The biggest news from round 17 of the Brisbane Rugby League A-Grade competition
A try assist in the form of a ‘falcon’, the minor premiership sealed, a match-winning try to extend a winning streak and an injury to a star on the cusp of finals. The talking points from round 17 of the Brisbane Rugby League A-Grade competition.
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With only one round in the regular season to go, finals positions were up for grabs in a round 17 of the Brisbane Rugby League BRL.
Bulimba Bulldogs 20 defeat Normanby Hounds 12
With an opportunity to seal the minor premiership with a win, Bulimba wasted no time shooting out to an 18-point halftime lead and then held on against a spirited Hounds outfit. With star Bulldogs halfback Brad Russell missing the game through injury, Bulimba’s forward pack needed to stand up and prove why they are one of the best in the competition.
Captain Izaac Skyring continued his red-hot form from his performance for Brisbane Red in their representative round win over Cairns a week earlier.
With their finals hopes dashed, the Hounds could have been excused for allowing things to get away in the second half.
However, they demonstrated the resilience, which has been on display in numerous games this year, to wrestle things back.
Ultimately, the Bulldogs were too strong and despite halfback Hayden Herbert leaving the field with an injury, they put the game away.
The minor premiership is an amazing accomplishment for Bulimba considering that it was only two years ago they were licking their wounds after a wooden spoon in 2020.
Coach Mitch Edwards said the couple of weeks off couldn’t come at a better time to nurse a few injuries and freshen up bodies leading into what shapes to be a strong finals campaign.
Valleys Diehards 44 defeat Souths Juniors Magpies 26
With his side desperate for a win to stay in finals contention, halfback Hayden Rowbotham put on an outstanding performance to help lead the Diehards to victory.
In the tradition of brilliant Valleys halves, Rowbotham showed all the skills in his kit bag, scoring three tries and helping to set up a number of others.
Trailing by 20-points at halftime, Souths may have been scratching their heads going into the break.
However, it would be their heads that would come in handy as a bizarre ‘falcon’ try assist from Elias Tuitula helped them get first points in the second half.
The Magpies clawed their way back to trail by only 4 points behind some brilliant play from Joseph Tomane but with only fourteen available players Valleys capitalised.
With finals all about momentum, Valleys will look to end the winning streak of Brighton next weekend to secure a spot in the finals.
Brighton Roosters 26 defeat Beenleigh Pride 24
Trailing by 4 points with under 10 minutes remaining, it looked as though Brighton’s seven-game winning streak would finally come to an end at the hands of the Pride.
Brock Kehl had other ideas, capping off an impressive performance by helping to set up what would be the match-winning try through Jacek McLaurin.
In what was a physical encounter, the Roosters forwards were instrumental, with Logan Cox and Joseph Clarke getting through a mountain of work defensively.
For Beenleigh, David Quinlin showed his class by setting up two tries from pinpoint kicks to the corner.
Looking ahead, Brighton will be sweating on the fitness of Will Cahill, who picked up an ankle injury in the match, as they take on a desperate Valleys outfit next week.
Beenleigh will need a massive victory over the Hounds and other results to go their way if they are any chance of featuring in the finals this year.
Wynnum Juniors Seagulls 31 defeat West Panthers 12
After two weeks off with a bye and representative round, the Seagulls started hot and never looked back, getting revenge over West Panthers from their loss earlier in the season.
Kelepi Faukafa was at his damaging best, scoring two tries with both skill and through sheer power at one stage carrying three defenders across the line.
Prop Connor Brebner put his name on the scoring column in an all-round dominant effort off the bench for Wynnum.
With the minor premiership now out of reach, Wests will look to bounce back when they take on the bottom of the table Carina in an opportunity to build some confidence leading in to the finals series.
Round 17 Shout Out
The Souths Juniors Magpies under-20’s side wore special jerseys to celebrate club champion Claire Hill, who sadly lost her battle with cancer in 2019.
Despite starting the game with twelve players and at times playing with just nine, they kept the scores close eventually going down 28 to 14. An outstanding effort from this young side to commemorate a very special person.
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