Star Emu line-up in sights of Wheatmen

RUGBY UNION: It is impossible to ignore the player credentials of Goondiwindi heading in to tomorrow’s Wagners Wellcamp Risdon Cup grand final at Clive Berghofer Stadium.

The Emus will pack an enviable line-up of Queensland Country Heelers’ representatives for their premiership showdown with the Dalby Wheatmen.

No one knows that better than Dalby mentor Nathan Bradley, who coached the Goondiwindi stars in the Darling Downs squad this year, as his Wheatmen look to retain the premiership they claimed last year with victory over the Emus.

Emus Jay Schulte, Sam Tweedy, Lachlan Tulloch, Will Gilbert, Harry Hawker and Michael Jamieson were all part of this year’s successful senior Heelers’ campaign along with captain Jack Cook who is currently on the injured list.

Collectively they form the latest team nucleus at a club which has had six Risdon Cup victories since 2005.

But knowing your enemy’s strengths will be what Bradley and his team will look to build their Risdon Cup defence around tomorrow.

“It’s one of the best country club rugby sides I’ve ever seen,” Bradley said as his team turned their attention to Goondiwindi following their preliminary final win over Toowoomba Rangers.

“Their representative players speak for themselves.

“They’ll have seven or eight players in that side who have played for Queensland Country. “We’re up for it though. “We’ll definitely prepare as best we can to put up a good shot and retain our premiership.”

But while the Emus’ reputation goes before them there is no denying Dalby’s claims to secure back-to-back title wins.

Bradley’s men have mounted a staunch premiership defence which includes a second-round victory over Goondiwindi and the tightest of losses to their rival in the qualifying semi-final.

The Emus won the semi 9-3 in a try-less match which failed to produce bragging rights for either team heading into the decider.

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It’s one of the best country club rugby sides I’ve ever seen.

— Nathan Bradley