Emus given narrow nod for grand final
Title hopefuls to face off
Dalby stole their crown last year but two of the Wagners Wellcamp Risdon Cup’s most experienced campaigners are tipping it will return to Emu territory on Saturday.
Dalby and Goondiwindi meet in this year’s grand final at Clive Berghofer Stadium where the Wheatmen are hell-bent on retaining the trophy they waited 12 years to reclaim with a 21-15 win over the Emus in last season’s competition decider.
But in what shapes as another knife-edge match both Toowoomba Rangers coach Sam Hannant and Condamine captain Roger Geldard lean slightly towards an Emus’ victory.
“I find it hard to see Gundy being beaten,” said Hannant, who saw his team defeated last week by Dalby.
“If they have their full team on the paddock you are looking at a side with five or six current Queensland country players and that experience will probably give them the edge.
“Dalby is a well-rounded side and their job will be to try and match Gundy in the forwards who are so strong with experienced players like Sam Tweedy and Lachie Tulloch who I consider to be close to, if the not the best,
forward in the competition.
“It shapes as a great game and Dalby can make it really interesting if they get off to a good start.”
Geldard expects the Emus’ back line to impact heavily.
“My brother (Andrew) will be playing for Dalby and I’ll be cheering for them,” Geldard said.
“But the two best teams have made it through to the grand final and that’s great for the competition.
“There’s not a lot between them but I think Gundy might just have an edge through the midfield.
“Their centres Michael Jamieson and Harry Hawker are a real strength.
“Dalby did a good job against Rangers last week but they made a few uncharacteristic mistakes which they got away with.
“Gundy is a team that can make them pay if they repeat that this week, but Dalby is well coached and I’m sure they are ready for a big game on Saturday.”