Rivals eager to book clash with Wattles
RUGBY LEAGUE: A date with destiny against the minor premiers is on offer when Valleys and Dalby clash in their TRL qualifying final tomorrow.
Valleys comes into the fixture after a confidence boosting 48-point victory over Pittsworth in the final round of the regular season, which has helped lift the side ahead of the second phase of the season.
They are also the only team to defeat Wattles in 2018, taking down an understrength side in round four, before staging a miracle comeback in the Madsen Rasmussen Trophy final.
Player-coach Brett Seymour is hoping to use last week’s improved effort as the catalyst for a charge at the minor premiers.
“A lot of that (last week) came back to attitude. We turned up ready to play, and that will be a key to this finals series,” Seymour said.
“Obviously we want to win and have a crack at Wattles. We’ve played them a few times and they have been closes contests.
“We fancy our chances against anyone, but we know there’s a lot of hard work to go in before thinking of that stuff.”
One of the key components of Valleys’ success this season has been halfback Cory McGrady, who Seymour said would call the shots tomorrow.
“Cory’s been exceptional all year. He definitely has the keys to the car in our team,” he said.
“If we all do our part we know Cory, and to an extent Hugh (Sedger) and Dylan (Chown) will make the most of it.”
Back in round 10 it was the Roosters that proved too strong, recording a resounding 48-28 win over the Diehards.
Dalby coach Derek Brady said it was an eye opener for the team however, sparking a six-game unbeaten run.
“It was one of our poor performances, but it turned out to be a bit of a turning point,” Brady said.
“Up until that point we had been travelling okay without really dominating sides, and we have improved a lot since that game.
“We’re a different team. We were down on troops. Now we’re a different look side with different attitudes.”
Despite the increased confidence in his side, Brady knows not to take the Valleys charge lightly.
“They’ve had a tough run to the finals against a lot of the stronger teams. Those losses have only been narrow,” he said.
“It has been different to us. We’ve had some comprehensive wins before a tough game against Wattles where they gave us a touch up.”
The Diehards come into the match with an injury cloud over Jason Wardrop and Kruse Turner, and said both would be given as much time as required to prove their fitness.
TEAM LISTS VALLEYS: 1. Dylan Chown, 2. Richard Murray, 3. Matt Hawkins, 4. Kalemb Hart, 5. Zac Miles, 6. Jake Ryals, 7. Cory McGrady, 8. Steve Rodgers, 9. Nathan Bowering, 10. Dexter Buchanan, 11. Hugh Sedger, 12. Hnaloan Budden, 13. Malik Brown. 15. Jarryd Dodd, 16. Drew Jackson, 20. Nathan Short, 23. Brett Seymour DALBY: 1. Corey Blades, 2. Jamie Lawton, 3. Zac Morris, 4. Steve Franciscus, 5. Alex Ambia, 6. Mitchell Taylor, 7. Dylan Taylor, 8. Colin Green, 9. Danny Wassell, 10. Xavier Manley, 11. Dan Manley, 12. Kruse Turner, 13. Chris Wilkes. 14. Jason Wardrop, 15. Anthony Hoepper, 16. Cody Milne, 17. Josh Bentley.