See how the big guns are shaping up for major battles
As officials finalise how to complete this season after the latest lockdown, everyone is looking for a finals series with more electrifying tries, tenacious tackles and youthful commitment.
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IF there’s one word to describe this year’s Rugby League Ipswich A-Grade season it is “frenzied’’.
But it’s not only the latest Covid lockdowns that have created headaches for officials, coaches, players and fans.
After the success of last year’s one-off Volunteers Cup competition involving Toowoomba teams, the hope was this year’s RLI top division would return with the main goal being to play entertaining footy.
That has largely been the case with electrifying tries, tenacious tackling and rise of some exciting youth in the A-Grade ranks.
However, the recent sideline brawl and suspension of the Goodna A-Grade team took some shine off the tremendous progress this year.
As RLI officials finalise how to complete this season after the latest lockdown, everyone is looking for a finals series befitting what has been showcased so far.
Minor premiers Swifts have set the standard, only losing one match to the Jets 42-28 in round seven and a recent 22-22 draw with Brothers.
The Bluebirds are on 21 points with 10 wins.
Swifts head coach Wayne Finch is one of the best in the business, knowing how to get the most out of his players by openly providing feedback on their strengths and weaknesses.
His positive approach to rugby league is always admirable.
Players like Harold Mosby and Jake O’Doherty are standing up each week.
“Right from the start we’ve had a great effort by all the boys,’’ Finch said.
That includes the Swifts Reserve Graders that have come up.
In a team producing some powerhouse performers, Finch rated big prop Paeto Samatua one of his best.
“He was playing Reserve Grade on the wing last year and he’s played front row in A-Grade, and week-in, week-out, he’s one of the best players on the field,’’ Finch said.
Finch has let his players focus on attacking football, assisted by another loyal clubman Shane Verrell.
“He’s been amazing with me,’’ Finch said of Verrell.
The Swifts A-Grade and Reserve Grade sides train together to bolster their competitive unit in both divisions.
The newly-introduced Jets A-Grade side have mainly delivered what was expected of them. That was to bolster the Ipswich competition while providing some valuable back-up depth for the Jets Intrust Super Cup side.
Player/coach Phil Dennis has done a tremendous job having the team in second spot on 15 points from seven wins, a draw and four losses.
The former state league great has been dealing with a hefty injury toll and having to promote players to the Jets ISC side, especially for road trips.
However, Dennis has led the way on the field with some fine play and helping Jets head coach Keiron Lander.
Among Jets A-Graders helping out the club’s top side have been Nic Flocas, Rhys Jacks, Denzel Burns, Shar Walden and Jacob Teevan.
Rosewood product Dom Macumboy has been a shining light given his chance with the Jets.
The Norths Tigers are in third spot, just one point behind the Jets and with a better for and against percentage than Brothers who are also on 14 points.
Having the second best defensive record in the competition has helped the Tigers build some dangerous momentum in recent games.
Senior players like Jacob Stephan and Ethan Page have led the way, along with Presley Lowe.
Stepping up to help the A-Grade side this season, astute development coach Michael Williamson has paid tribute to gritty efforts and also promoted the club’s exciting youth.
That approach is paying off with some outstanding efforts by the coach’s son - halfback Lachlan - and other regulars like Oskar Moore, Kyle Blackman and Tolova’a brothers Shane and August.
At Brothers, wise mentor Jason Connors has done a Phil Dennis by strapping on the boots in the previous game to help his team which is also battling a series of untimely injuries.
The club’s highly respected halfback can never be discounted, especially in finals where the Brothers players often grow an extra leg.
Brothers have scored more points (378) than the Jets (376) and Norths (356) but have to tidy up their defence, having conceded 262 points.
They need to see what Swifts are doing in only letting opposing sides scored 218 points from 12 matches.
But Brothers have plenty of firepower too with Noah Elisaia, Don Vilitama and Michael McDonald among the leading try scorers.
Captain Matty Bell has taken on more responsibility since Brothers lost season starting skipper Josh Leisemann to a knee injury.
Swifts’ 476 points scored highlights their ongoing attacking threat coming from all parts of the field.
Bluebirds full Godfrey Okot and winger Ratunaisa Vatuinaruku are top try scorers with 15 each.
A third Swifts attacking weapon, Nemani Valekapa, has 10 tries to his name.
Jets speedster Sam Langbein was looking to challenge for top try scoring honours (currently on nine) before injury slowed his progress.
Finch knows what awaits if the Ipswich playoffs are allowed to continue.
“I would love to see them last two games played so we can get some match fitness coming into the semi-finals because it’s going to be a very strong semi-finals,’’ Finch said.
Finch said while the Jets were a major threat and Brothers can never be underestimated, he was watching Norths closely having trained them last year when the Bluebirds sat out the season.
“They (Norths) are a bunch of young kids that just have a go every week,’’ Finch said.
“They are a quality side and they’ve got some good players. They are going to be strong in the finals.
“Every team has to be on their toes.’’
Fassifern have been disappointing this season with only three wins. However, the country crew deserve credit for battling on against some heavyweight opponents.
Coach Cam Wallace should be applauded for his efforts trying to keep his team together each week.
Having the Bombers rebound strongly next season would be tremendous for the competition where country footballers are so important.
Goodna were sky-high last year when the Eagles side swept all before them on their way to winning the Volunteers Cup grand final.
However, this year’s unsettled team has failed to reach any great heights, despite patches of excitement from their promising youth who should only get better with more game time.
As for which team will win this year’s grand final, Swifts have to be the clearcut contenders.
However, the fit and fast Jets at full strength will be a handful.
So too will be the hungry, determined Tigers if they can replicate their most committed efforts this year.
As for Brothers, we all know what they are capable of, especially if Wes Conlon controls the play as he has in past A-Grade grand finals.
Bring on the footy finals - we need more brilliant contests to help ease other Covid-related pressures we are tired of hearing about.
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