Holcim Cup grand final: Everything you need to know
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Two heavyweights of women's community rugby league will do battle again in the Holcim Cup grand final at Totally Workwear Stadium on Saturday.
The match, which will be available to watch live and free only on Qplus.tv, looms as an epic showdown between powerhouse Goodna Eagles and regular contenders Ormeau Shearers looking for a breakthrough win.
Goodna has been the dominant force in recent years and will be playing their third consecutive grand final, hoping to win back-to-back premierships.
But Ormeau, knocked out in the semi-finals last year, has the wood on Goodna this year, winning two of their three contests including the qualifying final on August 5.
Shearers co-captain Jonny Lavender said tough and "confrontational" Goodna had always been the team to beat and felt confident they could make all the bruises from the season worth it on Saturday.
"All the sacrifices, like leaving our children at home or bringing them out in the cold at night, all those little things that sometimes we don't completely realise until the moment's right here in our face do we think all the sacrifice that we've had to make and now it's here and that's what it's all about," Lavender said.
"We think we've prepared well leading up to this grand final and it's just going to come down to how we compose ourselves in the big moments and how we stay on top."
Both sides share a number of players who featured in the Souths Logan Magpies' BMD Premiership 2023 campaign, with the ex-teammate battle bringing another dimension to the clash.
Lavender said Ormeau's fitness had been the biggest improvement this year and would be a big reason for success if they came out on top on Saturday.
"Our fitness is really up there at the moment. We've had our coach handing us our fitness and conditioning programs at each training and it's been tough," Lavender said.
"I think the way we've prepared this year and especially coming up to these finals, I think we've got the intent to go all the way this year with the preparation that we've done."
Goodna co-captain Shalom Tuifao said this season had been one of the toughest her side had faced as the competition stepped up a gear to chase them down, giving the club "a bit of a wake-up call".
The club has developed a number of new and young players this year and she said they were all "pumped" to showcase everything they had learnt in 2023 in a bid to go back-to-back.
"Other teams are starting to notice where our strengths are and how to work on beating us in terms of our forward pack," Tuifao said.
"That's something that we had to work on to really knuckle down, and really focus on other key areas as well that we weren't able to execute well from the previous seasons."
Tuifao said she was excited to see fullback Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa in full flight on grand final day after watching her awesome progression this season.
"She's an exceptional young player and someone who loves to learn off of those experienced players like Bridget Smith, one of our other co captains, and just really just reeling in a lot of emotions and just learning and executing so well throughout the season for us," Tuifao said.
"She's been one to really create an impact within the team and really gain confidence and experience. She's one to look out for this week."
Tuifao said she was expecting one of the hardest fought Holcim Cup grand finals ever, and was excited at the passion and brand of footy the game promised, particularly with a large proportion of players of Polynesian background on either side.
"It's definitely going to be a really great and tough matchup," Tuifao said.
"We can't afford to be complacent, we've got to stay focused throughout and really just play till the hooter goes off and it's going to be exciting to get out there and represent the Goodna girls and our families and friends."
The Holcim Cup grand final is the last of three senior women's matches taking place at Totally Workwear Stadium on Saturday.
The day begins at midday with unbeaten Community North grade team Banyo Devils taking on Community South winners Beaudesert Kingfishers, followed at 1.30pm by the South East women's reserve grade grand final between Mustangs Brothers and Brisbane Natives.
Main image: Ormeau co-captains Jonny Lavender and Larissa Marurai
Holcim Cup: Everything you need to know
Who
Goodna Eagles v Ormeau Shearers
When
Saturday, August 19 at 3pm
Where
Totally Workwear Stadium, Langlands Park, Stones Corner
Match duration
2 x 35-minute halves
Broadcast
Teams
Goodna Eagles
1. Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa, 2. Dakota Taputoa, 3. Cecilia Smith, 4. Tarleah Fisher-Pearson, 5. Julie Tusa, 6. Vaituulima Soe, 7. Bridget Smith (c), 8. Solosoloula Peilua, 9. Aliya Hura, 10. Caitlyn Taleni, 11. Finao Mikaio, 12. Luisa Vaa, 13. Nakita Sao, 14. Shalom Tuifao (c), 15. Jailyn To'o, 16. Bella Pita, 17. Rosevalentine Mananu, 18. Fuatino Ah-him, 19. Alayna Poasa, 20. Tessa Vaoga, 21. Ivane Poasa, 22. Kayla Taputoa, 23. Aaliyah McGee, 24. Rosina Tupua. Coaches: Vili Leaunoa and Roger Eliu
Ormeau Shearers
1. Hunter Ings, 2. Zhane Kameta, 3. Jean-Shannel Robati, 4. Kiia Parata, 5. Kiarah Siauane, 7. Mystery Kora, 8. Lavinia Kitai, 9. Chante Bates, 10. Larissa Marurai (c), 11. Sulesa Siauane, 12. Melanie Williams, 13. Kiriana Nukunuku, 15. Zhané Fisher, 16. Ruth Tietie, 17. Darianna Nia-George, 18. Jaydah Tofae, 19. Jonny Lavender (c), 20. Janet Mitchell, 21. Frieda Seu, 25. Leeanne Tuai. Coaches: Kimi Breayley-Nati and Ronny Lavender
Match officials
Referee: Oliver Barker
Touch judges: Ben Casey and Ryley Anderson
