Runners-up as under-13s in 2018 and again as under-14s in Tamworth two years ago, the Warren Park and Peter Henderson-coached side were beaten by Far North Coast in Sunday's final.

They had earlier in the day edged out Illawarra 7-5 in their semi-final.

READ ALSO:

In what was a "hard-fought", "nail biter", the Kookaburras came from behind, scoring, with Park reckoned, probably about five minutes to go to take the decisive lead.

He and Henderson were "stoked" with the sides' performance, which didn't go unnoticed by selectors with Lachlan Dietrich, Sebastian Lawler, Bernard O'Connor, Will Kelly, Ed Montgomery and Sid Harvey making the Country team.

Matt Edwards and Charlie Bonham also earned Country honours, selected in the 15s team.

It followed a fourth-place finish from their Kookaburras 15s side after being beaten in the third/fourth playoff by Hunter.

The Kookaburras 18s meanwhile finished seventh.

The result wasn't a representation of how well the side played, being pipped by Central West by a point in their first game, going down to eventual champions Hunter after leading 12-nil and losing another game by five points.

Park and Henderson had gone into the carnival knowing their side was capable of reaching the final but wary of the nature of tournament football.

But they were able to put consistent performances together, picking up two wins and a loss from their three games on the Saturday.

"They played really well and played to their potential," Park said.

In the final, Far North Coast just "executed a better game plan than us".

He said they really grew throughout the carnival, and stuck to the game plan well and played some "good running rugby".

They will now turn their attention to next month's State Junior Championships, where they will be looking to better their results from two years ago. They finished with three wins and two losses.

The Kookaburras 12s, 13s and 14s will get their chance to pull on the red and the white at Nelson Bay this weekend.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: