Hostplus Cup contenders eye slice of grand final history

Author: Michael Hillier QRL Media
Timestamp: Tue 13 Aug 2024, 02:56 PM

The Hostplus Cup’s premiership heavyweights are closing in on a piece of history with just over one month until the competition’s top two teams meet in the September 22 grand final at Kayo Stadium at Redcliffe.

Tickets for the highly-anticipated Queensland Rugby League grand final day, presented by Ford, are now on sale from as little as $15.

Family passes are also available for fans eager to get their rugby league fix from a bumper Sunday program that includes XXXX Queensland City versus Country men’s and women’s matches.

The players on show in the City versus Country matches represent the best of community rugby league in Queensland following their red-hot performances throughout regional carnivals.

The Hostplus Cup grand finalists will also be coming in hot given they will have navigated their way through a challenging top eight finals series.

As many as 11 clubs are still in finals contention but exactly who progresses into the September 22 decider remains to be seen given the unpredictable nature of finals footy.

Northern Pride are setting the competition alight, having already secured the minor premiership and a strong platform to go on and win their first grand final since 2014.

The Pride secured their own piece of Cup history that year with a stunning 36-4 win over the Easts Tigers - now Brisbane Tigers - before going on to claim national honours with a memorable victory over the Penrith Panthers the following week in Sydney.

QRL competitions manager Dave Maiden said grand final day promised to be another historic event.

“QRL grand final day is one of the best events on our rugby league calendar,” Maiden said.

Season 2024: History within reach

“You only have to look back at the extraordinary scenes of last year’s grand final when the Tigers broke a 32-year premiership drought to remind yourself just how much this day and competition means to our players, coaches and supporters.

“It was really special day and I’m sure this year’s grand final will deliver just as much excitement and emotion.”

The 2023 grand final not only produced an absorbing spectacle that went down to the final minute, but it also showcased some of the game’s brightest prospects.

Burleigh’s Keano Kini was named Duncan Hall Medallist for player of the match, a performance that helped elevate the dynamic fullback into the Gold Coast Titans team this year.

This year’s Hostplus Cup grand final will be exclusively live on Fox League and Kayo with a 5.30pm kick-off.

Both City versus Country games will be streamed live and free, exclusively on Qplus.tv.