heads up.

“These boys have proven themselves and shown that country rugby can be as strong as city rugby, providing we have the correct organisation in place.”

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