Pulling out all stops in quest for trophy
ONE team is chasing backto- back premierships while the other is out to break a 16year drought, but Brothers and Centrals agree that Sunday’s TDRL grand final will be a thriller.
Brothers and Centrals are the last two standing this season and both look to be peaking at the right time as they prepare for the decider at the Townsville Sports Reserve.
Minor premiers Brothers earned the week off following their 52- 14 semi- final thrashing of Herbert River, but captain Jack Kelleher said they were wary of a hungry Centrals side.
The Tigers are arguably the competition’s form team having won their past six games including a 22- 18 victory over Brothers in the last round of the regular season.
Kelleher felt that loss had actually been beneficial for Brothers and they have done their best to keep up the intensity at training as they look to defend their title.
“We probably got a little complacent. We’d won a fair few games so it ( the loss to Centrals) was probably the best thing for us leading into the finals,” Kelleher said.
“We still did a couple of tough sessions this week, just to mirror playing a game.
“We never take Centrals lightly. Every time we play them it’s a big, physical clash.”
Brothers have won eight premierships since Centrals last lifted the A- grade trophy in 2002, but Tigers utility Wes Barrie said there was a strong sense of belief at the club this season.
“Our old boys have been around all year and it makes you feel that sense of want,” Barrie said.
“We’re definitely looking forward to trying to get that trophy back in our cabinet.
“We’ve only lost a couple of games to River and Broth- ers throughout the season so we’ve been pretty consistent, but we’ve definitely hit our straps coming into the finals.
“We had a very good win over them ( Brothers) and we were missing a few players in that game so it builds the confidence, especially with Matty Bowen coming back into the team.”
It’s impossible to ignore the Bowen factor and the Cowboys legend has been a calming influence for Centrals since pulling the boots back on.
Barrie said it was surreal playing alongside the 270game NRL veteran and he believed just Bowen’s presence out on the field made his Tigers teammates lift.
“It’s something different to look next to you and see one of your childhood heroes,” Barrie said.
“It definitely builds your confidence and makes you feel a lot better about being out on the field.”
Kelleher said Brothers had a great respect for Bowen’s standing in the game, but he insisted they won’t get too caught up trying to target the flashy fiveeighth.
“He’s a class footballer. He’s been around for a long time and done pretty much everything in the game,” Kelleher said.
“I don’t think we’ve got to focus too much on him, though, we’ve got to play our own football.
“Our strength is our middle so I think if we hold the footy and build pressure I’m sure it’ll go a long way to winning the game.”
A victory on Sunday could earn Bowen the first senior premiership of his league career, having missed out in the NRL, Super League and Queensland Cup. TDRL GRAND FINALS Sunday at Townsville Sports Reserve
Under- 19s: Brothers Western Lions ( 11.30am)
Reserves: Western Lions v Brothers ( 1pm)
A- grade: Brothers v Centrals ( 3pm) v