With the Burleigh Bears having a week off on the back of their minor premiership win, the remaining four outfits will go head to head on Sunday from 3pm in their quest for a title.

Here the Gold Coast Bulletin will bring you all the action as it happens: every story, every bit of news and all the coverage needed to keep up to date with the Rugby League Gold Coast’s race to the finish.

KEEP SCROLLING FOR:

— September 15; Meet the teens to decide captivating title battles

— September 14; Breaking down where the A-grade grand final will be won and lost

— September 12: Huge injury blow ahead of star’s grand final return

— September 8; Bears rookie declares ‘talent will be lost’ ahead of do-or-die final

— September 5; Neck injury mars triumph, Origin legend inspires grand final berth

— September 2; Gun bounces back from mystery injury

— September 2; Resurgent halfback to ‘fight fire with fire’

— August 29; ‘Tough’ sacrifice paves way for Tugun triumph

— August 26; Champion comes out of retirement in crucial clash

— August 26; Redbacks cult hero to call time on career

— August 22; Son of a gun inspires minor premiership victory

MEET THE TEENS TO DECIDE CAPTIVATING TITLE BATTLES

— September 15

Any thoughts of pre-game banter have been cruelled by school exams, however that perhaps looms as the perfect calm before the storm for these two young halves.

Palm Beach Currumbin duo Joshua Lynn and Jake Lateo will go from squad mates to rivals come Saturday, when they battle for the Rugby League Gold Coast under-18s title.

It shapes as Lynn’s last game on the Glitter Strip when he dons the number seven jumper for the Nerang Roosters, before he embarks on his biggest career move to link up with the Parramatta Eels.

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The Langer Trophy star’s graduation in the coming months will open the door for Lateo to assume a spot at the scrumbase in the school’s top side next year, having guided the PBC reserve outfit to the premiership this year.

PBC coach Tim Maccan has witnessed Lynn take his game to another level in 2022, undertaking an ideal initiation under Titans contracted gun Tom Weaver last year before assuming the reigns himself.

He said the Queensland schoolboys representative had served his apprenticeship and was ready to test himself against the upper echelon of the game.

“He’s done really well, obviously making the rep team with Queensland schoolboys was a big positive step for him in the right direction in regards to his footy journey,” Maccan said.

“He learnt a fair bit last year being in underneath and training with Tom Weaver and Oskar Bryant at hooker … (and) he wanted to get his hands on the ball more often and take control of the team.

“I’m sure he goes through his own process of what he’s going to do in a game, but he doesn’t show if he’s nervous. He’s concentrating on what his job is going to be and take that into the occasion.”

For Lateo, the young Eagle will carry the extra burden of the captaincy into the contest, despite still only being in Year 11 at school.

Maccan confirmed he would well and truly be in the mix for a Langer Trophy berth next year, having performed admirably as Lynn’s understudy.

“He’s definitely in the mix, he’s got some good qualities in his game and having a good kicking game as well which is what you want in a halfback,” he said.

“Everything he does — his preparation is really good, he’s committed to training and learning to be better and that’s the big key for him.

“He’s been getting better every year though the teams he’s played in, he’s one that hasn’t yet made representative teams or may not have been on someone’s list of people to look out for, but he’s one of those slow burners.

“He’s coming up, he’s learning everything right and doing everything right to give himself an opportunity at the end of the journey of Year 12 to hopefully get a start somewhere.”

UNDER-18S: NERANG ROOSTERS VS CURRUMBIN EAGLES

Key Players: Jeremaiah Tamepo (Nerang) and Jett Jackson (Currumbin)

While in the Gold Coast’s A-grade competition there is a heated battle for the top try scorers mantle, there is a country mile between Jeremaiah Tamepo and the next best.

The Nerang flyer has mustered a whopping 20 four-points this season, running in a hat-trick when his side last faced their forthcoming grand final rivals.

He backed it up within another effort in the Roosters preliminary final win over Helensvale to book a rematch with Currumbin.

However if Tamepo’s, a star of Keebra Park’s Langer Trophy team, high flying exploits are to be on show, he will need his forward pack to lay a platform, a task easier said than done given who lines up on the other side.

Coming off the bench for the Hornets will be Isaak Cullen, who recently secured a future with the Melbourne Storm, but the initial grunt work will be done by Jett Jackson.

The Palm Beach Currumbin bookend was last week named in the Queensland Under-17s City side to take on Queensland Country, having already played off the bench earlier this year for Tweed Seagulls in the Mal Meninga Cup.

While it has been a long season for the teenage phenom, going through representative campaigns, the schoolboys football season and local competition, Jackson has proven to be up to the task, seemingly willing to wait for the year’s end to rest his body.

“I think the key to him is his fitness, he’s fairly fit for a front rower. He probably gives away a bit of size in regards to weight more than anything, but his fitness is the key there for how he keeps playing on,” Maccan said.

“He’s really good at just getting to his target and quick play the ball, getting to the ground as wuick as he can.”

If Currumbin are to nullify the Nerang outside backs, it will start in the middle of the field, and that is where Jackson will need to set the standard from the opening whistle.

Key Battle: Dorian Lotaki (Nerang) vs William Saunders (Currumbin)

His cousin has announced himself as one of the toughest young players in the NRL, and now William Saunders is out to perform in the same manner.

The Currumbin hooker shares similar qualities to that of Cowboys star Tom Dearden, having watched him play from backyard footy to school success and onto the glory of State of Origin.

On Saturday when North Queensland took on the Cronulla Sharks, Dearden covered more than 11km throughout the 93 minutes of action, an NRL record since such data started being recorded.

In doing so, he scored a brilliant individual try out of dummy half, and PBC coach Maccan said Saunders possessed much the same instincts and attributes.

“Will Saunders will be primed to be a key in this game, his running game is really good and his ability to get out of dummy-half and find some space to take off (is brilliant),” he said.

“His cousin is actually Tom Dearden, so the way he took out of dummy half and scored that try resembles a lot of what Will does.”

However to emerge from Saturday’s decider victorious, Saunders will have a major rival in the opposite number nine jersey to contend with.

Dorian Lotaki has been a crucial cog in the Roosters charge to the minor premiership, backing up from his time with the Burleigh Bears in the Mal Meninga Cup.

In his first appearance in the state under-18s competition, Lotaki came off the bench in Round 2 against Souths Logan, showing off his own running game to score a double in a losing cause.

From there he would only miss one more game, scoring again in the Bears win over Wynnum Manly and even filling in at centre against Redcliffe in Round 6.

Lokai’s prowess out of the ruck was on show again when he last faced Currumbin to score a try — his ninth for the season to sit fifth in the competition — and while on that occasion it was in vain he will no doubt be determined to rectify that result.

UNDER 20S: HELENSVALE HORNETS VS BURLEIGH BEARS

Key Players: Jay Blazek (Helensvale) and Jesse Sommerville (Burleigh)

Jay Blazek will lead the Hornets into the decider a very different young man to the one who did the same job in last year’s under-18s grand final.

The passionate lock began the season in the A-grade side, and even in a unit often well beaten he found a way to shine.

Blazek charged into men far bigger, older and more experienced than he, but even when the scoreboard told him to save his breath he refused to do so.

Time after time he would give chase to breakaway outside backs, dive head first into multiple hit ups a set and be the first man to make contact with a rival in defence.

Now back in the under-20s outfit, Blazek will be front and centre of the action and out to inspire his troops to victory.

However should he and his fellow Helensvale forwards be unable to win the middle battle, that will open the door for a Bears strike weapon to launch.

Burleigh winger Jesse Sommerville is one score away from finishing the year atop of the point scorers tally, tied on 98 with Currumbin halfback Saxon Henderson.

With 10 tries to his credit, the goal kicking duties have propped him up the ranks even further.

If Sommerville’s forwards lay the platform, he will be there ready and waiting to finish the job.

Key Battle: Tremaine Harry (Helensvale) vs Zac Munn (Burleigh)

Two centres with a knack for finding the try line are bracing for one final collision.

Burleigh gun Zac Munn is one strong game away from overtaking Currumbin flyer Brodie Desmond for the top gong, sitting on 12 tries to the latter’s 13.

It took until the 95th minute for the Bears to advance straight through to the grand final, where Munn’s long wait in golden point to cross against Currumbin giving his side the week off.

That same innate ability to ice a contest regardless of what the clock said could prove invaluable on the big stage, but he will have a worthy adversary to overcome first.

Tremaine Harry has helped himself to 10 tries this season, third on the table of scorers.

His former coach, Ian Frame, has described him as one of the fastest players he had ever coached, and there will be no finer stage to showcase that ability.

You can coach a lot of things in rugby league, but you cannot coach sheer pace and that x-factor could be Harry’s key to busting the contest wide open.

SOUTHPORT VS BURLEIGH A-GRADE GRAND FINAL

— September 14

WHERE MEN’S DECIDER WILL BE WON AND LOST

Key Players: Eni Folau (Southport) and Kurtis Rowe (Burleigh)

Southport coach Stephen Dowd just last week praised Eni Folau as the Gold Coast’s premier forward. Now he has to prove it on the big stage.

Folau, the younger brother of former NRL superstar Israel, has been dynamic in the middle of the field for the Tigers, registering many a tackle bust with each outing.

Previously a member of the Parramatta Eels pathways, the lock has proven to be a force close to the line as well, scoring seven tries for the season — the same as his other brother and Southport outside back John.

Up against a Burleigh forward pack who has been battered this season, and could well face last minute changes with their Queensland Cup side plotting a grand final berth of their own, Folau looms as the x-factor middle man capable of not just making a dent but busting a huge hole through the engine room.

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However a returning Bear could yet prove the difference for the defending champions.

Kurtis Rowe makes his comeback from suspension at the perfect time, and the former Wests Tiger will be every bit as important off the ball as he will be on it.

A dynamic fullback with the Steeden in hand, Burleigh coach Matt Foster said this week it would be the Bears legend’s communication out the back in defence that could well decide their fate.

The veteran mentor said rugby league pundits saw the best of Rowe in big games, and they do not come much bigger than this.

Key Battle: Malachi Morgan (Southport) vs Dante Lusio (Burleigh)

It remains to be seen whether Dante Lusio will back up his preliminary final heroics, with injury concerns in the Bears Queensland Cup side launching him into calculations for a promotion.

However should he take the field, it sets up a thrilling decisive fixture: who will take out the competition’s leading try scorer mantle?

Both Lusio and Tigers gun Malachi Morgan are tied at the top with 14 tries a piece, combining an instinct to be in the right place at the right time with plenty of class in finding the line.

Southport will have extra high flying strike power in former NRL Mr Fix It Michael Oldfield, who is third with 12 four-pointers, while Burleigh’s Conor Carey has touched down on eight occasions despite being in and out of the side through injuries and Queensland Cup call ups.

But if these sides forward packs managed to nullify each other it will come down to which teams outside backs rise above, and they do not rise much higher than these two flyers.

Southport Key Season Moments: Major Semi Final vs Burleigh and Round 3 vs Tugun

Given the calibre of players in their squad — the likes of which include past NRL athletes Sione Katoa, John Folau, Oldfield and State of Origin veteran Greg Bird — there were plenty of expectations heaped onto Southport before a ball had been kicked.

So when they lost their opening clashes against the Bears and the Redbacks, alarm bells would have been ringing.

However in the aftermath of it all, Tigers halfback Zane Harris said it took an honesty session among the group to realise they could possess all the individual talent in the world and it would not make a difference if they did not come together.

That inspired their first win of the campaign, a 20-6 triumph over last year’s runners up Tugun.

At the start we didn’t gel as a team. I think a few of the boys came from everywhere changing from different clubs and there were a few egos,” Harris said after his side’s Round 5 34-0 shutout of Currumbin.

“Everyone was on different pages, but after that game against Mudgeeraba (in round two) we came together and had a meeting and just said ‘egos aside, let’s put the team first and win this comp’.”

Now at the business end of the season, with bodies well bruised from a gruelling year, Southport’s major semi-final win over their forthcoming rivals could be the biggest win of them all.

In the powerhouse outfits three regular season clashes, the biggest margin was four points, but the Tigers found an extra gear two weeks ago to march out 34-14 victors.

It earnt them a week off and some respite to rest their weary frames, while the Bears were forced to battle the Seahawks in another brutal encounter.

That extra rest while Burleigh fight to overcome a six day turnaround could prove pivotal at the back end of the decider.

Burleigh Key Season Moments: Round 10 vs Mudgeeraba and Round 15 vs Southport

Given the strength of their outfit and status as the 2021 premiers, a form slump would not have been expected of the Bears.

And yet come the midpoint of the season they found themselves needing to dig out of a hole.

In Round 6 they were given a scare by the Currumbin Eagles, only narrowly taking the chocolates 30-28.

After Round 7 was postponed due to weather — a contest they lost to Runaway Bay 26-20 — Burleigh then went down to the Tigers 10-8, before Tugun accounted for them 31-12 the following week.

Foster’s men needed a win, and against a Mudgeeraba unit who had proven to be a far tougher challenge when they were up against the best it was never going to come easy.

However by the skin of their teeth, with Reece McKenzie-O’Brien’s higher efficiency off the kicking tee proving the difference, they came away 26-24 winners and won their next eight games to close out the regular fixtures as a result.

While the Bears will be disappointed with how they fared against the Tigers a fortnight ago, their Round 15 triumph over the same opponents should give them plenty of belief.

The 32-28 win came despite a plethora of injuries coming their way both prior to kick off and during the game.

Foster was full of praise for his side after that game, given they were missing 12 players heading into the match and lost four more during the 80 minutes.

Debutants Aston Bai and Luke Pereira De Vlieg stood tall, scoring three tries between them — with the latter’s double coming in quick time to get them within two points after Southport blew out to a 12 point lead with 15 minutes remaining.

Big Ins out Outs:

When Burleigh hooker Jordan Scott went down with an injured shoulder in last week’s preliminary final, and interchange rake Josiah Afu was placed on report, Foster would have been forgiven for feeling the heat immediately after celebrating a win.

However with Afu cleared to line up in the grand final, the Bears will have a more than capable replacement for Scott should the talismanic skipper not take the field.

Scott has not been officially ruled out yet, with the Burleigh leader determined to take the field and go head to head with his brother and Southport rake Blake Scott.

While he would be a hard man to replace should it come to that — both for his ability and leadership — Afu has proven to be one of the feel good stories of 2022; emerging from reserve grade to impress in A-grade enough to garner a Queensland Cup debut.

If Scott is ruled out, Rowe is set to make his comeback from suspension with the captaincy tag next to his name and a state league trophy already in his cabinet.

For Southport, at this stage they appear to be heading in at full strength, with the depth of their squad ensuring the likes of cult hero Brock Hamill and early season start Billy Mozer have been plying their trade in reserve grade throughout the finals.

Any niggles their men may have had will be well rested having had two weeks to prepare and recover.

WEEK THREE WRAP: HUGE INJURY BLOW MARS THRILLING TRIUMPH

— September 12

Though relieved to have witnessed his team charge to yet another grand final appearance, Burleigh coach Matt Foster could be left counting the cost of a brutal penultimate clash. However the return of his star fullback may be just the injection needed to overcome a formidable Southport unit come Saturday.

In the aftermath of the Bears 18-16 triumph over Tugun in the Rugby League Gold Coast preliminary final, the veteran mentor revealed captain Jordan Scott will be unlikely to take the field on Saturday.

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The star hooker left the field with a shoulder injury, with Foster unsure of the exact nature — however there are fears he may have dislocated his AC joint.

Meanwhile two-try hero Dante Lasio could find himself called up into the club’s Queensland Cup outfit following an injury to winger Tony Francis.

Scott’s absence in particular would prove a devastating blow to Burleigh’s hopes of taking down a powerhouse Tigers unit, particularly given he had only just made his comeback from a broken thumb on the eve of finals.

But Foster is hopeful the return from suspension for fullback Kurtis Rowe will help offset the loss, and the former Wests Tigers and Burleigh legend is set to assume the captaincy duties.

“He (Scott) was devastated, and as was everyone, but we’ll get some checks on it and see where it stands and go from there,” Foster said.

“As captain he’ a genuine leader and the boys will follow him, he leads by example … but if we want to be successful we have to be strong enough in our heads to play without him.

“I’m thinking if Jordan is out it will be Kurtis Rowe (to captain). The best of Kurtis Rowe you see in big games, you want him out there being a leader from the back.

“His talk and communication in defence is really good, but he adds that spark and teams worry about him on the edge because of what he can do. He’s certainly a big in.”

Foster’s men were forced to overcome a fast start from the Seahawks, who marched to a 12-0 lead within the opening 15 minutes courtesy of Sam Meskell and James Torrens tries.

However Lasio’s double either side of halftime got the defending champions right back into the mix, and even after gun Tugun centre Tim Cassidy gave his side the lead there were further twists to come.

Burleigh winger Michael Walit crossed in the 71st minute, before interchange outside back Luke Pereira De Vlieg continued his habit of late-game scoring by clinching the match winner.

Foster will be anxiously awaiting for the judiciary outcomes of hooker Josiah Afu — who would likely be Scott’s replacement in the number nine jumper — and edge forward Sean Garner who were placed on report.

Should the injury to Francis also open the door for Lusio to add to his pair of QCup appearances this year, another change will be forced.

While Foster knows he may need all the strike power possible to thwart Southport, he said Lusio’s promotion as the campaign had worn on was just reward for his perseverance.

“He’s just somebody who values effort and energy, his carries on the edge are super strong and he’s really strong mentally. Nothing fazes him, which is one of his biggest attributes that’s helped him flourish,” Foster said.

“He’s been strong all year, but the back end of the year he’s blossomed and taken every opportunity given to him.

“With what’s happened over the course of the year and the depth of the names that Southport have got absolutely they’re the favourites.

“But I don’t care for reputations, I care for performances on the day, and if we’re good enough we’ll get our rewards.”

WEEK THREE PREVIEWS:

BEARS ROOKIE DECLARES ‘TALENT WILL BE LOST’ AHEAD OF DO OR DIE TIME

September 8

As debate continues over the longevity of the Queensland Cup, Burleigh rookie Jayden Sharp has leant his voice and declared that without the concept a plethora of young talent could be lost to rugby league.

With the NRL reportedly considering regenerating the reserve grade competition, the Queensland Rugby League has fought back against such proposals out of fear the state competition will be torn apart.

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Since then, further suggestions have included Sunshine State’s first-grade clubs fielding teams to rival outfits such as the Bears — a notion met by further concerns that the NRL affiliations with those second tier set ups would be tarnished.

In an era for the code where teenagers are plucked fresh out of high school and thrown among the upper echelon of athletes, injuries and limited contract spots already pose challenges for youngsters to make an impression.

Sharp was one of them, having endured a horrid injury run throughout his formative adult years — a broken leg, torn ACL and busted Lisfranc sidelining him for the best part of two years.

However the young forward has managed to defy his own 2022 expectations, debuting for Burleigh’s top side and going on to feature a further three times as he awaits to see whether he will take the field in the semi-final clash with the Capras on Saturday.

While Sharp said his primary focus was on cementing himself among the Bears elite, any hope he has of fulfilling the NRL dream will rest on his performances in the Queensland Cup.

He said the likes of Canberra Raiders halfback Jamal Fogarty, and current Burleigh fullback Taine Tuaupiki, had proved there was an obvious need for the state league to remain in tact.

“I love the idea of the QCup. It’s all well and good to say we can get rid of it and have a reserve grade, but you look at Taine killing it in local A-grade and then QCup,” Sharp said.

“He will probably go down as the best player this year, to now to get a deal with the Warriors. If that whole system was gone this wouldn’t ever happen for him, he’d still be doing his apprenticeship.

“You will lose a lot of young talent that never got their chance for that kind of stuff and have been injured, which would be disappointing to see but I guess at the end of the day it’s the higher ups calling the shots.

“It’s a tough one, you can see the positives and negatives both ways. The positives are they come into full time training and it’s a full time job for them, but you lose a lot of young talent.”

Should Sharp miss out on final team selection, with a collection of Gold Coast Titans players in line to take the field, he is expected to return to the A-grade side for their preliminary final battle against Tugun.

But wherever he plays, the damaging prop is simply grateful to pick up the Steeden once again.

Throughout his two year stint in the casualty ward, there were months where he was unable to even work as a plumber, with the extent of injuries and need for rehab taking over.

Now, even if he does not play a further role in the Queensland Cup finals, he can reflect on a transformative campaign in his career; one in which he was averaged 70 running metres and more than 15 tackles a game off the bears’ bench.

“I was living off a couple of hundred a week, I wasn’t getting too much more than that. But by the end of it I lost a fair bit of coin in all the rehab and stuff I had to buy and do and the physio appointments,” Sharp said.

“For my first injury, after the surgery they said this is normally career ending. That was a shock to hear at first, and then I thought it’s only a broken leg and ACL, you don’t normally hear of them together so I thought I’d come back.

“I wouldn’t say it was a blessing, but I put on a lot of strength in that two year period and I got a lot bigger. I grew up a little bit.

“Now I really am just focused on playing a full year of QCUp and then see what happens from there. I’m only taking little steps at a time, just trying to play.”

Should he line up against the Seahawks in the local competition, he will do so against a blue army intent on continuing their strong run in the finals.

Spearheaded by halfback Michael Burgess, Tugun have turned in strong wins over Mudgeeraba and Runaway Bay to book their place in the preliminary final, with a spot in the decider against Southport now on the line.

Burgess has been a calm head pulling the strings for the Seahawks all season, however in the finals campaign has lifted another gear — scoring three tries and setting up plenty of others.

Coach Clint Barends said ever since his number seven joined the club he had been a crucial influence at the scrumbase, and that impact would rise even further against the defending champions.

“He’s only been here three years, he’s been down at Seagulls and he’s a Currumbin junior but his old man played here so he came over about three years ago,” he said.

“We lost him the first year so he’s in his second full year this year.

“He’s an important part of the team, halfbacks usually are, but he tends to come up with the right decision most of the time and no one does it every time. He’s very important for us.”

Burleigh and Tugun will kick off from 3pm on Sunday at Pizzey Park.

WEEK TWO WRAP: NECK INJURY MARS TUGUN WIN, STATE OF ORIGIN LEGEND INSPIRES TIGERS TO THE BIG DANCE

September 5

Tugun coach Clint Barends could be counting the cost of a highly physical affair on Sunday, with a key man ending the triumph over Runaway Bay in a neck brace.

Interchange dummy-half William Johnstone was taken from the field via ambulance after being caught in an awkward position during a tackle.

While still able to walk gingerly, he was taken to hospital to assess the damage and determine whether he will be able to feature again in the Rugby League Gold Coast finals series.

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As of Monday morning, Barends said Johnstone’s CT scans had showed no signs of an obvious fracture, however he spent the night in hospital and was expected to undergo an MRI assessment.

“It was just precautionary at the moment. He managed to get off the field obviously and we just thought we’d better get him checked out,’ Barends said post-game.

“I thought it was just an awkward one where the bloke came in a bit high on him, I’m not too sure I’ll have a look at the video.

“He’s a big body their front rower so he’d have a fair weight coming down on him. He’s only a little bloke William.

“There were a few injuries and different things out of the game. It was a really physical game, they really brought it to us and then we were lucky enough to get away with a win.”

Despite the concern to Johnstone, the Seahawks were able to cast aside the concerning setback to emerge 30-18 victors over a resilient Seagulls outfit that refused to go away.

While the likes of Tugun halfback Michael Burgess shone with two tries, and hooker-turned-lock Jack Cook continued to make an impression in the blue jersey, a hat-trick to Runaway Bay winger Walker Smith kept the Bycroft Oval faithful on their feet.

However the Tugun forwards were able to rise to the occasion, and with that the hooking trio of Cook, Sam Meskell and Johnstone prior to his injury were able to dominant the ruck.

The win also marked the comeback of Seahawks fullback Zac Beecher, who rebounded from several weeks on the sidelines due to a rib injury sustained in the penultimate round against Mudgeeraba.

While tentative at stages early in the piece, Barends said his breakout number one found his feet well and would be better for the run ahead of his side’s preliminary final clash.

“He’s all good, I thought he was pretty good. He trained well during the week and came up with an error looking a bit shaky early on, but he hasn’t played for three weeks,” he said.

“I thought he settled and saved us a few times. We gave him a fitness test and he was 100 per cent ready to go, I’m sure they’re still a little bit sore as they usually are but he ran well, tackled well and did his weights so he’s sweet to go.”

Tugun’s win sets about one last 2021 grand final rematch against the Burleigh Bears, who suffered a 34-14 defeat at the hands of a grand final bound Southport.

With Tigers star and former State of Origin hero Greg Bird scoring a double, the yellow and black army remained on the front footy throughout the contest, as the likes of halfback Zane Harris were able to control the tempo behind a feared forward pack.

According to the former Manly and Sydney under-20s number seven, playing behind the likes of Bird, Cook Islands international Andre Iro and Norths Devils Queensland Cup winner Piki Te Ora Rogers had been the catalyst for he and his outside backs to run rampant throughout the season.

“It definitely helps when you’ve got Greg, Andre and Piki and they lay the platform so well,” Harris said.

“It makes it so much easier to play off, you’re always on the front foot and it’s a quick play the ball that we can work off.

“Every time we’ve played them it’s been a very close gritty game. Both teams have quality players and have a really good reputation I guess on and off the field. Both teams enjoy it and get on with each other, but over the stipe it’s (a battle).”

WEEK TWO PREVIEWS:

— September 2

RUNAWAY BAY VS TUGUN WEEK TWO: GUN BOUNCES BACK FROM MYSTERY INJURY

With their season well and truly on the line, the Runaway Bay forward pack will be out to avenge their past defeats at Tugun’s hands.

That is where the likes of Doryaan Hape Apiata will need to come to the fore.

The resurgent Seagull has undergone a breakout campaign, making his Queensland Cup debut for the Burleigh Bears on the back of a tireless 18 months worth of self-improvement.

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Earlier in the Rugby League Gold Coast season, Runaway Bay coach Nick Gleeson revealed the 23-year-old prop had completely transformed the way he approached his game since the death of his cousin, Javarn Nofoagatotoa, in 2019.

He dropped 15kg, began training five days a week, and has since capitalised on the obvious talent he brought to the navy and red jersey with three Bears appearances.

In those clashes, Hape Apiata started once and played off the interchange twice — averaging 74 running metres and almost 16 tackles a game while missing just two.

However upon his return to the Seagulls pack alongside former New Zealand Warrior Sione Palavi, Gleeson said his key big man struggled to readapt to the speed of the game.

But he said in recent weeks he had found his mojo once again — even scoring a try in their semi-final defeat to Southport — and against a Seahawks pack headlined by the ever-consistent Matthew Koellner he would need to bring his best.

“I actually thought he struggled a little bit (when he came back to the club), and I find a lot of Cup players do when they come back with how slow the game is compared to the Cup,” Gleeson said.

“They come down and struggle for a little while, but the last (few) weeks he’s been really strong. Dors hasn’t played Tugun this year, nor as (Sione) Palavi so some of these forwards haven’t had a chance to get into them.

“Having Dors and Sione for us, they’ve been our best forwards all year. It just means they have to take extra responsibility knowing they have to lead from the front and they have for the best part of four weeks.”

Gleeson has been forced to go back to the drawing board once again in a bid to fill a strong team, with omissions coming out of their defeat to the Tigers last week.

Winger-turned-fullback Queille Murray has been suspended, while wingers Jack Ward and Caleb Tane are expected to miss the clash against Tugun on Sunday.

Experienced campaigner Steve Rooney will be called up into the number one jumper, a position where the Seahawks will also be missing their first choice man with Zac Beecher not named to return from a rib injury.

Seagulls key forward Reece Summer will also be ruled out, having earned a call up to Tweed’s elimination final battle in the Queensland Cup.

However Gleeson revealed his side’s plight could have been a lot worse, after a mysterious hand injury to halfback Aaron Booth.

Booth copped an awkward hit against Southport that Gleeson said made his hand look so big it appeared as though “two hands were on top of each other”.

He said his number seven’s presence will be crucial against a Tugun outfit he still regards as the region’s team to beat.

“I can’t remember exact injury but he went to the hospital to get it drained. He copped a knock and it all swelled up, it was massive like a ball on his hand,’ Gleeson said of Booth. “He went to get it all cut and drained the fluid out; he was pretty beat up but he’s still playing. We’re talking two hands on top of each other big, and it wasn’t until he got to the hospital that he drained it all he could move it again.

“It’s funny I was asked at the start of the year who would win the comp and I thought Tugun.

“There’s a handful of players there who are school teachers involved in rugby league programs so when it comes to football knowledge, yes they may not be the fastest or biggest, but they know how to get the team around well.”

The two sides will kick off from 3pn at Bycroft Oval.

SOUTHPORT VS BURLEIGH WEEK TWO: STAR HALF TO ‘FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE’

With the goal of earning a Queensland Cup debut next year firmly on his mind, there could perhaps be no finer way for Zane Harris to showcase his credentials than this weekend.

The Southport halfback will face off against a Burleigh Bears outfit fresh off claiming the Rugby League Gold Coast minor premiership, and with that a week off while the remaining finals sides battled it out.

Harris has played through his first season back on the Glitter Strip after stints in NRL systems at the Manly Sea Eagles and Sydney Roosters, guiding the Tigers around the park behind a forward pack brimming with star power.

Donning the yellow and black jersey with the likes of former State of Origin sensation Greg Bird and 2021 Norths Devils premiership winner Pe Te Ora Rogers has been a revelation according to Harris, and helped him find the type of form that garnered Gold Coast Vikings selection.

However while he said a return to a first-grade pathway was still very much on his radar, ultimately he was not looking too far ahead and was instead honing in on securing a grand final berth.

“This is my first season back home. I’ve played a few good games here and there, obviously I’ve had my fair share of average ones too, but bouncing between the centres and halves has been a good experience,” Harris said.

“It’s definitely something I’m not opposed to for sure, but I’m taking it one day at a time at moment. After some tough years with Covid it’s been hard to get into personally, and being home with the family is pretty comfortable and nice.

“It’s just taking it as it comes and next year hopefully I can play a bit of Cup. I’m not opposed to going anywhere, I’d be pretty happy wherever.”

Having come out of the block firing in last week’s 36-20 triumph over Runaway Bay, Southport will now face off against the Bears for a week off and a spot in the big dance.

Given how the two units have traded blows all year in gruelling affairs, a test of attrition is expected, and the Tigers will have the ideal man to make the most of any chance they get.

Malachi Morgan has surged to the top of the competition’s try scoring tally, crossing 14 times in 16 appearances.

While he has played much of the season on the wing, Harris confirmed Morgan would line up in the centres next to him as they plotted to beat the Bears at their own game.

“He’s a handy play old Malachi, he seems to get in and do the tough work out of our own end it and pays dividends down the other end when he finds himself over the white line,” Harris said.

“It’s good to have him outside me because he’s so strong defensively and great in attack.

“I think we’re going to fight fire with fire this weekend, hopefully we can give them a good crack in the middle and create a bit of space out wide to have some fun.”

WEEK ONE WRAP: ‘TOUGH’ SACRIFICE PAVES WAY FOR SEAHAWKS TO SOAR

— August 29

It took a “tough” decision, one made for the first time in Tugun’s history, to give the Seahawks every chance of advancing deeper into the Rugby League Gold Coast finals.

As an injury crisis hit coach Clint Barends men in the closing stages of the regular season, the reserve grade side was forced to forfeit their final pre-finals contest after 12 players were felled with two rounds remaining.

However that sacrifice proved to be the window the A-grade side needed to rest some weary bodies and line up close to full strength for their elimination semi-final against the Redbacks, emerging from Sunday’s clash with a gritty 24-12 victory.

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Barends said there were several men who donned the blue jersey who perhaps needed an extra week of rest, including prop Matthew Koellner who turned in a barnstorming display while slightly re-aggravating an ankle concern.

He said while parts of their attack would need finetuning before taking on Runaway Bay this weekend, the pride in defence shown had inspired hope of a title tilt on the back of the unfortunate surrender.

“Last week was the first time we had to forfeit the reserve grade, I don’t think it’s ever been done in the club’s history,’ Barends said.

“It was a pretty tough decision, but we were scratching. We had like 21 blokes available, the game before we played Mudgee we lost six in reserve grade and six in first grade.

“It’s tough, they’re pretty passionate people. They’re all Tugun Seahawks fans, you walk into the club and they say ‘what we’re forfeiting reserve grade? We’ve never had a forfeit in reserve grade’.

“We don’t like it, but we just had no choice and there’s a few clubs like that. The week off for a few, some of them wouldn’t have been able to play and some of them probably shouldn’t have played but they all got through unscathed.”

Sunday’s clash was one which has become typical when Tugun and Mudgeeraba face; with each hit up and tackle bringing with it extra ferocity.

It took a moment of magic from Seahawks halfback Michael Burgess to cement the triumph, capitalising on a messy ruck at the play-the-ball to slice through and score.

With the Redbacks eliminated, Tugun will now go head-to-head with Runaway Bay, after Southport stormed home to a 36-20 win.

Tigers outside backs Michael Oldfield and Malachi Morgan both crossed for doubles, as they booked themselves the chance to take on Burleigh for a spot in the grand final.

Ahead of his side’s do-or-die contest against the Seagulls, Barends remained hopeful star fullback Zac Beecher would be fit and firing to return from a rib injury sustained when they last took on the Redbacks.

While the Seahawks own ‘Mr Fix it’ Jawaan Terekia impressed in the number one jumper, scoring the opening try of the match, Beecher has announced himself as one of the Gold Coast’s breakout players in 2022, earning the Vikings custodian job in the process.

However despite his importance to their premiership cause, Barends said he would not be rushing him back into the mix.

“We’re hoping to maybe get him next week, but he’s got a rib injury at the moment. It’s healing, but we won’t push him either,” he said.

“Rib ones are funny, sometimes you’ve got to play but if you can’t get around the field then you’re gone.

“For him it’s making the decision whether he can do it, because if he can’t he lets the team down.

“He’s got to be confident he will at least get through the game, we can’t be taking passengers at this time of the year into the big games where it’s do or die.”

RLGC FINALS WEEK ONE PREVIEWS

RUNAWAY BAY VS SOUTHPORT: CHAMPION COMES OUT OF RETIREMENT

— August 26

An SOS has been sent out to a three-time premiership winner in Runaway Bay’s finals quest, with halfback of the decade Jimmy Poland to don the Seagulls colours once again.

Poland hung up the boots in the Rugby League Gold Coast’s top competition to take a step back and spend more time with his family, playing in the reserve grade side from time to time.

However a back injury to former player of the year Jenan Wedderburn-Parrish which could spell the end of his season, as well as the absence of lock-turned-hooker Aisea Taholo, led to Seagulls coach Nick Gleeson putting a call out for the veteran's comeback.

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Gleeson confirmed Wedderburn-Parrish would attempt to train in the lead up to Sunday’s semi-final clash against Southport in the hopes his injury will hold up, however he remained unlikely at this stage.

But the 2020 title-winning mentor said in Poland they had the perfect replacement to lead from the front against a Tigers unit who thus far have had their number in 2022.

A man who captained Runaway Bay just last year and who knew what it took to emerge from adversity with a vengeance.

“He said he’d only play reggies to help them out when they were short and that’s what he’s been doing. He hung them up for more time with family, more time watching the kids play footy,” Gleeson said.

“He’s really excited to be fair, he’s like a little kid in a candy store. He loves and lives and breathes footy whether he’s playing or not, and I’ve got no qualms throwing him there.

“It’s his competitiveness, he’s just a leader. He’s the player everyone wants to play with, everyone sits there and wants to play for him.

“When it comes to the big games Jimmy stands up; on the weekend reserve grade needed a win and he bagged four for them (tries). He probably could’ve gone and done bigger and better things but things didn’t work out his way with some silly off field things.

“I know he’s a little bit older, but it means he’s a little bit wiser. I think Southport seeing his name there, they would be not wary of him but I think they’ll know they’re in for a game knowing Jimmy is lining up for us.”

Sunday’s clash is expected to be a match won through the middle, with Southport establishing themselves as one of the most formidable packs in the competition.

It has thrust the onus on the likes of recent Queensland Cup debutant Doryaan Hape Apiata and Sione Palavi to match the intensity in the middle, and provide a platform for halfback Aaron Booth to work behind.

Booth can expect one of his most fierce finals battles, with 300-game NRL veteran Greg Bird expected to be running down his channel in the backrow.

However with three Brisbane Rugby League titles with Wynnum-Manly to Booth’s name, Gleeson was confident his number seven would not be overawed by the occasion.

Having used more than 30 players this year due to a plethora of injuries and QCup selections — including fullback Tyler Han — he said that at last a stable team had come together in recent weeks and the Seagulls best was still to come.

“Our guys won’t be rattled by their guys, we’ve played them twice and they’ve been really good with us this year,” Gleeson said.

“They have been the better side and there will be no complacency with them. They know how good our side is and can be, we just haven’t had much luck when we’ve played them.

“I think a lot of our players will be underdone with injuries but looking at their roster they’ve been changing so it’ll be interesting to see what they put out and how fit they are.

“Everyone’s beating everyone, there’s no favourite I suppose, they’re all good sides and everyone from five up can win it.

“All rosters are depleted, it’s not like we’re the only side with injuries, every side is struggling at the moment so it’ll just depend on what roster they can get on game day and get it together.”

SEASON 2022 HISTORY:

Round 4: Southport 32 (M Morgan 3, B Scott, M Oldfield, B Hamill tries; Z Harris 3, M Oldfield goals) def. Runaway Bay 16 (J Wedderburn-Parrish 2, T Wapi tries; T Han, D Sims goals)

Round 11: Southport 46 (M Oldfield 2, G Bird, E Folau, J Underwood, J Stewart, P Rogers, name not available tries; Z Harris 7 goals) def. Runaway Bay 8 (T Han try; T Han 2 goals)

MUDGEERABA VS TUGUN: REDBACKS HERO TO CALL TIME IN FINALS SWANSONG

— August 26

When their backs are against the wall, Mudgeeraba coach Martin Griese sees the best in his side come to the fore.

And with the motivation to send a former Gold Coast Titan into retirement a winner, a tantalising rematch with Tugun awaits.

Redbacks spiritual leader Zeb Taia will call time on his rugby league days at the end of the 2022 Rugby League Gold Coast season, with defeat on Sunday to end a glittering career.

The 37-year-old played more than 300 first-grade games between the NRL and Super League, including an international cap for New Zealand, and joined the Mudgeeraba ranks this year.

Griese paid tribute to the way in which Taia had injected a palpable bond into the squad from player to player, and said he would be the man to set the standard against the Seahawks.

“Obviously it is a collective but you would hope that the players that have been around for a long time like your Zeb Taia’s,” Griese said.

“I know for a fact he’ll be stepping up and this potentially is his last game and he’ll retire after this year so he’ll want to go out with a bang.

“He’s going to be a leader on the field that’s for sure, he won’t be captain on the weekend but he’s definitely going to be the one when it comes to crunch calling to get on his back.

“He’s just helped build the culture, getting everyone together as a unit whether it be A-grade, reserve grade or even the DMC boys.

“We’re all pretty close, we all have a beer or drink with each other and that kind of stuff. It’s that kind of stuff he brings and reinforced within the club.

“There’s a bit of added motivation, especially the Tugun game. There were a few things that happened that shouldn’t have and I’m sure the boys are going to turn up for a bit of retribution.”

On the back of a heated clash the last time these sides met two weeks ago, Griese said there would no doubt be a sense of retribution in the Redbacks minds after the 30-0 defeat.

Mudgeeraba are yet to completely finalise their 17 to contest the elimination final, with several players battling niggling injuries in a bid to take the field.

While Griese remained coy on who would be given until the last minute to prove their fitness, the club would be boosted by the return of star fullback Kyle Williams.

Williams has already endured a disrupted season courtesy of an ankle concern that has never fully recovered, but after missing last week’s narrow loss to Burleigh will don the number one jersey.

“He was carrying a few injuries so he wasn’t available last week, (but) it’s finals, you don’t get an option,” Griese laughed.

“I’m not putting him out there to play 50 per cent put it that way, he‘ll give it his all which is all that matters.

“He knows exactly what to do, he’s a good leader of the team so they fall in line so to speak.”

SEASON 2022 HISTORY:

Round 1: Tugun 22 (S Latu 2, M Koellner tries; M Burgess 5 goals) def Mudgeeraba 20 (J Bukowski 2, M Tiopira, J Malcolm tries; Z Taia 2 goals)

Round 8: Mudgeeraba 22 (L Ticehurst, C Garvey, J Melrose, Z Taia tries; K Williams 3 goals) def. Tugun 20 (T Cassidy 3 tries, M Burgess 4 goals)

Round 15: Tugun 30 (S Meskell, M Koellner, S Latu, B Midson, J Cook tries; M Burgess 5 goals) def. Mudgeeraba 0

SON OF A GUN INSPIRES BURLEIGH TO MINOR PREMIERSHIP

— August 22

Between seven of the Bears players who lined up against Mudgeeraba, there were only two games of Rugby League Gold Coast A-grade experience.

But throughout the injury carnage and plethora of Queensland Cup call ups, a “brave” win over the Redbacks was mustered, and with that the competition’s minor premiership.

Burleigh emerged from their Sunday clash as 30-22 victors, with a brand new forward pack assembled to take on a physical and dangerous Mudgeeraba outfit.

The likes of Oliver Trenchard-Smith and Luke Khan backed up a clash in reserve grade to make rare top level appearances, as players in the calibre of Josiah Afu, Jordan Scott and Joe Duffy responded to QCup selections.

But it was in the front row that a famous name took centre stage, and rose to the challenge of a Redbacks pack known for their ferocious approach to each hit up.

Aston Bai, the son of former Melbourne Storm and Papua New Guinea winger Marcus, made his starting debut in A-grade, backing up from a maiden stint off the bench last week in which he scored a try against Southport.

Bears coach Matt Foster, who taught Bai in high school at Marymount College, said the mindset of the teenage prop was very much the same as when he sat in class, but now he had begun to grow more and more into his hulking frame.

It is sure to present the premiership-winning mentor with the perfect selection headache throughout the next fortnight, with the likes of Manny Snooks — who received 24 stitches above his eye in the aftermath of the win over the Tigers — bracing for comebacks.

“Physically he doesn’t step backwards, he played in the backrow for 50 minutes against Southport — one of the most physical teams in the comp — and came out with flying colours,” Foster said of Bai.

“He came in the front row against another physical team who try to bully opposition teams through the middle and he stood up to that too. As a 19-year-old that in the middle he’s only going to get stronger.

“His attitude is the same as it was when I was working with him at Marymount, but the thing that’s developed is his desire as he’s gotten bigger. Physically he’s developed and is developing into his big frame, and that comes through attitude and desire.”

Foster’s men will now get the week off as the RLGC finals series begins, with several of his men sure to be feeling the wears of the weekend encounter.

Usual half or hooker Reece McKenzie-O’Brien moved to lock in a fearless display, while Dante Lasio’s shift to the centres yielded 23 hit ups which included scoring the final try to at last seal the victory.

While they have lifted the minor premiership silverware once again, Foster however said their would be little rest for his side as they sought to win back-to-back titles.

However he said the bravery shown against a Redbacks side who have proved the tougher the fight the better they responded had injected plenty of confidence into the group knowing whoever they called on would be up to the task.

“We had to perform like that; seven players in that 17 amassed two to A-grade appearances, five people were making debuts and two with one (game) previously,” Foster said.

“With the players that we had out we pretty much had a brand new forward pack of under-20s and reserve grade players.

“The boys came in and brought a lot of heart and desire and the ones (who were already) in A-grade understood their roles to make sure they managed the game.

“We have (Monday) off to rest some bodies and we’ll come back on Wednesday and Friday. I said straight after the game the psychology of us is two weeks preparation, not one week off then one week preparation.”

nick.wright@news.com.au