Great photos as Brothers, Rosewood, Redbank Plains lead charge for grand final glory
The most riveting moment was fullback Josh McCarroll’s sensational try in extra time that propelled the mighty Brothers club into another A-Grade grand final.
Ipswich
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Extra-time magic, single-minded focus, rising to the occasion.
As showcased through the latest Rugby League Ipswich preliminary finals, much can change when teams become desperate.
Two Redbank Plains sides and country warriors Rosewood hit back in style after being denied earlier shots at making grand finals.
But the most riveting moment was fullback Josh McCarroll’s sensational try in extra time that propelled the mighty Brothers club into another A-Grade grand final.
After the Hancock Brothers hockey men won a top grade extra-time thriller the night before, it was their footballing cousins who provided the Sunday afternoon highlight.
Another Brothers connected team conquered the additional pressure.
Brothers continued their reputation as a finals juggernaut.
The fan support at the North Ipswich Reserve was also noticeably louder watching quality football, including the thrilling Colts battle between the Bears and Bombers.
Rosewood is waving the flag for country clubs, regaining a winning vibe at the right time.
Even the Goodna, Norths and Brothers junior clubs got in on the impressive weekend act.
Here’s some memorable performances, key moments and top player efforts that could inspire a grand final charge this weekend.
A-Grade: Brothers def Jets 40-36 in extra-time
As arguably the best player in this year’s Ipswich A-Grade competition, Brothers fullback and goalkicking ace Josh McCarroll knows when to click up a gear.
After spectacularly diving over in extra time to secure his team victory, McCarroll typified the calmness his team carried into the nailbiting final few minutes of the heavyweight encounter.
“The boys stayed really relaxed,’’ he said.
“We knew the Jets would still come firing at us and we just stay composed.’’
The scores were deadlocked at 36-36 when McCarroll made his match-winning move.
“I told Wesie (playmaker Wes Conlon) there was a lazy defender on the left,’’ McCarroll said.
“Wesie went straight over and a hole opened up.’’
It was the first time McCarroll had scored an extra-time try to seal victory.
McCarroll, 21, said Brothers second half fightback showed how much spirit the team has.
“To come back from 26-12, the boys dug deep, a big effort from them,’’ he said.
“A few boys’ heads were down but (coach Jason) Connors got our heads up and got around the boys and he said ‘we’ll win this game at the back end of it’ and we did that.’’
Conlon again starred with his magic passing and creative play.
As McCarroll shared his thoughts, Conlon walked past and shouted “throw him the ball’’.
Other Brothers try scorers included Loia Fetaoai, Tyran Chapman, Jacob Cordtz and Noah Elisaisa.
But everyone in the Brothers side can stand tall preparing for a massive grand final showdown with Swifts next Sunday.
“The boys know there’s still one to go but we’ll celebrate tonight and come back firing next week,’’ he said.
The Jets were gallant and sporting in defeat after building a 16-0 lead and keeping in the game until the final whistle.
Speed men Josh Johnson and Sam Langbein bagged doubles with player/coach Phil Dennis and clever hooker Regan Wilde also adding vital points.
McCarroll said that was the type of final players enjoy most.
“These ones mean more than a thumping,’’ the star of the day said.
“Full credit goes to Jets. They were short on men and they just coming at us and a lot of those blokes had big minutes.’’
Reserve Grade: Rosewood def Goodna 46-6
The smile on the face of Rosewood coach Daniel Hazard said it all.
The Roosters are crowing again after feeling disappointed about their earlier 26-18 qualifying final loss to Brothers.
The minor premiership-winning Roosters get a second shot at Brothers in the season decider.
“They were a lot more confident this time,’’ Hazard said after Rosewood’s latest commanding effort.
“They are more hungry to win it this year than ever before.’’
Just as importantly, it gives country club Rosewood a presence on grand final day.
“We all come together for a reason and that’s what we are here for,’’ the coach said.
“Hopefully we can finish it off.’’
Rosewood made their intentions clear early building a 30-0 halftime advantage before rolling on to a comfortable win.
Rosewood captain and lock Shane Gibson provided the most telling reason for the impressive counter-attack victory.
“Very good today. The boys showed up,’’ Gibson said.
“Just that loss (to Brothers) I don’t think the boys liked it too much.
“It was a little bit of a hiccup’’.
Gibson gets a shot against his former club Brothers who the Roosters have beaten in earlier games this year.
“Control the ball, control the ruck,win the game,’’ he answered when asked the main less from the qualifying loss to Brothers.
The dressing shed overflowing with support provided another lift for the Roosters.
“It’s a good vibe, good culture,’’ Gibson said.
Colts: Redbank Plains def Fassifern Bombers 30-24
Redbank Plains secured a second team in the grand finals after a see-sawing encounter between the second and third placed teams this season.
In a match that could have gone either way until a late surge by the Bears, coach Tre Waltisbuhl was a far happier man.
“The boys are feeling good,’’ Waltisbuhl said, emerging from a dressing shed with high-powered music.
“It’s a bit of a different feeling to last week (when Redbank Plains lost 48-16 to Norths).
“It was a better defensive performance today.’’
He praised his under-19 squad, being two players short, for digging deep after the lesson they received a week earlier from the rampant Tigers.
“That was pretty embarrassing last week but anything can happen in finals,’’ he said.
The early afternoon duel was one of tightest finals in this year’s playoff series. The teams were deadlocked 12-12 at halftime with both sides grabbing the lead after the break.
“It was a bit heart-stopping, a bit of nailbiting stuff,’’ the coach said. “But glad we got the win in the end.’’
Redbank Plains had finished the regular season in second, with seven wins, one draw and five losses, behind the minor premiership-winning Tigers.
The Bears coach enjoys working with promising players coming from different areas including the Ipswich State High Academy. That features North Queensland Cowboys contracted Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Samson Sauaso from the NRL Schoolboys competition just finished, and Ipswich State High Reserves team captain Khan Towler.
Sauaso captained the Bears when not on schoolboy duty.
“They are great kids. We missed them a bit this season with Ippy High footy but it’s good to have them back - the real leaders of the team,’’ the coach said. “Young blokes, solid heads.’’
Try scoring action from the 2021 Rugby League Ipswich Colts preliminary final between Redbank Plains and Fassifern Bombers. Picture: Bruce Clayton
Waltisbuhl said the turning point on Sunday was hitting back after the Bombers crossed for their fourth try.
“Just the players on the field. Hearing the boys take control,’’ he said.
“They knew what they had to do. They were talking amongst themselves to get us home.’’
Plains goalkicker Malasia Mala scored his team’s fifth four-pointer before Towler sealed the victory with a late penalty goal.
The fans getting noisier as goal kickers landed tough attempts was a sign excitement is building for Sunday’s grand finals.
Some electric tries out wide by both teams kept everyone entertained as the stars of tomorrow showcased their skills.
Waltisbuhl was previously an assistant coach before taking on the Bears Colts role last year when the season was staged.
C-Grade: Redbank Plains def Brisbane Valley 34-6
The minor premiers reached the grand final the hard way after going down 36-24 to Brothers in the qualifying final.
However, the preliminary final gave Redbank Plains a chance to restore some order, setting up another classic showdown with Brothers in the season decider.
The Bears latest effort followed a productive season where they won eight matches, drew one and only lost a single game.
In the preliminary final, Redbank Plains fullback Jy Mullen made some handy contributions with a try and five goals.
Junior Premier League grand finals
Goodna and Norths dominated the younger grade grand finals on Friday night and Saturday at the North Ipswich Reserve.
Under 15: Goodna 50 (Karnye Thompson, Saifiti Junior Saifiti, Cody Gillespie 2 tries, Oliva Smith, Isaac Togia one try each; Saifiti Junior Saifiti 5 conversions, Mitchell Staal 1 conversion) def Norths 12 (Mafiou Cherif, Kane Self 1 try each; Ethan Court 2 conversions). Halftime: Goodna led 34-6.
Player of the match: Goodna‘s Oliva Smith, a dangerous left edge forward who was difficult to contain. He scored a try and defendly stoutly.
Under 17: Norths 40 (Caleb Jackson 2 tries, Gabriel Strick try, Keegan Camplin try, Blade Gourley try, Lachlan Togia try, Larry Siala try; Jasper Strong 2 conversions, Caleb Jackson 2 conversions, Gabriel Satrick 2 conversions) def Redbank Plains 14 (Alecpoe Leota Mene 1 try, Viliami Tongamana 1 try, Dustyn Henry 1 try Khan Towler 1 conversion). Halftime: Norths led RBP 18-4.
Player of the match: Norths player Caleb Jackson was a strong defender and clever pivot, directing traffic with halves partner Lachlan Stuart throughout. Jackson scored two tries and set up two more, including a decisive try for Gabriel Satrick just before half time.
Under 13: Goodna Blue 42 (Jonathon Kasiano 4 tries, Micah Figota 2, Brendon Vaega 2 tries, Tomasi Vaitai 1 try; Tomasi Vaitai 1 conversion, Brendon Vaega 1 conversion) def Goodna Black 0. Halftime: Goodna blue led 22-0.
Player of the match: Goodna Blue fullback Jonathon Kasiano was always a dangerous attacking weapon scoring four tries, organising his defence and defending gallantly on his try line.
Under 14: Brothers 32 (Dennis Papua, Crux Boxsell, Cooper Cracknell, Eddierota Fa’amausili, Kias Schaaf, Jake Wade tries; Cooper Cracknell 4 conversions) def Springfield 24 (Raymond Nagas, Maciah Wharepapa, Josiah Grey, Bradley Tikinau, Jeremiah Vunipola tries; Josiah Grey 2 conversions). Halftime: Brothers led 18-12.
Player of the match: Cooper Cracknell.
Knives removed from all Coles stores nationally after stabbing horror
Coles supermarkets across Australia have withdrawn the sale of kitchen knives after a staff member and mother of two was stabbed in an allegedly random attack west of Brisbane.
Victim identified, gory details revealed as police allege 13yo accused of trying to kill worker took knife from Coles
A 13-year-old boy accused of trying to kill a supermarket worker by stabbing her in the back in a random attack took the knife from the Ipswich store, investigators will allege. It comes as the identity of the worker can be revealed.