Waves Tigers will be hot favourites to break a six-year drought when they line up in the Bundaberg Broadcasters A Grade Premiership at Salter Oval at 6pm Saturday.
They have not been to the “Big Dance” since going down to Past Brothers 32-28 in 2019, and the Brethren will be standing in their way again as reigning champions, contesting their fifth straight blue riband finale and hunting for their sixth title in nine seasons.
Minor premiers Waves have beaten Brothers in their three clashes so far in 2024, 18-14 on April 20, 28-0 when the match was abandoned at half-time due to lightning on June 22, and 24-20 on July 6.
They also advanced directly to the final, mauling an injury-ravaged Wallaroos 54-18 in the major semi-final a fortnight ago.
While they achieved their goal after being knocked out in the preliminary final the previous two years, including to Brothers in extra-time last year, it means that they are low on match fitness, having played just one game in the past five weeks, but their coach, former NRL, Origin and Test star Antonio Kaufusi is not concerned about their fitness.
Brothers, on the other hand, did it the hard way after being blown away by Wallaroos 44-24 in the qualifying final, and outgunning Wests Panthers 34-10 in the minor semi-final, before having to find a second wind to pip 'Roos 24-22 in the preliminary final.
After leading 16-6 at the break, they fell behind 18-16, then went ahead 22-18, before 'Roos levelled the ledger but missed the conversion. Blake Powter kicked a late penalty goal, which proved the winner in a battle which went right down to the wire.
Kaufusi will be hoping to add to his just one premiership and three grand final appearances since returning to Bundaberg and taking the Tigers’ reins in 2016.
He has just two survivors from their glory day of 2018 - inspirational captain and powerhouse lock Reece Maughan and uncompromising utility forward Kiya Schnabel, who returned to the Tigers’ den this year after four good seasons with Central Queensland Capras.
Kaufusi said they will have just one change to their major semi-final side, with halfback Brendan Grills returning for his first game since breaking his jaw against Brothers on the first Saturday in July, pushing former Penrith Panthers Jersey Flegg star Jack Garrod to 18th man.
The league icon welcomed Grills back, and he is confident they will reign supreme.
“Brendan has been a big part of our team for the past three years – he is a senior player and is an integral part of the team with the role he plays,” Kaufusi said.
“Our preparation has been great and we just have to worry about what we do and be focused on that. Reece (Maughan) has been there and done it and is a big part of the team and club culture, and we have learnt a lot in the last two years.
“Defence is always a big key for us – they have got a few good old heads in the forwards, but we just have to go out there and limit the time they play with the ball.”
Brothers coach and club junior product Andrew Hamilton, who first led the club to a premiership as captain-coach as a 22-year-old 30 years ago, has carved out an imposing record throughout his coaching career.
It included spearheading them to grand finals in each of his four years since returning to the position, for wins in 2021 and 2023.
He will have the luxury of fielding the same side two weeks in a row for the first time this season.
Hamilton said their “old heads” such as Jason Wardrop, Luke Stillinovich, Tom Akers, Tien Nguyen, Benaiah Kambanei, captain Tyrell Priestley and grand final winner of the past two seasons (with Seagulls in 2022 and Brothers last year) Max Shorter would hold them in good stead.
Hamilton was not worried about their two recent hot-and-cold performances against 'Roos or the three losses to Waves during the fixture rounds, two of which went down to the wire.
“Wallaroos play an unorthodox style with short kick-offs, bombs, and little chip kicks, and they again got a fair amount of possession with penalties and that last week,” Hamilton said.
“Waves play a different style – you know what they are going to do in some regard, but they are well coached and we have to remain focused when they have got the ball.
“I think we are strong across the park, but we will have to be at our best and if we can get as much ball as they do, we will be a fair chance of winning it.”
Waves and Brothers will also battle it out in the under-18 and reserve grade grand finals at 2.45pm and 4.15pm respectively.
The Tigers were minor premiers in both divisions, but were beaten by the Brethren in the major semi-finals in both – 24-6 and 20-16 respectively – and for the reserve grade side it was their first loss of the season.
The two defeated teams bounced back against Hervey Bay Seagulls in their preliminary finals, with the under 18s getting home 20-10 with a double to five-eighth Kian Young and a 12-point haul to electrifying fullback Preston Walsh with one try and four goals.
Waves were staring down the barrel at half-time in reserve grade, trailing 16-4, but they regrouped and advanced 26-22 with teenage halfback Ryan Bugeja a match winner with 14 points from two tries and three conversions.
The Tigers will also line up in the under 14 and under 16 deciders against Wests Panthers at 10.30am and South Burnett at 1.15pm respectively.
The bumper program will kick off at 9.15am with Agnes Water up against Hervey Bay Seagulls Red in under 13, while the Seagulls go head-to-head with Easts Magpies in under 15 at 11.45am.
