Resolute Seagulls have the final say
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RUNAWAY Bay have declared themselves a force to be reckoned with after flying through to their first decider in the modern Gold Coast Rugby League era.
The Seagulls yesterday landed a major upset on Tugun turf, their 30-22 win ending champions the Seahawks’ dreams of a seventh straight grand final appearance and giving their own club a shot at ending a title drought dating back to 2005.
That triumph came over Parkwood in a league then known as the Amateur Competition, preceding the current eight-team format. Bay captain Matt Gandy was “stoked” to turn the tables on Tugun, having slumped to a 34-12 loss in the previous meeting between the sides in a qualifying final only a fortnight earlier.
Gandy’s team, coached by former Kiwi international Clinton Toopi, will now face minor premiers Burleigh in the final at Pizzey Park.
For much of the season, it shaped as being a premiership race between the usual big three: Tugun, Burleigh and Tweed Heads.
Some suggested Runaway Bay were night-time specialists and would have their hulking pack found out under GRAND FINAL – SUNDAY, 3PM PIZZEY PARK, MIAMI
the afternoon sun. Others believed their lofty ladder position was a byproduct of Gold Coast Rugby League rules whereby an extra half-round is programmed between the top four teams from the previous season.
“Having placed fifth in 2016, Bay got to play those extra three games against bottom-four sides.
But in a tough preliminary final at Boyd St, the Seagulls dispelled all the myths to show they were the real deal.
“We gave ourselves every chance at them down there,” Gandy said.
“They beat us a couple of weeks ago … we had to take the game to them and that’s what we did.”
Gandy said a good start was key to their result and a series of penalty goals – four in total – helped them edge further ahead.
Now they’re coming the Bears.
“We haven’t beaten them all year but as the old saying goes, third time lucky.
“We’re going to have the full Bay support heading for down there as well, so I think it will be an even playing field,” Gandy said.
Tugun coach Martin Griese said his side was more dominant but failed to capitalise on opportunities.
He was disappointed not to send out retiring players including co-captain and club stalwart Dean Murphy on a high.
“He has been at Tugun for a lot of years, so it was pretty sad to see him go out like that,” Griese said.
“Obviously, we would have loved to make a grand final and win it for Dean and he goes out on top but sometimes football is not fairytales.”