Loss puts Gatton’s hopes on the edge
RUGBY LEAGUE: Once again the TRL Premiership saw the top two teams pull out enough to get the victory, with Dalby becoming the third side in three weeks to sit just off Valleys and Wattles at the top.
Andrew O’Brien from At The Footy with Obee and Cookie was on hand with the crew at Cahill Park for Wattles onepoint win over Gatton, and he commended the fine contest on display.
“It was one of the games of the season I thought. It had everything and a come from behind win,” O’Brien said.
“Matt Duggan is just an absolute master. Daniel Jennings was fantastic and he is one of the form players in this year’s competition.
“You have to feel for Gatton. They’ve lost to Valleys by two and Wattles by one, and had an off night against Oakey.
“They’ll look back on their their season at what could have been.”
Ladder leaders Valleys were pushed hard by Oakey, and O’Brien said it was a positive result for the rebuilding Bears.
“I was proud of Oakey on the weekend. I thought they responded to criticism well,” he said.
“To push one of the title favourites was excellent for their morale. There’s a culture shift, and they have a great culture, especially on game day.”
Dalby moved their way into third position with a decisive victory in Warwick, and O’Brien said the Diehards are hitting their straps at the right time of the season.
“The first half was the best half of footy in the whole competition this year,” he said.
“It was fast, physical and a taste of things to come leading up to the finals.
“Dalby have now re-entered the competition, and it’s another part of the puzzle making it more difficult to pick a winner.
“Warwick is a good quality side and I think they’ll bounce back. They show character and have too many good players not to bounce back.”
Highfields bounced back to their best with a rampant win over Pittsworth, and O’Brien said it appears they have gotten over a minor mid-season speed bump.
“If there’s any team that has been effected by injury it’s Highfields,” he said.
“You look back at earlier games against Wattles and Valleys and they were excellent against them.
“They’ve had a tough draw compared to other clubs, so a lull was kind of expected.”
While it mightn’t have had finals ramifications, O’Brien said Sunday’s fixture between Southern Suburbs and Brothers had a special feel.
The two teams battled it out for the Brett Johnson Memorial Trophy, with Pat Johnson coming out of hospital to present the trophy.
At The Footy with Obee and Cookie will broadcast on Power FM this weekend at Cahill Park on Saturday for the Gatton vs Pittsworth fixture and from Kuhls Rd when Highfields host Oakey.