Surprise Reserve grade effort gives Ipswich club boost

Club stalwart Sam Krueger said it was satisfying advancing directly to the grand final, hopefully followed by the Brothers A-Graders. Brothers go through after late game drama.

Brothers tacklers stop the Rosewood run in the Rugby League Ipswich Reserve Grade qualifying final at the North Ipswich Reserve. Picture: Bruce Clayton

Brothers Reserve Grade coach Sam Krueger had to give up playing when he suffered a knee injury a few years ago.

However, he had plenty to enjoy after watching his team come from 12-10 down at halftime to win 26-18 and secure a direct passage to the grand final.

“I’m a bit lost for words. I didn’t expect it to go down like that,’’ Krueger said.

“We came home very strong. That’s the first time we’ve been like that all year.

“It’s just we worked very hard the last few weeks and I couldn’t be happier.’’

For the second week in a row, a Reserve Grade final was halted due to an injury.

Rosewood Roosters hooker Jerara Semple received ambulance care after copping a knock to his hip and suffering lower back pain.

After a lengthy wait for the ambulance when Goodna captain Riley Stewart was hurt a week earlier, the medics were promptly on the scene during Sunday’s mishap.

However, with only one minute and 49 seconds on the clock and Brothers having an eight-point buffer, the game was called off early.

Krueger said it was satisfying advancing unhindered to the grand final, hopefully followed by the Brothers A-Graders who have a preliminary final against the Jets this weekend.

“At the club, we’re looking pretty good to be honest,’’ he said.

“The C Grade team got up today (36-24 over Redbank Plains), we’re in so we just need A Grade to get there.’’

Former Brothers captain Sam Krueger (right) with Goodna counterpart Ramon Filipine preparing for the 2013 grand final.

Krueger has been with Brothers since he was five. He captained the 2013 A-Grade premiership side before being lured in coaching.

Brothers headed into the qualifying final having finished the regular season in second with seven wins, two draws and three losses.

Rosewood head coach Daniel Hazard was understandably keen for his team’s second chance to make the grand final, after entering the final series in first with nine wins, one draw and a single loss.

“We’ll have another crack at it. We’ll go from there,’’ Hazard said.

He has added motivation to fire up his team for Sunday’s preliminary final against Goodna.

The coach’s sons Codey and Brandon are in the team.

Daniel said Rosewood had kept a similar side together all year keen to bolster country rugby league.

“I’ve brought a few blokes over so hopefully they stick around the club,’’ he said.

Among the familiar faces are well-travelled fullback and goal kicker Daniel West-Pes.

“Most of these boys I’ve coached over the years from Redbank Plains and Goodna,’’ Hazard said.

The Rosewood mentor shared in three premiership successes with Redbank and came close with Goodna.

For Krueger, a direct passage to the grand final was rewarding having kept a majority of his players together, even with the club’s A-Grade side enduring some injury challenges.

“A lot of the blokes work and the rest of it so training has been quite to be honest,’’ he said.

The former A-Grade skipper appreciated having a core of experienced players including his latest captain.

“Ryan Brown was unbelievable today again,’’ the coach said.

“Having him sort of steer the boys around was unreal.’’

Krueger said having a terrific back-up crew including water carrier and former front rower Matty Kuss highlighted the commitment to the club when the injuries set in.

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