Brisbane Rugby League A-Grade finals wrap
One team fires after the break while another has bounced back from a loss to put themselves one win from a spot in the premiership decider in a drama-filled final stanza. Go inside the Brisbane Rugby League A-Grade finals.
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A team’s season ends in heartbreaking fashion, the minor premiers flex their muscles and last years premiers get back on track.
Elimination Final-West Brisbane Panthers 19 defeat Brighton Roosters 18
While a lot of talk this season had been on the Rooster’s eight game winning streak, the Panthers have kept their season alive by putting two wins together in a row in what was an outstanding contest.
In front of a very vocal crowd at Jim Laurie Oval, it was the Panthers who pounced early with halfback Toby Westcott putting a deft grubber through for James Flack to open the scoring.
Westcott’s second kick would have a very different result as it bounced into the arms of Roosters half Cody Hunter who would speed away 70 metres to score.
With both forward packs bashing each other through the middle, it would be a brilliant play from Eddie Tautali to keep the ball alive and offload to William Toloi, who crashed and spun to score putting the Panthers in the lead.
With the Roosters levelling the scores with under five minutes to go, it looked as though their epic rise in the BRL would continue.
However, a questionable forward pass gifted the Panthers the ball on halfway.
Proving that you should never give a champion side an opportunity, Wests would march the ball forward, before setting up Toby Westcott to nail a game winning field goal as the final siren blew in the background.
Stumbling into the final series with a last round loss, it looked like the Panthers chances of back-to-back premierships was on life support.
However, they have found form at the right part of the season.
They will go into their grand final qualifier full of confidence. For the Roosters, the heartbreaking loss pulls the curtain on what has been a brilliant season with Brighton more than truly leaving their mark on the BRL competition.
Qualifying Final- Bulimba Bulldogs 32 defeat Wynnum Juniors Seagulls 20
After two weeks off, many were questioning whether the break would help or hinder Bulimba’s momentum going into their qualifier against Wynnum.
These questions were answered as the Bulldogs started strong and never looked back to book a spot in the grand final.
Bulimba were on fire from the jump with Brad Russell breaking through the line off the kick off, putting his side in great field position early.
This would lead to the Bulldogs opening their scoring account in just the third minute through some lovely back line play from Saimone Ahomana, putting Jack Stafford over in the corner. With Russell featuring early, halves partner Hayden Herbert then got in on the action throwing a brilliant cut out ball to send Lenny Magney across the line and within 30 minutes of play, Bulimba were out to a 22 point lead.
With the contest slipping away, Wynnum would look to their veteran half Tim Tupou and it was his kicking game that would get his side back in the contest.
The Seagull’s first try was scored from a towering Tupou bomb that was fumbled by the Bulimba fullback leading to a try to representative centre Luke Maddaford.
Sticking with what works, Wynumm would score again through Tupou with a catch on his next kick not even being attempted by Bulimba as Ryan O’Keefe capitalised for the Seagulls getting them back in the game. While they got as close as 10 points, Bulimba would never give up their lead holding on for victory.
For Bulimba, they can now rest up and recharge as they prepare for their first ever Brisbane Rugby League grand final in a fortnight.
Wynnum will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for an elimination game against the resurgent Panthers.
The Seagulls will be ruing another slow start and will look for a big week of training to be ready for an epic showdown next week.
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