Forwards get job done
Six things learnt from TRL final
RUGBY LEAGUE: The TRL Premiership has been run and won for another year, with Valleys securing a record 36th title with its defeat of Warwick.
The Cowboys came to play and left everything out on the field, however it was the Roosters blistering second half that lifted them home.
These are the six talking points from the TRL grand final.
LAPSE PROVES COSTLY
Warwick showed plenty of grit when Valleys attacked their line in the first half.
However a couple of costly defensive errors cost them dearly and gave Valleys valuable momentum to close out the game.
It started with a Cory McGrady grubber not being cleaned up, and was followed up minutes later by Ben Cook hitting a massive gap on the Cowboys line.
FORWARD PACK LEADS THE WAY
The likes of Drew Jackson and Dexter Buchanan laid an incredible platform for the Valleys halves to work off.
They were constantly getting their team on the front foot, and their quick play the balls proved the catalyst for a strong attacking effort.
Jackson was rewarded for his performance with the John McDonald Medal.
BURNS BOYS ALWAYS A THREAT
It was a scary sight for Warwick whenever Denzel or Gerome Burns got their hands on the ball.
The brothers were constantly asking questions of the Cowboys defence, with a number of line breaks and half-chances to their names.
It’s scary to think that Denzel missed a number of games throughout the year and Gerome only joined the club after the first fixture round was completed.
SCHULZE STEPS UP TO THE MARK
A lot of credit has to go to Valleys coach Matt Schulze.
He stepped into the role mid-season after the departure of Brett Seymour, and despite having a star-studded line-up, he was able to get the job done in trying circumstances.
Schulze led them to a minor premiership and helped the side bounce back from a loss to Warwick a fortnight prior.
WATSON’S SIGNS PROMISING
There was a lot to like about Warwick’s Mitch Watson and his efforts on Sunday.
The winger finished the game with a hat-trick, including a number of classy finishes in tricky situations.
He appeared to be struggling with a leg injury throughout the second half, but like a true competitor he battled on.
INJURIES CRUEL COWBOYS CHARGE
The injury gods weren’t on Warwick’s side on Sunday, with both Craig Donn, Zach Koitka and Simona Vavega succumbing to injury.
The knock to Donn proved particularly harsh for the Cowboys, with the fullback having a strong game up until his leg injury, taking a number of towering bombs from the boot of Dwayne Duncan.
Koitka shifted to the back, until he went down, forcing a large reshuffle as the Cowboys tried to cut back the lead.
Photo: Nev Madsen