Innisfail Leprechauns cemented a top three finish after grinding out a 30-12 win over Southern Suburbs at Callendar Park on Saturday.
Last time both sides met it ended in a draw, however, the home side made their intentions clear early in the game and drew first blood when Johann Turner crossed the line.
This was backed up soon after with two tries to Dan Sagigi and the extras added by Michael Morton quickly put them out to a 18-0 lead.
Suburbs opened up their scoring through Ryley Archibald and a successful conversion by Richard Joinbee had them trailing by 12.
A try late to Timothy Ambrum in the dying seconds before half time extended Innisfail's lead to 22-6 at the break.
The Cockatoos put first points on the board in the second half with a try to Shane Thomas and the extras were added by Joinbee saw them behind by 10.
There was plenty of raw emotion in the game which boiled over to two separate on-field incidents and in a matter of minutes, resulted in two Innisfail players and one Suburbs player being dispatched to the sin bin.
With less than 15 minutes left in the game, a successful penalty kick by Morton extended Innisfail's lead to 24-12.
A try to Den Waireg-Ingui and the extras slotted by Morton all but sealed the victory for Innisfail just before the full time siren.
This win secures Innisfail with a finals berth and the end of the season for Suburbs A grade and Under 18 season as they have a bye in the final round.
Suburbs Reserve grade side are set to play finals footy as they finished the season with six straight wins and are sitting second on the ladder.
Suburbs coach Luke Saunders said they expected it would be a tough, physical contest against Innisfail's big side.
"We have a good competitive group of young players and I'm very proud of the boys as they showed plenty of aggression and fighting spirit." Saunders said.
Four of Suburbs key players Cephas Chinfat, Patrick Gallen, Brad Lupi and Aidan Day were out due to Pride duties.
In front row, Daniel Tatipata played a huge game with 75 minutes straight against a pretty big pack.
Two 17 year old boys in Joel Winklemuller and Taj Walker stepped up to the challenge, while Nick Marino, aged 18, in only his second A grade game was great in the halves.
Suburbs started the season with only Aidan Day as a Pride contracted player, and since then, there have been four other players from the club go on to play for Pride this year which Saunders said has been rewarding.
The coach said this season, Mossman-Port Douglas had been his side's hardest game.
Suburbs have plenty of depth in their lower grades with the Reserves doing well this season and lots of young talent coming up from Under 18s.
Southerns Suburbs club secured four grants for a $1.7 million expansion project at Alley Park which will see a new pavilion built for next season.
The pavilion will feature state league-sized dressing sheds, first aid room, toilets, committee room, canteen, undercover club area and storage shed which will really bring the juniors and seniors together.
Innisfail coach Leon Hallie named Johann Turner as the player of the match and said it was another tough game against Suburbs.
"Even though we weren’t as clinical as we would of liked, the boys worked hard for each other for the full 80 minutes which is pleasing to see at this time of year," Hallie said.
Lata Fakalelu and Leon Walker picked up injuries in the Suburbs game and will be monitored during the week as this Saturday, Innisfail face another tough contest against Yarrabah.
"While it would be rewarding to beat Yarrabah leading into finals, it's not a priority, so if we need to rest players in order to be fit for finals then so be it," Hallie said.
Round 19 Results
A Grade
Mossman-Port Douglas 58 defeated Edmonton 12
Innisfail 30 defeated Southern Suburbs 12
Mareeba 20 defeated Tully 0
Yarrabah 32 defeated Atherton 28
Cairns Brothers 46 defeated Ivanhoes 4
Bye - Kangaroos
Ladder: Mossman-Port Douglas 26, Yarrabah 26, Innisfail 25, Cairns Brothers 22, Atherton 20, Southern Suburbs 18, Kangaroos 15, Ivanhoes 13, Mareeba 12, Edmonton 10, Tully 1
Reserve Grade
Mossman-Port Douglas 24 defeated Edmonton 22
Southern Suburbs 26 defeated Innisfail 14
Mareeba 34 defeated Tully 26
Yarrabah 34 defeated Atherton 16
Cairns Brothers 44 defeated Ivanhoes 6
Ladder: Yarrabah 24, Southern Suburbs 22, Atherton 21, Mossman-Port Douglas 20, Cairns Brothers 20, Innisfail 19, Mareeba 18, Tully 16, Kangaroos 13, Edmonton 12, Ivanhoes 3
Under 18
Edmonton won on forfeit by Mossman-Port Douglas
Mareeba 20 defeated Tully 0
Innisfail won on forfeit by Southern Suburbs
Yarrabah 44 defeated Atherton 38
Ivanhoes 24 defeated Ivanhoes 20
Ladder: Ivanhoes 33, Edmonton 28, Cairns Brothers 26, Innisfail 25, Atherton 20, Yarrabah 18, Kangaroos 14, Southern Suburbs 12, Mareeba 10, Tully 1, Mossman-Port Douglas 1
Round 20 A Grade Fixtures
Friday, August 23
Ivanhoes v Mossman-Port Douglas at Smithfield Sports Complex
Saturday, August 24
Edmonton v Mareeba at Petersen Park, Edmonton
Tully v Atherton at Tully Showgrounds
Innisfail v Yarrabah at Callendar Park, Innisfail
Sunday, August 25
Cairns Brothers v Kangaroos at Stan Williams Park, Cairns
Bye - Southern Suburbs
Main image: Despite a desperate attempt by Suburbs player Ryley Archibald, Innisfail's Dan Sagigi is able to crash over for his first try of the match. Photo: Maria Girgenti
