Battle to stay in play
NOT since 2010 has a Rugby League Gold Coast decider featured neither Tugun nor Burleigh.
In that period, the heavyweight foes have directly played off for the premiership trophy on three occasions.
On Saturday, they will be locked in intense battle once more but with a different sort of reward on the line as they enter sudden death a week early.
Unless Ormeau pull off a shock win over Southport – which doesn’t appear likely given their 72-4 loss to Tweed yesterday – the winner at Pizzey Park will proceed to the actual playoffs. The loser will be bundled out.
Burleigh have won six of their past seven games, including 40-28 against Bilambil yesterday, to revive their title defence.
Tugun meanwhile knocked off the top side for the second straight week, backing up their upset of Tweed to down Currumbin 18-12 on Saturday.
The derby had been locked up at 12-12 until Seahawks second-rower Anthony Gray caught the Eagles defence by surprise, scooting out of dummy-half for the matchwinner.
“It has really been do or die games. It’s good to build some momentum and hopefully we
will get the win this weekend and anything can happen in the finals,” said Tugun captain Nick Harrold.
“We have just been waiting to get our full-strength side back on the park and now we have, we’re playing with a lot of confidence.”
Runaway Bay defeated Southport 26-14 at Bycroft Oval.