OLYMPIC REACH SEASON’S PEAK
MA OLYMPIC coach Michael Brooks has lauded his side’s 2- 1 major semi- final victory over Brothers as their “best performance of the year”.
Olympic are through to their third consecutive North Queensland Premier League grand final after overpowering the minor premiers in the second half at Brolga Park on Saturday night.
Brothers came out firing and scored the opening goal inside the first 10 minutes before Olympic started to work their way into the contest before the break.
Olympic lifted in the second half and bagged an early equaliser and from there they dominated to secure a direct path to the grand final.
Brothers and Olympic have played some high quality battles already this season and Brooks believed it was the strong team performance on Saturday night which got his side over the line.
“It was probably our best of the year to be honest,” he said.
“It was our most complete team performance, which was helped by the fact that I actually had everyone available for the first time this year.
“Normally there’d be one standout player, but I could have picked out seven or eight of them without thinking about it. “Everyone was amazing. “Sometimes you need a bit of luck to go your way, but even if it hadn’t, I still would have been pretty happy with the effort and determination they showed.
“We were very strong defensively and worked hard for each other and took of our chances that came up.”
Brooks expected both teams would be feeling the effects of the fast- paced and physical semi- final, but he said Olympic won’t take things too easy as they prepare for the grand final.
“Tuesday ( at training) might be a little bit light with how quick and physical the game was, but it was just good to get through so we can have week off to recoup and get focused for grand final,” Brooks said.
Meanwhile, Rebels kept their title defence alive in the most dramatic fashion against Warriors in the minor semi- final.
Scores were locked at 3- 3 at fulltime before they went to penalties, with Rebels prevailing 6- 5 in the nerve- racking shootout.
Rebels will now take on Brothers in Saturday’s preliminary final at Brolga Park, with the winner to meet MA Olympic in the grand final.