Swifts, Brothers and Norths unleash grand final sides to watch
The latest qualifying finals in the Rugby League Ipswich competition produced Father’s Day emotion, upsets and an exciting young team to watch.
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After plenty of drama in the Rugby League Ipswich elimination finals, the latest qualifying playoffs provided intriguing highlights and valuable lessons for teams.
Here’s some hot topics to ponder after the top two teams in each grade clashed at the North Ipswich Reserve on Sunday.
Can anyone stop the Swifts A-Grade juggernaut?
After surviving everything the Jets threw at them in the defensive first half battle, the Bluebirds got down to business after the break.
The minor premiers showcased their attacking qualities and ruthless temperament despite a shower that threatened to cause plenty of dropped ball.
Swifts remain favourites for grand final glory having set the standard all season.
The spirit in the Swifts Bluebirds camp never ceases to amaze.
After some fine examples of club camaraderie during earlier tribute and memorial days at the club’s Purga ground, Swifts again embraced the emotion in the latest A-Grade qualifying final.
Knowing Wayne Finch’s dad Bill passed away just days before the final, the club rallied behind one of the most popular and highly regarded men in Ipswich rugby league.
Wayne rode a rollercoaster of feelings during the day - singing with his players in the dressing room after their win while also quietly remembering his dad on Father’s Day.
Swifts fullback Godfrey Okot has rockets in his legs.
After overcoming a mid-season rib injury, Okot was back to his flying best in the latest qualifying final.
Every time he got the ball, he was a massive threat zigzagging through the defence.
He was fittingly rewarded with Swifts’ sixth try as the team clicked up a gear in the second half.
The Jets sideways style of play continues to provide amusement.
While the club’s trademark attacking tactic can put opposing players off their game, it often has the opposite result.
The Swifts defence quickly sized up what the Jets like doing in the A-Grade qualifying final, smothering multiple opportunities to score.
There is a method to the Jets proverbial madness and it looks great when it pays off. But the players have to be admired for sticking with it when the sideways surge breaks down.
Norths are developing a powerful team of the future and a possible dynasty of success.
The Tigers Colts combination that beat Redbank Plains 48-16 is a terrific group of young players.
Most have come up through the club’s junior ranks, preparing for senior football.
Coaches Lee Midgley and Michael Williamson have done a fantastic job in recent seasons grooming the next generation that Ipswich desperately needs in A-Grade.
Playing A-Grade certainly helps teenage footballers.
Tigers Colts regulars like Lachlan and Mitchell Williamson, Sam Madden and Shane Tolova’a have benefited immensely from exposure to the senior ranks.
Coach Lee Midgley summed it up perfectly after the team’s latest 22 point victory.
“It gives that bit more confidence in coming back and helping and supporting the Colts,’’ Midley said.
“That’s the big thing with Lachy this year. When he has come back for us, he supports his teammates and has a bit of fun playing back with the 19s.
“They are his team and it’s good to see him back enjoying a bit of football with the younger blokes.’’
The Redbank Bears still pose a major threat in this weekend’s Colts preliminary final.
They were acknowledged by rival Norths coach Lee Midley as a team with quality and always to be respected.
Down 42-10 in the second half on Sunday, the Bears never gave up.
The Bears even took a sneaky short kick-off that they retrieved. The move would have made the Ipswich Jets Intrust Super Cup team proud, given they employ the tactic at nearly every halftime kick-off.
Driving ahead in two sports
Brothers C-Grade hooker Casey O’Connell is as handy on the football field as he is behind the wheel of a speedway car.
The motorsport ace had impressed in junior competition in recent years, along with his brother Cody.
In the qualifying final, he scored two tries, five goals and a penalty goal as Brothers advanced directly to the grand final by beating Redbank Plains 36-24.
Can the Rosewood Roosters regain their mantle as top Reserve Grade side?
It was terrific seeing another country club represented in the qualifying finals, a week after the Fassifern Colts won their elimination playoff.
The Roosters Reserve graders finished the regular season with two more wins that Sunday’s winners Brothers.
However, Rosewood has another chance to make the grand final, something that would give coach Daniel Hazard and his team something to be proud of.
Brothers C-Grade win over Redbank Plains highlighted how victory is never certain in finals.
Redbank Plains entered the finals series with eight wins, a draw and a loss.
Brothers also had eight wins and a superior for and against record (272 to Redbank’s 142), which proved decisive when it mattered most.
Having an ambulance at the North Ipswich Reserve for finals would be helpful.
For two weeks in a row in Reserve Grade finals, a player was feared hurt seriously enough that an ambulance was called.
In the first round of finals, it took more than an hour for an ambulance to arrive to look after the Goodna footballer.
On Sunday, a Rosewood player needed special care after a hard knock late in the game. Thankfully the ambulance only took minutes to arrive this time.
But it begs the question whether an ambulance needs to be on standby in extra high contact matches like finals.
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