Form teams rising in finals lead-ups

RUGBY LEAGUE: Round 15 will be known as a defining round of the TRL Premiership, with the finals picture set and a clear frontrunner determined in the competition. At The Footy with Obee and

Cookie’s Andrew O’Brien was thoroughly impressed with the top of the table clash between Wattles and Valleys, which he said lived up to the hype.

“It was a great game and a glimpse of what the standard of football the finals series will be at,” O’Brien said.

“Wattles have a never say die attitude and they showed that on the weekend.

“They scored in the 14th minute of the second half. In about the 12th minute I had just about called it for Valleys, but they were down to one on their bench.

“One thing Wattles did was show character.”

O’Brien said the signs were good coming out of Dalby as they strive for back-to-back premierships, but recognised they need to lift another gear approaching the finals.

“Their first half (in round 13) against Warwick was one of the best we’ve seen all year,” he said.

“They’re high on confidence at the moment, but Wattles, Highfields and Valleys have unfinished businesses from their exits in the finals last year.

“Their game against Wattles (in round 17) is going to be a real benchmark with two form teams going at it.”

Warwick’s defeat of Gatton has the final-five set in stone, but O’Brien has credited the resolve of teams not in the finals hunt.

He said now was a crucial time for teams out of the race to start building for next season, as they look to work their way back into the finals.

“I like how clubs out of contention showed up and it is something I really took out of the weekend,” he said.

“Goondiwindi and Pittsworth both showed up in their game. These next few games are so important.”

Ben Sullivan lined up at halfback for the Cowboys at Father Ranger Oval in that crucial fixture, with brother Harry shifting to hooking duties.

O’Brien labelled the move a good one from coach Phil Economidis, as the club recovers from the loss of five-eighth Dan Murphy.

“I think it was a master stroke and it may prove that come finals time,” he said.

At The Footy with Obee and Cookie will broadcast on Power FM from Goondiwindi on Saturday and Valleys on Sunday.

Photos: Nev Madsen EYES SET ON THIRD: Nathan Smith has had a big impact off the bench for Highfields as they try to secure third position in the TRL Premiership.

Highfields lock Sam Bielefeld uses his footwork against Southern Suburbs.

Aaron Hooper crosses the line for one of his four tries at the weekend for Highfields.

Southern Suburbs hooker Damian Mills unloads a pass to reserve forward Joshua Ryan.