Four things learnt from the TRL final

RUGBY LEAGUE: Season 2018 for the TRL drew to a close on Sunday with a belter of a grand final between Valleys and Wattles.

These are the biggest talking points from the TRL’s biggest day of the year.

GREATEST SINGLE SEASON SERIES EVER?

Has there ever been a better standard of games between two clubs in a calendar year than the battles we’ve witnessed betwen Valleys and Wattles in 2018?

Their past four encounters were decided by a combined total of 14 points, and each of those games featured incredible comebacks and gripping finishes that left everybody on the edge of their seats.

While we’re at it, where does Sunday’s decider rank in terms of the best grand finals ever?

One thing is for certain; nobody would be complaining if we were treated to that standard again next season.

DUGGAN’S ABSENCE HURT

Despite a horror start and not having much of the running in the early stages, Wattles looked a bit overawed by the occasion during the first half.

Eventually they settled into their groove and took the lead, before a spectacu- lar long ball from Jake Ryals hit Kalemb Hart on the chest to score in the dying stages.

You can’t help but think the experience and cool head of Matt Duggan would’ve helped during the tough times and the early heat of the battle.

FINALS VENUE HAS TO CHANGE

Spectators well and truly got behind grand final day on Sunday with a sea of red, green and gold lining the stands, but it became obvious with the big crowd that Glenholme Park is not the venue for finals footy.

From the ground surface through to seating on the clubhouse side of the field, better can be done for the TRL’s most important month of football.

Let’s hope we’re back at a top-line facility in 2019.

REGIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE A WINNER

The Toowoomba Rugby League should be happy with the top grade spectacle at the weekend for more reasons than one.

Fans flocked in droves with their team’s colours on and created a wonderful atmosphere, showing what this great sport is all about.

The spirit shown in comparison to a lot of metropolitan-based competitions was a real highlight.

Sean Teuma