The result did not go the way of the Jindabyne Rugby Union Bushpigs when they lost 31–15 to arch rivals Bungendore Mudchooks in the Southern Tablelands Monaro Cup Grand Final at Bungendore in early August.

The Bushpigs Taylor Deer (#7 – TRC Trails) crossed in the 13th minute to put Jindabyne on the board first and what could be described as the perfect start for the visitors. Dylan Johnson did not convert and the visitors led 5-0.

It wasn't too long until Bungendore responded, with winger Jy Clarke crossing for a try in the 24th minute, and quickly followed by the Mudchooks fly-half Kyle Shand in the 29th minute. Both tries were not converted and the home team headed to the sheds with 10-5 lead at half-time.

Darcy Alexander (#19 – Rob Kneller Youth Foundation) scored early in the second half (47th minute), but not converted, and Jindabyne were back into the contest at 10–10. They needed to lift and control the ball if they were to stay in the match, but Bungendore were gaining the upper hand.

When Bungendore scored soon after in the 51st minute through lock Jack Stanford, and the try was converted, the lead became 17-10. In the 58th minute, Bungendore's Jy Clarke pounced on a turnover to score his second try of the afternoon, and Thomas Worman converted to leave Jindabyne struggling and well behind on the scoreboard, now trailing 24-10.

Clarke completed his hat-trick soon after to put the result beyond doubt, with scrum-half Worman adding another second-half conversion to extend the Mudchooks’ lead 31-10.

Henry Earl (#8 – Alpine Law) had the final say for Jindabyne, scoring in the 80th minute as the Bushpigs pushed to the finish, the final score showing a decisive result 31–15.

Jindabyne's Dylan Johnson said, "We panicked a bit. Such a young team, it's a high-pressure situation that we're in against grand finals, so little plays come into it, and we didn't make them right".

He agreed that the team handed over possession cheaply, which allowed Bungendore to threaten more often and for Jindabyne to squander half-chances through dropped balls.

"We were trying to play a kicking game, and my kicks were not f...... great, we just didn't execute."

"I'm very proud of the boys. For not making finals last year, to bounce back and make a grand final really shows the character in this group. And we will be back together and better next year."

Issac "Bangers" Maw, a stalwart of the Bushpigs for 19 years and multiple premierships, retired after the game, hanging up his boots forever. He finished his career with a conversion attempt virtually on full time, but alas, the kick missed.

"I've won seven grand finals in my time, but unfortunately I lost two grand finals, but that's the way the coookie crumbles. I am done. The whole body is just not holding up as it used to, it doesn't recover as well," said Bangers.