Roos the final hurdle between Tigers and GF

LABRADOR is just one win away from an incredible QAFL grand final berth, less than 12 months after missing the wooden spoon by mere percentage.

Under the tutelage of QAFL Coach of the Year Nick Malceski, the Tigers went within four points of booking direct entry to the decider last weekend but for a heartbreaking last-gasp loss to Broadbeach.

The Cats now await the winner of Labrador and Saturday’s preliminary final opponents Maroochydore – a team whose measure the Tigers have had all season but whose post-season form cannot be underestimated.

Maroochydore narrowly scraped through to the finals in sixth and managed just one win against its fellow finalists during the regular season.

But that all changed in September, with knockout wins over Redland-victoria Point and reigning premiers Morningside to make the final three.

Those performances will have Malceski and his men on high alert – particularly after the Tigers escaped with a onepoint win when the two sides last met at Cooke-murphy Oval back in June.

Maroochydore sharpshooterter Mitchell Scholard will be the man most talked about in the Labrador camp, after finishing the season with 58 goals and just one-shy of leading goalkicker honours.

Down the other end, Tigers talisman Bryce Retzlaff loves a big forward battle and will be eager to impose himself on the contest in what could be his last game for the club if the Tigers lose.

Retzlaff was well-held by the Cats after quarter-time last weekend and looms as the Tigers’ matchwinner against Maroochydore.

To the winner will go the spoils of a grand final berth and it all begins Saturday, 2pm.

Bryce Retzlaff.