Halves stepping up
Photos: Kevin Farmer
RUGBY LEAGUE: As the TRL Premiership moves into the second week of the finals, four teams remain in the hunt for the ultimate prize.
Andrew O’Brien from At The Footy with Obee and Cookie
was on hand at Glenholme Park, and lauded a hard-hitting contest between Warwick and Highfields.
“The game just grew and grew and got more intense as it went along before it came to a boiling point,” he said.
“Players from both teams put their bodies on the line.
“Highfields really stood up. They still have work to do on their mental game, and they would admit that they have to be better going forward, but they played well as a team.”
O’Brien had particular praise for halves pairing Sean Loxley and Jarrod Lee, who were able to bounce back from a below-par showing against Wattles the week prior.
“Sean was our player of the day, followed by Jarrod Lee,” he said.
“It was the beginning of a fairytale on Sunday. Those two by their own admission didn’t play well (against Wattles).
“Gus (McKellar) asked them to lift. They did, and they delivered.
“They weren’t perfect, but they showed a lot more confidence in themselves, as well as guts and determination into the wind.”
As for the Cowboys, their season is now over for 2018, and O’Brien said their afternoon was summed up in the second half after a missed penalty goal with less than 10 minutes to play.
“It was heartbreak more than anything,” he said.
“The look on Michael Bloomfield’s face when he missed the kick said it all for Warwick.
“They were fierce and competitive, but they just couldn’t get through the annoying Highfields defence who were in their faces all game.
“Garry (Ellery) was wonderful in a losing side, and Declan (McLoughlin) tried hard.”
Valleys were able to hold off a fast-finishing Dalby side to book their spot in the grand final qualifier, and O’Brien said it was a familiar face that led the way.
“Brett (Seymour) had one of the best defensive games I’ve seen from a player all year,” he said.
“He wasn’t just defending to stop raids at the right time, but was really making a difference.
“The whole club, not just the team turned up on Sunday.
“To see 18-year-old Richard Murray, he was really mixing it up with the big boys and getting himself right in the middle of the ruck.”
He labelled it the Roosters’ finest performance for the season to date.
“They put the game to bed,” he said. “Taking nothing taking away from their Madsen Rasmussen Trophy win, but when the game was on the line and the defending premiers were fighting back, they lifted and showed their resolve.
“I thought a couple played injured for Dalby, and they waited for the game to come to them rather than grabbing it.
“They woke up in the second half but it was the Roosters defence that really put them off their game.”
As for this weekend, O’Brien said the grand final qualifier was shaping up as a quality contest.
“The premiership race has really come alive and Wattles versus Valleys should be a ripper,” he said. “Valleys believe they can beat the favourites this weekend, and both teams will throw everything at it.”
At The Footy with Obee and Cookie will broadcast both TRL finals between Dalby and Highfields, and Wattles and Valleys this weekend on Power FM.