Statewide score wrap: Brothers' women to fly the flag in Rockhampton grand finals

Brothers has done it the hard way to qualify for another Rockhampton women's A grade final, and for the third consecutive occasion it will be against Emu Park.

The two teams battled in the first week of the finals, with Brothers going down 16-0 before winning against Fitzroy/Gracemere in the second week to set up Saturday's showdown with minor premiers Wallaby.

Brothers rose to the task against the club celebrating 100 years, scraping out a tense 10-8 victory with a 52nd minute Alenna Whipp try proving the difference.

Brothers captain Bree Spreadborough said the game could have gone either way but was full of praise for the way they rose to the challenge after addressing the need to lift to another gear after halftime.

"There were some things we weren't overly happy with, but our defence was probably some of our best and especially with a strong team like Wallaby, they were just a bigger and stronger team and they were targeting our littler girls, but I just told them we probably played about 95 per cent and we needed to give 110 per cent to get the win," she said.

"There's definitely some things we need to tidy up. But I think if we work well during training this week, we will have a good performance again this week."

The Central Queensland Capras BMD Premiership winger said prop Kiara Tull, centre Mia Power and schoolgirl half Caitlyn Tanner particularly answered the call on Saturday, inspiring the win and showing what it would take to get the job done in the decider.

"Kiara Tull, one of our forwards, she had an excellent game in defence. Her defensive efforts were some of the best we've seen and then she made a break that led to a try, which was really great for us," Spreadborough said.

"Caitlyn Tanner, she's our half on the right side. She hasn't been able to play for the past few (weeks) due to school footy, but she was able to slot straight back in and played a really good game as well."

Spreadborough said she was glad to be able to continue the rivalry with Emu Park, who also qualified for the men's A grade final, beating Brothers 34-32.

Her side will be looking to avenge the men's defeat and heap more pain on their grand final opponents, sending them packing without the silverware the past two seasons.

"It's gonna be another really close and tough game," Spreadborough said.

"I think our last three games in the semis have been very close and very tough.

"It's some of the best A grade women's footy we've seen in Rocky since its inception, basically even the other teams have just said some of the best footy we've been able to play (between Brothers and Emu Park), which is really good for the crowd and community to see.

"It will come down to who wants it more on the day."

Emu Park coach Jason Field watched Brothers get over the line and expected a great game between the two teams.

"They're a very fit team and a very well-skilled and well-drilled side. I would expect they will be in the fight for the whole game," he said.

"I think last time we played them it was nil-all at halftime.

"It just goes to show the mental toughness and the fitness of each of the teams.

"It wasn't until the back end of the game that we actually got the win.

"So bounce of the ball is crucial and I truly think that any team on the day can win the game."

Images courtesy of Boothy's Action Photo Art

QRL Central region

Central Burnett Rugby League

Preliminary final

Eidsvold Eagles 38 def Mundubbera Tigers 30

Grand final: Gayndah Gladiators v Eidsvold Eagles

2023 Emerald Industrial Supplies Central Highlands Men's A grade 

Round 17 results

Emerald Brothers 36 def Peak Downs Pirates 32

Clermont Bears 64 def Middlemount Panthers 4

Emerald Tigers 72 def Springsure Mountain Men 6

Bluff Rabbitohs 44 def Blackwater Crushers 22

Ladder

SRO Technology Central Highlands Women's A grade

Round 12 results

Blackwater Crushettes 20 def Bluff Bunnies 4

Ladder

Rockhampton Men's A grade

Preliminary final

Emu Park 34 def Brothers Rockhampton 32

Grand final: Yeppoon Seagulls v Emu Park

2023 Intersport Yeppoon Rockhampton Women's A grade

Preliminary final

Brothers Rockhampton 10 def Wallaby RLFC 8

Grand final: Emu Park v Brothers Rockhampton

Roma District Rugby League Men's A grade

Round 13 results

Miles Devils 44 def Taroom-Wandoan Battlers 20

Mitchell Magpies 56 def St George 18

Wallumbilla/Surat Red Bulls 50 def Chinchilla Bulldogs 0

Ladder

Wide Bay Open Women

Round 12 results

Wondai-Proston Wolves 22 def Fraser Coast Crushers 12

Cherbourg Hornets def Bundaberg Bears (forfeit)

Ladder

Rugby League Gladstone Men's A grade

Semi-final

Valleys Diehards 54 def Tannum Sands Seagulls 4

Grand final: Brothers Gladstone v Valleys Diehards

Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League Men's A grade

Round 15 results

Beerwah Bulldogs 70 def Nambour Crushers 0

Caloundra Sharks 24 def Coolum Colts 20

Caboolture Snakes 22 def Kawana Dolphins 12

Noosa Pirates 26 def Maroochydore Swans 18

Ladder

Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League Women's A grade

Round 15 results

Beerwah Bulldogs 42 def Nambour Crushers 0 

Caloundra Sharks def Gympie Devils (forfeit)

Caboolture Snakes 30 def Kawana Dolphins 14

Ladder

South Burnett Ken Mills Isuzu Men's A grade

Round 10 results

Wondai-Proston Wolves 38 def Murgon Mustangs 24

Kingaroy Red Ants 32 def Cherbourg Hornets 20

Ladder

Hutchison Builders Toowoomba Rugby League Men's A grade

Round 15 results

Gatton Hawks 66 def Oakey Bears 4

Goondiwindi Boars 52 def Highfields Eagles 10

Pittsworth Danes 32 def Wattles Warriors 16

Warwick Cowboys 50 def Toowoomba Brothers 16

Dalby Diehards 48 def Southern Suburbs 12

Toowoomba Valleys 38 def Newtown Lions 4

Ladder

Toowoomba Sports Club Women's A grade

Round 15 results

Gatton Hawks 14 def Oakey Bears 12

Newtown Lions 42 def Toowoomba Valleys 8

Dalby Diehards 32 def Southern Suburbs 0

Ladder

QRL North region

Far North Queensland Rugby League Men's A grade

Round 16 results

Ivanhoes Knights 38 def Cairns Brothers 12

Cairns Kangaroos 38 def Yarrabah Seahawks 28

Mareeba Gladiators 32 def Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks 14

Atherton Roosters 38 def Edmonton Storm 10

Ladder

Rugby League Townsville District Men's A grade

Round 15 results

Souths Bulls 48 def Western Lions 32

Herbert River Crushers 26 def Charters Towers Miners 22

Cairns Brothers 56 def Norths Devils 10

Ladder

Rugby League Townsville District Women's A grade

Round 15 results

Brothers Townsville 34 def Norths Devils 10

Herbert River Crushers 80 def Charters Towers Miners 0

Ladder

Mount Isa Rugby League Men's A grade

Grand final

Wanderers 22 def Townies 14

Mount Isa Rugby Legaue Women's A grade

Grand final

Wranglers 34 def Blackstars 0

Northern Peninsula Area Regional Rugby League

Week 5 results

New Mapoon Warriors 18 def Alau Eagles 12

Injinoo Crocs 28 def Bamaga Roos 8

Ladder not available

QRL South East region

Rugby League Gold Coast A grade

Round 13 results

Burleigh Bears 36 def Helensvale 14

Currumbin Eagles 42 def Runaway Bay Seagulls 12

Southport Tigers 28 def Tugun Seahawks 0

Ladder

Ipswich Jets A Grade Cup

Round 16 results

Brothers Ipswich 42 def Redbank Plains Bears 30

Fassifern Bombers 54 def Norths Tigers 12

Ladder

South East Women's Holcim Cup A grade

Round 14 results

Valleys Diehards 20 def Currumbin Eagles 6

Runaway Bay Seagulls 34 def Nerang Roosters 12

Ormeau Shearers 32 def Beenleigh Pride 20

Ladder