Saturday wrap: Tigers, Bears progress to preliminary finals
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Brisbane Tigers and Burleigh Bears are now one game away from a grand final after victories in the Hostplus Cup qualifying finals on Saturday.
The Tigers fought back from a slim deficit at halt-time, steamrolled their way to a 20-point lead and then nearly got run down against Souths Logan in front of an enthralled crowd at Logan Metro Sports Complex, winning 34-26.
A second try to Jack Smith and further scores from Jezzy Ioane and Blake Mozer - the latter two while Cory Paix was in the sin bin made it 30-26 for the dying stages.
On the last play of the game, Max Lehmann was the hero for the visitors, taking an intercept and racing away in the corner after the final siren.
Souths Logan had the lion's share of the ball for much of the first half and despite losing Logan Bayliss-Brow for the game to a knee injury in the fifth minute, crossed first through Jack Smith.
While Souths Logan enjoyed a 10-6 lead at half-time, it could have been more if not for some stout defence from the Tigers.
Their efforts instilled confidence they could strike if they could even up possession, - even without Jonah Pezet, who left the game in the 11th minute and forced Tristan Hope into halfback - and eventually took the lead two minutes after half time through Leivaha Pulu.
From there the Tigers began to assert their dominance, adding three more tries in the next 13 minutes for a 30-10 lead.
Match: Magpies v Tigers
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Magpies
2nd Position
away Team
Tigers
3rd Position
Venue: Logan Metro Football Fields, Logan
Brisbane coach Matt Church said his side "probably stopped playing a little bit", which gave Souths Logan momentum and the winning coach "heart palpitations".
He said a mountain of defensive work in the first half may have contributed to the lapse, but it was that effort that ultimately set up the win and affirmed the coach's belief the Tigers had greatly improved their resilience.
"We gave away a mountain of penalties and a mountain of possession. I don't have the stats on me now, but it felt like we only had about 20 per cent of the ball and I knew that if we could get even share of the footy then we could score points.
"We showed that in that first half, but that first half set us up to win that game in the end."
Church said the week off was a godsend to some of their senior players, and could allow for Tom Rafter to push for inclusion in the preliminary final at Totally Workwear Stadium.
Souths Logan coach Karmichael Hunt was glad to see his side fight until the end, which would again be needed in a do-or-die clash back at Logan Metro Sports Complex next week.
Hunt said judging by Bayliss-Brow's state in leaving the field, needing assistance from two trainers after suffering his knee injury, he was not confident of the barnstorming prop's availability next week.
Cory Paix may also face further disciplinary action after his sin binning for dissent in the 70th minute.
Meanwhile at UAA Park, Burleigh Bears found their groove in the second half to beat Central Queensland Capras 38-12 and earn a preliminary final berth.
An up-and-down first half for the home side had the Capras, boasting NRL contracted half Anthony Milford, leading 12-6 at one stage before being blown out after what Bears coach Luke Burt rated as one of their best halves of football in 2023.
"I thought the boys came out in the second half and, and really played the way we wanted to play," Burt said.
"The players knew what they needed to do and then they went and executed beautifully."
Match: Bears v Capras
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Bears
1st Position
away Team
Capras
4th Position
Venue: UAA Park, Gold Coast
The coach was full of praise for halfback Guy Hamilton, who not only steered the side around brilliantly, but defended strongly - which doesn't go unnoticed.
"He had Nixon Putt running at him tonight and I thought he did an absolutely fantastic job defensively," Burt said.
"Everyone looks at his attack and yes, it was brilliant, but, his work in defence for us is really not going unnoticed by his peers and the staff.
"I think that we're working really well as a team and, is a big part of our team, but he's definitely not the only one that's contributing. There's 17 blokes out there that are doing a fantastic job."
He said his side earning the week off would prove "super important".
"We've got a lot of bumps and bruises and a lot of boys desperate for a week off and freshen up," Burt said.
"They've had a really tough sort of last five or six weeks and really put their body on the line.
"So the week off is going to do wonders for our boys, that we sort of put together last night to play today."
Main image: Tariq Sims played a pivotal role and scored a try in Brisbane Tigers' win over Souths Logan Magpies. Photos: Zain Mohammed/QRL
