Grand Final day is upon us, everything these young boys and girls have worked towards throughout the season comes down to this.
Totally Workwear Stadium in East Brisbane will host the three Grand Finals from 10:30 onwards.
Grand Final Round
Harvey Norman u17s
First up are the Brisbane Tigers and Sunshine Coast Falcons, who will compete to be crowned champions of the Harvey Norman u17s.
Falcons’ winger Kirra Pamenter will be one to watch in this match, as the nippy outside back is coming off a double the week prior, showcasing a great ability to fight through defenders on her way to the white line.
The true star of the Falcons backline though is their fullback, Aamira Renouf.
Much like her namesake, Renouf has blistering speed to burn, as well as a nasty right foot step which Tigers defenders should be aware of.
The home team will likely enter this bout as favourites however, after demolishing the Tweed Seagulls in the semi finals 38-14.
Led by an imposing forward pack, the Tigers displayed both brains and brawn in their last hit-out, combining line bending crash balls with sumptuous offloading and backline plays.
Though Te Ahurei Latu and Riley-Jay Henry-Purcell will be imposing through the middle, keep an eye out for edge back-rower Peyton Fakaosilea and her Kezie Apps-esque line running which will no doubt cause headaches for the Falcons.
Cyril Connell Cup
The Cyril Connell Cup Grand Final is the next cab off the rank, as the Mackay Cutters and Burleigh Bears face off for a chance to hoist the trophy.
Coming off a mammoth 40-10 semi final victory, the Cutters will be expecting a much closer game against the Bears.
Cutters’ halfback Grange Womal will be filled with confidence following his double and multiple try-assists against the Falcons last weekend.
The creative half was full of tricks in his last hit-out, even doing his best Justin Hodges impression with a ridiculous tunnel-ball assist in the game’s final play.
Will Hamblin also stuffed the stat-sheet last weekend, bagging a hat-trick from hooker as well as showing plenty of metal defensively.
Hamblin will need to ensure his shoulders are fully warmed up however, as Burleigh centre Kingston Seve showed just how effective size and strength can be, muscling his way over the line for a double in his semi-final against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
Speaking of size, front rower Tyrell Schwenke is another player to watch from the Bears – and not just because of his extravagant haircut.
Schwenke has strength to match his size and is lethal when catching the ball within range of the tryline.
Harvey Norman u19s
The last of the junior statewide competition Grand Finals sees the Brisbane Tigers once again competing, this time against the Western Clydesdales.
It’s the first time a Clydesdale team has made a Grand Final since the club re-entered statewide competitions, a brilliant achievement which their u19 squad should be proud of regardless of Saturday’s result.
Crafty hooker Keeley Pitt will be a Clydesdale to watch whenever the girls from west are within 10 metres of the Tiger’s tryline, as her initial burst of pace from dummy-half paid dividends in their semi-final against the Mackay Cutters.
The Clydesdales will need to ensure they match the energy of the Tigers for the full 60 minutes, as the Tigers fitness and muscle saw them pull away late in the match during their semi-final against the Tweed Seagulls.
Similar to their u17s team, the Tigers u19 squad excel off the momentum provided by their middle forwards.
Kayleen Takai especially commands respect from opposition defenders throughout the middle, opening up space for Sienna Ibrahim and Namoe Gesa in the centres to carve through broken defensive lines.
Round 9
Mal Meninga Cup
Round 9 of the Mal Meninga Cup takes place this week, with a plethora of teams desperately trying to book themselves a ticket to the finals.
The Townsville Blackhawks are one team who are seemingly starting their finals campaign a week early, as they play the Redcliffe Dolphins at Jack Manski Oval.
It’s win or go home for the Blackhawks, as they currently sit in 9th place and will need two competition points if they are to be any chance of playing footy next week.
It’s the same story for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and Northern Pride who sit 10th and 11th respectively, both two points away from the top eight.
The same can’t be said for the Tweed Seagulls, who secured the minor premiership last weekend – sitting two points clear at the top of the table, with a plus 74 point differential compared to the second placed Mackay Cutters.
Harvey Norman U17 Grand Final
Brisbane Tigers vs Sunshine Coast Falcons – 10:30am - Totally Workwear Stadium, Brisbane
Cyril Connell Cup Grand Final
Burleigh Bears vs Mackay Cutters – 12pm - Totally Workwear Stadium, Brisbane
Harvey Norman U19 Grand Final
Brisbane Tigers vs Western Clydesdales – 1:30pm - Totally Workwear Stadium, Brisbane
Mal Meninga Cup Round 9
Saturday April 12
Western Clydesdales vs Mackay Cutters – 2:20pm – Toowoomba Sports Ground, Toowoomba
Townsville Blackhawks vs Redcliffe Dolphins – 3:20pm – Jack Manksi Oval, Townsville
Sunshine Coast Falcons vs Tweed Seagulls 3:30pm – Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast
Central Queensland Capras vs Burleigh Bears – 4:00pm – Rugby Park, Rockhampton
Brisbane Tigers vs Souths Logan Magpies – 5:00pm – Totally Workwear Stadium, Brisbane
Sunday April 13
Northern Pride vs Wynnum Manly Seagulls – 12:30pm – Barlow Park, Cairns
Ipswich Jets vs Norths Devils – 1:20PM – North Ipswich Reserve, Ipswich
