The 2024 Hutchinson Builders A Grade grand final will be contested this Saturday at 6.30pm when Valleys Roosters take on Gatton Hawks at Clive Berghofer Stadium.
Both teams deserve their berth in the grand final after impressive seasons.
Valleys qualified for the grand final when they defeated Gatton two weeks ago in the major semi-final 42-16. Gatton won well against Warwick Cowboys in last weekend’s preliminary final 38-24.
This match on Saturday will be a different affair. Both sides are playing well. Each club have excellent mixes of youth and experience within their line-ups.
Valleys last won the premiership in 2019 when they defeated Warwick 24-16, whereas Gatton last won a premiership in 2013 when they defeated Valleys 32-20.
The Hawks last contested the grand final in 2022 when they lost to Wattles 51-20.
Roosters co-coach Matthew Schulze was at the helm in their last premiership. He and fellow co-coach Josh Barrett will be priming their team for the decider come Saturday.
Gatton’s coach is John Flint, who is in his second year at the club. Flint won three premierships as a player and a coach for the Southport Tigers in 2008, 2009 and 2010. His team has gone one better so far this season after last year’s preliminary final defeat.
The match ups are interesting, especially in the spine. The fullbacks - Gatton’s Luke Self and Valleys’ Denzel Burns - are experienced players and both can change a game in their own right.
Valleys halves Dwayne Duncan and Cory McGrady are probably the most experienced pairing in the competition, while Gatton’s halves in Travis Turnbull and Joel Hughes came together midway through the season. They are young and have worked well together this year.
The hookers - Valleys’ Hugh Sedger and Gatton’s Tom Luhrman - are the form rakes this season. Both have excellent work rates and can influence the ruck.
The wingers in this game all have plenty to offer. Valleys' Alex Hinch and Matt Moore opposing Gatton’s Cameron Bundock and Tye Gray.
Hinch and Bundock are excellent under the high ball. Gray is an experienced campaigner and has plenty of speed, while young gun Matt Moore never dies wondering and is safe in defence.
Up front, each pack has quality players. Both back rows are workhorses. Roosters Josh Keoller and Komiti Vetemotu as well as Gatton’s Leonard Thomas and Joel Brett have been brilliant for their respective clubs.
Valleys captain Jason Sharpe is racing against the clock to be fit for the clash. Western Clydesdales’ Todd White played well when he covered for him in the major semi final. Gatton’s Olly Bichel played very well in the preliminary final and is primed for another big performance come kick off.
The big men in these clashes are always great to watch. Valleys' Jon Palavi and Harry Tombs are in excellent form, as are Gatton’s Ben Haviland and Dalton Desmond-Walker.
The centre match up will go a long way to deciding the contest. Valleys' Barney Litidamu and Dylan Chown versus Nick Short and Blake Appo - the form centre pairings of the competition. Both Short and Litidamu and big strong players, whereas Chown and Appo are both elusive, swift players.
Grand finals are always tough affair and not for the faint hearted. The reliance of their bench players is imperative. Each team have plenty of options.
While yet to be finalised, Valleys have good options with veterans such as Chris Gesch and other unsung heroes the likes of Sam Betros and Daniel Bain, while Eddie Dainteri and Josh Stanton are also in the equation for the Roosters.
For Gatton, Shannon Hicks would give his side valuable direction, while Allan Morris and Tyrone Faulkner have made good impact off the bench all year. Others players ready to be involved off the benches are Dom Pincombe and Steven Bushe. All these players have contributed throughout the season.
The final make-up of the sides will be clearer closer to the day. All in all, this match is shaping up as memorable grand final between two worthy contestants.
The referee will be Chris Henderson, and touch judges Ethan Garton and Bridie Prendergast.
Toowoomba Sports Club Women's grand final
Gatton v Highfields, Saturday 2.45pm
The two form sides of this year’s competition. Their major semi-final game was one of the games of the year. They again meet and this time it is for keeps.
It's the three-time premiership winner Gatton against the young guns Highfields in a much-anticipated match.
The Hawks are going for their fourth premiership in a row to create their legacy in the Toowoomba Rugby League fraternity, whereas the Highfields have been building over the last seasons into a force to be reckoned with.
They are both well coached with Jasin Buhse at the helm of the Hawks and coach of the year Wayne Collie guiding his young Eagles.
Both teams ooze talent with Courtney Robinson, Sarah Hoger, and rookie of the year Mia Davies in good game-breaking form for Gatton.
Morgan Prentice has been great at the back for Highfields as has centre pairing Reagan McMillian and Lucy Davis, with Davis grabbing a double in the preliminary final.
Up front, Hawks' Libby Dunn and Eagles’ Courtney Jackson have been in fine form over this finals series.
Hookers Bonnie Zappa (Gatton) and Abbey Markey (Highfields) are playing well for their respective sides, with Hawks' Caitlan Nolan and Eagles' Eliza Morcom in the form of their lives at lock.
Big game players in Hawks' Kim Dore and Eagles' Katelyn Collie may just hold the key in this match. Both are experienced players and can settle the game down when needed.
This match is shaping up as the match of the day as there is a struck match between them. At full time, history will be made irrespective of which team wins.
Referee: Tom Pulsford. Touch judges: Aaron Lester and Max Doveton
Clive Berghofer Land Sales Reserve Grade grand final
Warwick v Valleys, Saturday 4.30pm
The Warwick Cowboys have their attempt to win that elusive premiership.
While the A grade side came close this year. The reggies’ cupboard has been empty for 15 years.
They have been the team to beat this season - they are the only side in all grades to lose just one match all season. They won well against Wattles in the major semi-final a couple of weeks ago.
The Cowboys face last year’s premiers Valleys in what will be an intriguing contest.
Valleys have been living by the seat of their pants in this year’s final series, suffering a heartbreaking loss in the last second of play against Wattles in the qualifying final.
They then had a 15-minute extra time win over Gatton in the elimination final in week two. The Roosters showed no ill effects of the first two weeks with a 28-10 win over Wattles in last weekend’s preliminary final.
The last time these two sides met was in Round 15 when Warwick defeated Valleys 19-6. On that occasion, the score did not indicate the game. But in due credit to Warwick, they grinded away on that day - especially in the second half - and that is what this Cowboys side has laid its hat on all season.
Destiny is the word for both sides. It’s been a long while between drinks for the Cowboys, whereas Valleys are the defending premiers this year, plus the they have won games in many ways this final series, and their A grade side also contest the grand final as per last year, so they will have plenty of support.
Curtly Hammond, Harrison Burns, Jaren Bender, Junior Chong Nee, Joel Saffy and Anthony Pain are the Roosters players backing up from last year’s win, while Cowboys’ Mitch McMahon and Morgan Taylor were in the Warwick A grade grand final side in 2019.
Eamon Brownlie, and halves Dan Howard and Lance McGrady are the players to watch for Warwick. Winger Jeff Ross also seems to find the try line for the Cowboys.
For Valleys, it's Uraia Koroi and Curtly Hammond - Koroi scoring one of the tries of the season in last week's preliminary final. Jaron Bender's kicking game is second to none.
This will be a wonderful match.
Referee: Mark Kuhn. Touch judges: Ashtyn Byers and Naz Berry
TRL Under 19 grand final
Dalby v Souths, Saturday 1pm
The Dalby Diehards are in form going into this game, with a handsome 34-10 win over Valleys in the major semi-final.
Souths have reached the main game of the year the hard way, playing three knockout finals matches, including one in extra time against Brothers in week two.
The last time these sides met was in Round 11 of the regular season when Dalby defeated Souths 20-4 in Dalby. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since that match three months ago. The young Tiger cubs have not lost a match since.
Similarly, Dalby have not lost a match since Round 8 against Valleys (24-26) on June 1.
This is an interesting contest. Joey Sankey (Dalby) and Tait Cameron (Souths) are the “go to” players for their respective sides. Each are in superb form. However, their teammates have also been playing well.
Sankey’s halves partner Dan O’Callaghan and centre Matthew Drews are also in good form. Drews has played a number of A grade games and also making a difference in the top grade. Bailey Rathmell also played many games for A grade and will be ready to go come kick off.
The Diehards have a formidable forward pack with Toby Harms, Fletch Prendergast and Joseph Gillett all playing well in the finals.
Tigers too have a good pack with props Jack Fogarty and Matty Simpkin leading the way. Centre Tom Fry and fullback Ronan Delaney are the scoring machines of the under 19 competition this year. They also have good pace with Darnell Blades out wide.
It has been a while since these clubs have tasted success. Dalby won the 2021 under 18 title and they lost last season’s preliminary final, whereas the Tigers have not tasted success in this grade since their famous 2019 under 18 side.
Each club’s supporters will arrive in their numbers come kick off. The match will start an amazing TRL grand final day.
Referee: Phil Hennessy. Touch judges: David O'Leary and Lochie Ciesiolka
