The Honey Badgers won the 2025 A Grade grand final against the Donx on the weekend by the narrowest of margins 74 to 73.
The score line was a fair reflection of the game with the Badgers closing out the win only in the last minute. In a game of see-sawing energy, it really was going to come down to the wire in key moments.
Both teams seemed to start with uncharacteristically nervous energy.
Quarter 1:
The Badgers started on the overhanging wall on Boulder A and stepped into a power-based paddle sequence involving a series of zero tex holds. This is typically the type of boulder that plays to their strengths but they could feel that they could have capitalised on this more coming away with only two tops and 13 points.
At the same time, the Donx started on Boulder B and rolled through the zone 1 and 2 coordination early sequences but struggled to unpack the intended stacked knee-bar finish and came away a little under-done on 11 points.
Quarter 2:
The Badger’s Archie Eather came out as breaker on Boulder B and found alternative beta early for this knee-bar finish - opening up time and opportunity. They jumped on this and piled on 18 points. This proved to be a major moment.
When Liam Smith and Fred Eather of the Donx both flashed Boulder A early, the potential scoreboard remained close. However, similar to the Badgers, they came close but couldn’t quite capitalise but stayed in touch on 15 points and headed into the half-time break close behind 26 -31.
Quarter 3:
The Badgers started the second well on Boulder C which involved an offset kip and some strength-based moves to finish and ended up with a 20 point quarter.
Meanwhile, on Boulder D the Donx had a solid run and pulled together a 19 point quarter needing a really strong finish to take the win.
And boy did they come close.
Quarter 4:
The Badgers finished strong with a 23 point final quarter and applied the pressure squarely on the Donx. Three flashes and two second attempt
tops pulled them close but in the end they fell agonisingly short of repeating their 2024 comeback by 1 point.
Both teams and all players have every right to feel proud of their efforts. Their collective team and individual performances are a credit to each and every one of them.
Honey Badgers young gun Ryan Cumberland had a cracking day in the office! Photo: Henry Smith
17 Nov 2025