Teachers to give lesson in attack
THREE- TIME defending premiers Teachers West plan to stick with their attacking formula in today’s blockbuster TDRU semi- final clash with Brothers at Mike Carney Toyota Park.
The competition’s two heavyweights will battle it out for the chance to go straight through to the grand final.
The Bulldogs have taken all comers to go unbeaten through the 18- game regular season, scoring an average of 62 points while conceding just over three per game.
That blistering attack has been the focal point of their winning streak and Teachers coach Terry Shiells said they had no intention of reinvent- ing the wheel for the finals.
“I wouldn’t imagine much is going to change. We’re obviously going to try and attack the line and work hard on our defence,” he said.
“We’ve been working hard on playing attacking footy all year so we’re not going to tuck the ball under the arm and keep it. We’re going to obviously still have a go.
“Finals are won by being accurate in your attack and good at your defence. They’re the sort of things that we’ll take on board.”
Brothers have also been dominant with a 15- 3 record – scoring 53 points per game and conceding just eight – but they’re yet to beat the Teachers this season.
All three clashes have been hard- fought and Shiells expected Brothers to be at their best with a grand- final spot at stake.
“Brothers are a good side. Every time you play them you’ve got to play well if you’re going to beat them,” Shiells said. “It’ll be a bounce of the ball or a missed tackle or something like that that could turn the game. We’ve just got to work hard on all our skills.”
Meanwhile, Burdekin and North Ward will face off in an elimination final tomorrow afternoon. North Ward go in as the underdogs after scraping into the finals in the last round with a 24- 12 victory over the Charters Towers Bulls to lock in their top- four spot.
But there has been just a converted try between North Ward and Burdekin in their three clashes this season, with the Canetoads holding a 3- 0 win- loss record. TDRU semi- finals: Today: 5.15pm, Teachers West v Brothers.
Tomorrow: 4pm, Burdekin v North Ward