REVEALED: The keys to Brothers, Magpies MDRL prelim final bout

Brothers coach Tom Heggie and Mackay Magpies coach Hep Cahill have revealed the keys to their upcoming prelim final clash as they battle for the right to take on Sarina.

Jayden Batchelor of Mackay Brothers in action. Picture: Bernadette Vella.

Two of the best teams Mackay rugby league has to offer will go to battle this weekend for the last remaining spot in the grand final, as minor premiers Brothers take on Mackay Magpies.

Both teams have been immensely strong over the course of the Mackay and District Rugby League season, with Brothers finishing up as minor premiers winning the minor premiership with just one loss to their name, while the Magpies finished third.

However, Brothers did not get the start to their finals campaign they would have wanted on the weekend, going down 24-18 to Sarina in an extra-time thriller.

“We thought we played pretty well for most of the game, but for the last 10-12 minutes we fell away for a little bit,” Brothers coach Tom Heggie said.

“We’ll be looking to make those fixes, most of the things we got wrong are fixable from our perspective. These big games are more often than not decided in the final moments.

“We’re confident heading into the weekend and looking forward to competing.”

Augustus Rangihuna in action for Mackay Magpies. Picture: Supplied

On the flipside, the Magpies will be coming in with all the momentum fresh off a dominant 44-8 win over Souths Sharks in the minor semi-final.

“The boys are feeling pretty good about their efforts on the weekend, every game is important now we’re into the elimination stages,” Magpies coach Hep Cahill said.

“To bounce back after a disappointing result against Sarina in the first week and have this performance was huge for us.”

Magpies know better than most what it takes to beat the minor premiers, beating them 34-24 in round 11 of the home and away season.

“They’ve been the in-form team all year, we know we have to be at our absolute best to beat them, and the boys are up for the challenge,” Cahill said.

Hep Cahill. Picture: Mackay Magpies Senior Rugby League Facebook.

“We’ll taking some confidence from that, it gives the boys that assurance that we can do, and some idea of what areas we can attack. But wee know they will have been working at those as well.”

Heggie said his group is aware of the challenge that Magpies present, and has been able to identify the key areas they’ll need to be conscious of.

“Maika (Tudravu) out on that wing there is a real strike weapon for them, he gets their sets started well and when he gets his chance he finishes scoring opportunities nine times out of 10,” he said.

“They’ve got some good halves that steer the ship and a good forward pack that drives them forward. There’s no denying they’re a quality side but we’re confident if we get our own backyard right we can compete and get the job done.”

Cahill said his group will need to emphasise maintaining its own control over the ball as Brothers will look to dominate possession as much as they can.

“If we can have our share of the ball, then that will give us the best opportunity to win,” Cahill said.

“We’ve got some big boys out there who can put the pressure on them. Matthew Vessey as a leader in that pack will be critical for us, especially as the captain of this side. We’ll lean on him where we can to do a job for us.”