Magpies v Brothers: Mega grand final preview
Hear from both coaches on why they can win, the biggest threats they’re facing, player of the match predictions, and more ahead of the decider.
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The decades-long Magpies-Brothers rivalry is set to reignite on Saturday, with the heavyweights coming to blows in the RLMD A-grade grand final.
Can the Mackay Magpies expel the ghosts of last season’s grand final loss?
Or can Brothers overcome the weight of a 15-year premiership drought in their first grand final appearance since 2010?
It may be first v second from the home and away season, but the 9-5 record of Brothers is greatly overshadowed by the Magpies’ ominous 13-1 campaign.
But Brothers coach Tom Heggie doesn’t consider his side as underdogs.
“We’re confident, we’re in with just as good a chance as what they are,” he said.
“They’ve been really consistent throughout the year and they deserve to sit where they are.
“We’re very enthusiastic and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Magpies key to winning
Despite their superior record, Magpies coach Scott Thorburn believes his side must be opportunistic to clinch victory on Saturday.
“I think it’s really a matter for us to limit our errors and really stay in that arm wrestle,” he said.
“Brothers are very good at grinding away. I think it’s important we get through our sets and if we do get any opportunities we take them when they’re presented.”
Biggest threat to Magpies
Thorburn also understands the quality of his opposition, and won’t be taking them lightly.
“They’re well coached, they’re well drilled, they’re a young side that’s been in junior rep systems, they’re skilful, they’re quick, they’re fit, they just wear the opposition down,” he said.
“We’ve got to be aware that we’ve got to play for 80 minutes and not switch off at all.”
Brothers key to winning
For Heggie, the key to his side’s success lies in applying pressure for long periods.
“You have to be really disciplined, not give them any cheap ball,” he said.
“I think possession’s going to be a real telling factor.”
Biggest threat to Brothers
But Heggie is wary of the Magpies’ bruising forward pack.
Cadence Matene and Lama Tasi in particular pose a significant threat.
“They’ve got a couple of really strong power, middle forwards, they look to blast the ruck,” Heggie said.
“They’ve got a couple of really smart halves with good kicking options.
“They’ve got some classy outside backs as well. They’re pretty strong across the park to be fair but our guys are up for the challenge.”
Magpies form
Last five: W, W, W, W, W.
Magpies lost one match all season, so their form-line is a daunting read.
Most impressively, Thorburn’s side overcame a 0-12 deficit to crush Sarina 44-18 in their last outing – and only outing of the finals.
“Our form has been good, but we’re aware that these guys have played three weeks of finals footy, and they’re match hardened,” Thorburn said.
“We’ve got to make sure that we start strong, we can’t afford to work our way into the game.”
Due to the nature of the finals system, they’ve played just two games in five weeks.
“I’m not concerned by it because we’ve been training hard,” Thorburn said.
“Brothers have obviously got an advantage there by having those three semi-finals under their belt … I’m certainly aware of it.”
Brothers form
Last five: W, W, L, W, W.
Brothers still enter the decider with plenty of wins under their belt, having hit their straps over the past month or so.
Their only blemish was a 24-28 loss to Sarina in the first week of finals.
“I felt that game could’ve gone either way, it was very close,” Heggie said.
“I was really proud of the efforts that day, we were swinging punches right until the end.
“That’s something that we’ve sort of tried to instil in the group, that never give up attitude. We took a lot out of it, it’s all about putting yourselves in a really good position.
“For the last six weeks we’ve been able to hold our nerve under pressure. I think that’s really important that guys can … band together and see it off.
“There were periods in that game where Sarina were throwing a lot at us, and I thought we did a really good job to repel.”
Last time they met
The last Magpies-Brothers clash was in round 12, with Magpies prevailing 28-12.
“I’ve watched it a couple of times. It was a very close game,” Thorburn said.
“We got a few late tries which made the score look like that, but there’s very little between the two sides.
“It’s like any grand final, anything can happen on the day.”
Heggie echoed a similar sentiment.
“It was very close for a long time and they got two late tries right at the end,” he said.
“I thought we weren’t far off the mark there. In that game we were sort of putting a little bit of pressure in the end … but a couple of things went their way.
“We’ll be drawing on that a little bit. We’re good enough to throw punches with them, it’s just about turning up on the day.”
Player of the Match predictions
Lama Tasi and Cadence Matene (Magpies)
“I’m really just putting the onus on our forward pack to get us going forward, that’s the most important thing,” Thorburn said.
“We’ve got some quality finishers, both our wingers can finish a try off, but it’s really going to be our forwards, our big men up front, Lama Tasi and Cadence Matene who are going to be the ones that set that platform for us.”
Dan Kelly (Brothers)
“Dan Kelly’s been really solid for us all year. He’s been playing 80 minutes in the middle of the field and he’s somewhat of a leader,” Heggie said.
Jayden Batchelor and Matt Skaife (Brothers)
“We’ve got a couple of veterans like Jayden Batchelor and Matt Skaife, they’ve been playing A-grade at our club for 10 years now, we can lean on a bit of their experience,” Heggie said.
Harley Proctor (Brothers)
Brothers right centre Proctor could pose a significant threat.
“I think he finished second with the try-scoring tally this year, we’ll be looking to him as well,” Heggie said.
“It’s hard to single anyone out at this stage, it’s been a real good effort from not only the 17 but their extended squad as well.”
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