The 16-member squad featured nine players from Griffith, which once again reinforced its reputation as a regional football stronghold in NSW.

Coached by Jordan Crawford, Riverina won six from eight games to claim the overall state title and Country Cup, scoring a tournament-high 19 goals in the process. 

Riverina made a strong start to their campaign by upsetting Metro Far North 4-2 before losing by the same score to Metro North later on day one. 

Crawford’s players really hit their stride on day two when they defeated Metro Far South and Metro West without conceding a goal, the results catapulting them to the top of the competition table.

Riverina suffered a setback at the start of day three when they fell to a physical Metro East team 2-0, but they later showed their character in a tournament-defining match against Metro South.

Riverina looked in serious trouble when they trailed 2-0 at half-time, but after a pep talk from their coach they fought back to level the game at 2-all before clinching a dramatic 3-2 victory in the dying minutes.

With other results falling their way, Riverina maintained top spot at the end of day three and knew they were in with a genuine shot of winning the championships with only their country rivals to play.

Riverina made no mistake in their final two matches on day four.

After beating Country Southern 5-2 in the morning, they backed up to defeat Country Western 2-1, the victory delighting Crawford and the players’ parents who were there to watch the game.

Riverina’s effort to win the championships was a huge improvement on last year’s seventh place.

Riverina under 13 boys: Brock Twigg, Jake Serena, Michael Salvestro, Carter Ramsay, Tyler Andreazza, Hayden Harrison, Luke Stevens, Benjamin Smith, Jack Drummond, Nicholas Zappala, Isaac Hover, Jordan Austin, Anotidaishe Matowe, Kye Halloway, Nathan Ciccia, Elijah Brooker. Coach: Jordan Crawford.