The A-Grade stars set to shape Townsville’s RLTD finals
Townsville’s rugby league competitions enter finals this weekend and all four A-Grade clubs have high hopes. Find out which players are set to have the biggest impact on finals.
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All three of Souths Bulls’ senior teams will contest Rugby League Townsville and District finals this weekend and the club will be buoyed by the presence of ex-Origin legend Gene Miles.
Souths completed undefeated seasons in A-Grade and under-20s, while topping the reserve grade competition despite losing two of 14 matches.
Bulls senior president Elliott Lovejoy said he wasn’t surprised by the club’s success in just its second year back in the competition.
“This is my first year involved in a behind the scenes capacity and it’s exciting, but probably not surprising, knowing now how hard our guys work behind the scenes,” Lovejoy said.
“Your blokes like your Andy Walters, your Mick Reading and Aaron Snary, and then everyone else on top of that.
“It’s pleasant, but it’s not surprising, given how well they operate together.”
Souths are hoping club old boy Miles’ attendance will inspire the Bulls on the field.
NRL Hall of Famer Miles had a decorated rugby league career that included world cup victories, premierships, State of Origin glory and being named the Dally M Captain of the Year in 1990.
The 65-year-old Souths Bulls junior was a giant of his era at 193cm, rapidly rising through to the senior ranks of Townsville before moving south to join Wynnum-Manly in the Brisbane Rugby League premiership.
Lovejoy said it would make Sunday even more meaningful for the club.
“It’ll be a special day for the club. We’re playing at Brothers (Jack Manski Oval) but regardless, we’re going to have a good number of Souths fans there,” Lovejoy said.
The Bulls will need to get the better of an in-form Western Lions team intent on winning their place in the grand final with a victory on Sunday.
Lions halfback Jacob Bourke said the recent run of good form, including last week’s 64-10 thumping of Norths, gave him confidence they could hand the Bulls their first loss of 2024.
“Souths are a bloody good team, hence being undefeated,” Bourke said.
“We’re expecting a big challenge, but we’re fielding the best side we have all year, and we’ve got full confidence.
“Over the last couple of weeks, even though there was a couple of losses in there, we’ve definitely been improving in that aspect and if we can put it all together Sunday, I think we’re a huge chance, and should get the job done.
“We want to go straight through to the GF by winning this game.”
A-Grade finals begin at 2.30pm on Saturday with an elimination semi-final between Charters Towers and Brothers, before Souths play the Western Lions in a qualifying semi-final on Sunday at 4.15pm.
THE A-GRADE STARS SET TO SHAPE TOWNSVILLE’S RLTD FINALS
SOUTHS BULLS
Bulls president Elliott Lovejoy had high praise for two of the club’s A-Grade stars that play key roles in the spine; fullback Declan Dowson and halfback Shaun Nona.
“Our fullback Declan Dowson is the best club footballer I’ve seen a long time, alongside Sean Nona, and I’m shocked that he’s not in an NRL system to be honest with you, I think he’s a super talent,” Lovejoy said.
“A lot of great kids coming through. I think we’ve had 12 kids from under-20s that have debuted in seniors throughout the year, which is a credit to them but also our coaching staff.”
Dowson leads the competition with 12 tries, narrowly ahead of clubmates Michael Carroll (11) and Jordon Ah-One-Remfrey, while Nona is the clear top pointscorer with 178 points – more than 50 ahead of Herbert River’s Dylan Gaggiano (122).
WESTERN LIONS
This year’s star recruit Addo Waianga may be one of the highest profile players on the team, but halfback Jacob Bourke said it was the unsung heroes who had allowed the Lions to finish second after finishing last in 2023.
“We’ve got a few big names, but I think it’s the names that don’t really get mentioned too much, like your Zach Diplock, even though they don’t necessarily make the massive line break or set up the deadly try or whatever,” Bourke said.
“It’s more winning their tackles – their tackle percentages are higher than most – playing whatever position they’re needed, filling in the gaps, and they’re probably the guys that deserve the most credit.
“However, your big names are big names for a reason. We’ve got a couple of them, but I think it’s more your Zach Diplock, Shaq Congoo, Wade Jonsson and Daniel Buckland – who’s injured – who to deserve a bit more credit.”
Lions skipper Buckland is due back grand final week and will keenly watch the Lions progress to see whether he will get another run this season.
Bourke said Jonsson, who has taken over captaincy in recent weeks, epitomised the club’s values.
“He’s only 21 or so but he’s been playing grade with us for the last couple of years,” Bourke said.
“He’s gotten his chance early and he’s one that has stuck with it and hasn’t once taken a back step.
“He’s one of the first picked each week because he just doesn’t give up. That’s why he’s captain, just from being a great clubman and he does all the little things well.”
CHARTERS TOWERS
One of the biggest inclusions for the Miners’ finals campaign is talented fullback Blake Heitmann who has returned from a hamstring injury that plagued him for a large part of the season.
Since round 6, the only team that has beaten Charters Towers has been undefeated minor premiers Souths.
Charters Towers coach Rob Hall said Heitmann would help his team claim a finals win on Saturday.
“He’s fit and it’s a massive in, considering how we’ve been playing without having Blake Heitmann in our footy team,” Hall said.
“He was last year’s best back, and the under-19s player of the year in 2021. He was fantastic in the minutes he played last week, he’s feeling confident.”
Hall predicted Townsville Blackhawks half Jake Bourke’s inclusion this week would also elevate the miners’ ability to ballplay.
“Jake Bourke has been really god at making himself available. Jake had the ability to rest when we played Brothers last time – the ‘Hawks were on the bye – and Jake immediately said that he was going to come and play for the boys,” Hall revealed.
“He was fantastic that night. We’ll have Jake this week and he’s a valuable inclusion.
“Josh Abbott has also been exceptional for us all year and we’re expecting that to keep happening.
“Josh Radford has been in and out with a hamstring complaint too, so this is probably as close to being our main squad, our best squad, as we’ve been all year.”
“The only team that’s beaten us since round 6 is Souths. We lost three prior to that, but we drew Souths three times this year.
“We’re not overly confident but we have been able to get through and win games without our best squad so mentally I think we just have to turn up on the day.
“It’s an experienced Brothers side but our young boys can step up and finally jag one on a big occasion.
BROTHERS
The Fish narrowly missing finals, scraping into fourth place after Burdekin stunned Herbert River in the final regular game last week.
Electric winger Rayzarlin Pearson has been Brothers’ most prolific tryscorer with eight four-pointers while halfback Ty Carucci was just behind with seven.
Brothers’ entire forward pack could probably be put in the spotlight but veteran prop Sione Lousi and backrowers Chippie Korostchuk and Sean Bourke have both been immense.
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Originally published as The A-Grade stars set to shape Townsville’s RLTD finals
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