Inspired Redbacks bracing for hungry Eagles
MUDGEERABA have a final on-field chance to enhance their 2019 Rugby League Gold Coast promotion claims when they face Currumbin in the Doug Lipp Cup decider.
Despite the Eagles clinching the reserve grade minor premiership, the Redbacks have dominated head-to-head having won both meetings this year including a 38-24 victory two weeks ago.
Currumbin captain Jayde Batchelor admitted his rivals “have had the wood on us” but opposing skipper Kyle Williams is taking nothing for granted.
“We are backing ourselves but you never know in a grand final because everyone is 10 times stronger than what they were during the season and a lot more ruthless,” Williams said. “(A premiership would be) another stepping stone to get where we want to be for next year.
“For the club itself with the A-grade intentions, it would be a huge step, so fingers crossed.”
The Redbacks and Helensvale are leading contenders to join the A-grade competition next year, with factors including facilities, finances and memberships also coming into consideration.
Currumbin’s DLC side have taken as the club’s flagship team after their A-grade was bundled out last weekend.
The Eagles sneaked into the preliminary final 17-16 against Runaway Bay, thanks to a Travis Drought field goal.
Batchelor, who has been at Galleon Way for a decade, hopes to translate the club’s improved results into silverware. “Considering only one team (under-19s) scraped into finals last year and I think that was the first team in four or five years that had been playing finals footy, it’s been a big turnaround,” he said.
The DLC decider will kick off at 1pm tomorrow at Pizzey Park, after the under-19 final between Currumbin and Southport from 11am.