Sunday wrap: Tigers grind out tough win to secure grand final berth
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A gutsy and gritty preliminary final performance from the Brisbane Tigers has secured them a spot in the premiership decider with the Burleigh Bears.
On home turf at Totally Workwear Stadium, the Tigers scored three tries to one to earn themselves their first grand final appearance since 2018, claiming a 14-6 victory over the Central Queensland Capras on Sunday.
Both teams threw everything they had into the do-or-die clash - with the scoreline locked at 8-6 for 38 minutes - but it was a try to Melbourne Storm affiliated centre Kane Bradley in the 71st minute that broke the tension and sealed the deal for the home side.
Captain Ryley Jacks was proud of his team's effort after the match, particularly in defence, as they only leaked one try to the Capras in the 8th minute.
Match: Tigers v Capras
Finals Week 3 -
home Team
Tigers
3rd Position
away Team
Capras
4th Position
Venue: Totally Workwear Stadium, Brisbane
"I'm pretty happy," Jacks said.
"That was a tough game and it reminded me a lot of the last time we played them here. It was a real tight game, not many points.
"We did so well to defend... it was just unreal. We just kept turning up.
"We knew they were a real set-for-set team but so are we."
The Tigers will now meet the Burleigh Bears in this coming Sunday's grand final at Kayo Stadium, after the Bears piled on the points against Wynnum Manly Seagulls yesterday to race away with a 57-8 victory.
While he wants the team to focus on their attack over the next week, Jacks said a repeat effort in defence from the Tigers will be crucial against Burleigh.
"Defence wins premierships," Jacks said.
"If we get our D right, our attack will fall into line. It will be the same next week, it's been the same for 22 games now. Nothing will change for us. We back our D."
The Tigers' Cup side qualified for the premiership decider just two hours after their Hastings Deering Colts team.
At the Cup level, it has been 32 years since the Tigers won a title and for Jacks - a local junior - it would mean everything to break that drought come Sunday.
"Just for the club... this club being successful means a whole heap to me," an emotional Jacks said of potentially winning the premiership.
"My first game when I was a six-year-old was with the Tigers. It's been my club pretty much all my life so it means a lot.
"But just getting there isn't good enough and we know that. We need to win one. It's been a long time.
"The job's not done at all."
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To snap up your seats to the 2023 Hostplus Cup and Hastings Deering Colts grand finals, click here.
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