Steelers 'bounce back' to upset defending Paralympic champions Great Britain in bronze-medal match
The Australian Steelers have put the heartbreak of their semi-final loss behind them, defeating Great Britain 50-48 to claim the bronze medal in the wheelchair rugby at Paris 2024.
The match was on from the hit-off with the scores locked at every break.
With the two teams so evenly matched, there was nothing in it as the slightest edge proved invaluable.
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Great Britain's Robison Stuart is tackled by Australia's Ryley Batt during the bronze medal match at Paris 2024. Getty
Every time the Steelers looked to have broken down Great Britain's attack, a late turnover would see their efforts yield no advantage.
To start the final quarter, captain Ryley Batt made amends for his critical fumble against Japan, forcing the ball out to earn Australia valuable possession before Great Britain's Stuart Robinson spilled the ball to seal the win for the Aussies.
Adding another try to his name late in the match, Batt surpassed 150 for the tournament.
At his sixth Paralympic Games, the result saw Batt seal a full set of medals.
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"It's good, it's very good but a bit bittersweet thought," Batt told Nine of his team's achievements.
"We probably should be playing tonight in the final but unfortunately those little errors in the semi [cost us].
"It was bloody hard to sleep last night. That game kept playing in my head but it was good for the guys and girls to bounce back.
"We were pretty down — I know I was struggling a lot.
Batt said the support from back home had been "incredible".
"I made a mistake at the end — the one mistake all game right at the end and it cost the game. But it's just amazing having such good support. We were able to bounce back and get this medal," he said.
The veteran said he was "pretty content" just to get a medal given the quality of the other teams.
"It was so even. You saw every game was a nail-biter, so we weathered the storm with our five games," he said.
"Yeah, it's not gold. That sucks but we've got to move on from that. We'll take the bronze, we'll take the rose gold.
Australian Steeler Ella Sabljak celebrates winning bronze with teammate Shae Graham. Getty
"I've now got the full set — two gold, one silver and a bronze — and a few world titles. I'm pretty happy with that."
With the Steelers' campaign now over in Paris, Batt encouraged Australians to keep up the support for the nation's Paralympians.
"Thanks for all the support at home guys and just remember that all of us Parlympians are doing our hardest right now but make sure you support us after the Games too when we're finished," he said.
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"Keep that level of support going because it is hard coming home from a Games on a high like this and you come down in a bit of a slump.
"So make sure you keep supporting all our athletes — Paralympians and Olympians."
