Macquarie Raiders stun Mudgee in premiership qualifying final

The Macquarie Raiders secured a major upset in the first Peter McDonald Premiership qualifying final of 2026, defeating the minor premiers, Mudgee, with a score of 22-8 at Club Mudgee Stadium.

Despite playing with only 12 men for part of the second half following the sin-binning of Mason Williams, the Raiders maintained their lead. Wyndham Peachey scored a crucial try in the second half to regain control, and Tyson Fuller added a long-range effort late in the game to seal the victory. Mudgee now faces do-or-die football to remain in the competition.