Easts Tigers head trainer Matthew Williamson has fanned the flames of passion ahead of Sunday's Intrust Super Cup grand final, pulling out a 35-year-old jersey to remember the last time the Tigers beat the Dolphins in a decider.
While much has been spoken about Redcliffe's 1997 nail-biting 18-16 defeat of Easts at Suncorp Stadium, Williamson prefers to remember the 1983 contest between the two clubs.
"I can remember being 12 and going to the 1983 grand final with my grandfather who was an avid Easts supporter and my best friend," Williamson told QRL Media.
"I'm very proud to now be head trainer of this club in a grand final ... the club I followed as a kid."
An avid sportsman across several pursuits, Williamson is known as an effervescent personality at Suzuki Stadium Langlands Park.
He said he considered it a "good omen" to this week slide on the 1983 premiership jumper worn by Mark McDonald when the Tigers beat Redcliffe in the Brisbane Rugby League grand final, prior to the modern State League concept.
Redcliffe and Easts have won the most games of any clubs since the modern Intrust Super Cup began in 1996, but Easts is yet to secure a premiership.
Meanwhile Redcliffe has won five premierships since 1996, but has lost the last three grand finals it has appeared in.
Sunday's grand final will be telecast live on Channel 9 at 3pm for Queensland viewers and live streamed for outside regions on QRL.com.au and the Intrust Super Cup Facebook page.
The Hastings Deering Colts Under 20s (1pm) and NRL Schoolboys Cup Under 12s (11.45am) live streamed prior on QRL.com.au and the QRL Facebook page.
