On the Gold Coast’s biggest stage, for local rugby league’s biggest occasion, the battle lines have been draw.

With the Rugby League Gold Coast’s final senior sides now locked in, a series of true tests of will and determination are about to be on show.

Here we break down each grand final to take place at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday.

KEEP SCROLLING FOR:

— Under 18s Division 2; Brave teenagers defy the odds in first and final battle

— Under 18s Division 1: Last second thriller steals the show

— Under 20s; Impact man takes top gong

— Reserve Grade; Dynasty locked in as Eagles soar

— A-Grade; Bird hints to future to end Southport bloodbath

— Photo galleries included in each section

CLICK HERE TO RELIVE ALL THE RLGC FINALS ACTION HERE

A-GRADE: BURLEIGH VS SOUTHPORT

MATCH WRAP: At last, the drought is broken.

After a career spanning more than 300 first-grade appearances, 18 State of Origin caps and 17 games in the Kangaroos colours, Greg Bird has lifted his first senior premiership trophy.

And when all was said and done, he gave his biggest indication yet that this would not be the end of his Southport tenure.

With a sign in the crowd showcasing a photo of the veteran forward being taken down in a tackle, with cries of “Bird is not the word” ringing out, the former NRL star was left reeling in the opening set of six of his side’s 40-0 triumph over the Burleigh Bears.

But in his first senior rugby league grand final, he was never going to stay down.

Bird was in the thick of it from the opening whistle: he was placed on report, had a try taken off him and set up Benjamin Thomas in the latter stages on the back of a linebreak.

Plenty had been made early in the 2022 campaign of the talent poured into the Tigers lineup; the money put into making the unit a championship winner.

With Bird joined by fellow past first-graders Michael Oldfield, Sione Katoa and John Folau, as well as state league contenders such as Piki Te Ora Rogers, Eni Folau and Jaline Graham.

It ensured the Clive Palmer-owned powerhouse had plenty of external pressure, with anything but the silverware likely to be considered a failure.

However in taking on the minor premiers, Southport produced arguably the most complete performance of the year and rarely looked troubled.

And in the aftermath of it all, smiling and giving a thumbs up to a parochial crowd as he took the stage, Bird hinted he was not done with yet.

“(To) Burleigh; you’ve been the best team all year and it showed with the minor premiership,” Bird said in his post-game address.

“Thanks to our supporters, To our boys … Clive Palmer brought this team together, invested his money, and hopefully we can do it again next year.”

Two scuffles broke out within the opening two minutes, speaking volumes to the battles exchanged between the two sides throughout the year.

However with skipper Jordan Scott ruled out prior to kick off, succumbing to a shoulder injury sustained the week prior against Tugun, the odds were immediately stacked against the Bears.

It took 20 minutes for Southport to open the scoring through a penalty goal, before halfback Zane Harris reached out full stretch to score the first try.

Back to back attacking sets nearly extended the lead, with Harris looking to put edge forward and player of the match Jake Fitzgerald through a hole, only for the Tigers to be pinned for obstruction.

However the 8-0 halftime lead was eventually extended early in the second half, as Eni Folau barged his way over to have his side well in front.

Approaching the final 20 minutes, after withstanding a rare Bears onslaught, bench forward Benjamin Thomas completed a perfect first set of six.

After making a huge break through the middle of the field, Thomas then took several defenders over the line with him to take the margin beyond three converted tries.

Five minutes later and Harris was at work again, busting through the line before passing inside for his halves partner Graham to take an unassailable lead.

Bird returned after a stint on the bench to make a meal of a tiring Bears defence, shrugging through a tackle to break the line and offload inside to give Thomas his second.

Moments later, after Burleigh claimed possession from a short kick off, the 37-year-old laid on a monster hit before he and two teammates dragged the Bears into touch.

Despite being the team to beat for the past two campaigns, Burleigh never got a sniff on Saturday.

For Southport there was simply too much intent, too much to prove and too much top level class to be thwarted on the Gold Coast’s biggest stage.

PREVIEW: Mystery still surrounds whether Burleigh skipper Jordan Scott will take the field, a shoulder injury cruelling his preparations for an almighty premiership charge.

However should he fail to line up, it will complete a story arc for one man the Bears hooker admits he has never seen the likes of.

Interchange rake Josiah Afu began the season in reserve grade, called up for an extended run in the Scott’s place when the captain succumbed to a broken thumb.

Such were the strength of his performances, highlighted by his two try heroics against Southport in Round 15, he earned himself a Queensland Cup debut from obscurity.

Scott, who was taken from the field in last week’s preliminary final win over Tugun, said it was a meteoric rise he had not witnessed before.

Yet he said it spoke volumes to the dedication Afu has applied to his trade, and should the first choice number nine fail to prove his fitness there were no doubts the man nipping at his heels would step up on the big stage.

“I haven’t seen it (such a quick rise), I guess it just shows that persistence pays off. He deserves it,” Scott said.

“Josiah is a gun, he’s come through this year and bided his time. He’s one of those players who has never missed a training session, he shows up and puts in 100 per cent each week.

“Josiah deserves everything he gets, he goes out there each week and puts in the performances we need him to put in. I love the kid, he’s a legend bloke as well.”

Scott’s determination to lead his side out onto Cbus Super Stadium despite his injury concerns comes from several sources of motivation.

Being his first full year captaining the squad, another battle with the Tigers — who they have traded blows with throughout 2022 — would also pit him against his younger brother, Blake.

While the pair have 53 Queensland Cup appearances between them for Burleigh and Tweed respectively, only on rare occasions have they taken each other on — two hookers squaring off when Southport and the Bears have battled.

Banter has been aplenty, according to Scott, whenever they have gone head to head, with Blake winning their last encounter — a 34-18 Tigers win to book a spot in the decider.

That has only served as extra motivation or the Burleigh leader to give himself every chance to recover in time for the opening whistle, hopeful to close out what has been arguably the most challenging season of his rugby league career.

“This is definitely been the hardest year. I’ve had a few injuries and it’s made it a bit difficult, but I’ve got a good crew around me that sort of keep me up every week and keep my head where it needs to be,” Scott said.

“I was devastated (on Sunday), grand finals are what you play for and with this group especially and getting the opportunity to captain the boys this year I was devastated.

“I thought my year was done, but I’m pretty keen to get out there this weekend and put it all behind me. I think once the adrenaline kicks in I won’t worry about it.

“One to 17 everyone is going to do a job on both sides. They’ve all got something in the back pocket that can bite you in the a** and hurt you so we’ll watch out for everyone.”

Burleigh and Southport will kick off from 5.30pm.

RESERVE GRADE: CURRUMBIN VS SOUTHPORT

MATCH WRAP: Barely anything separated two sides who were vying for the title under varying circumstances.

For Southport it was the chance to prove they were the top dogs of the RLGC Reserve Grade completion. For Currumbin, the opportunity for a dynasty beckoned.

In the end it was the southside men who cemented themselves in history, winning 20-12 to secure their third premiership in a row.

A defensive masterclass opened the showcase at Cbus Super Stadium, with neither side giving an inch to the other until Eagles halfback Reid Henderson sliced through.

The number seven’s effort occurred deep into the opening stanza, before the Tigers hit back in the shadows of the break.

Interchange man Eni Morgan found his way over the line on the stroke of halftime, with Kobe Whalan’s conversion giving the yellow and blacks a 6-4 advantage.

While Southport extended their lead, the Eagles were quick to respond through Jakob Smith to set up an enticing finish.

That is when young gun Zion Johnson continued his try scoring streak, one which carried over from his end of season A-grade appearances.

The enigmatic centre sliced through to cross down the right hand touch, converting his own try for a four-point lead.

The Tigers had the chance to attack shortly after, but a monster tackle forced the error, only for a Currumbin error immediately after to put the pressure back on.

But the red wall held form, as Southport sweeping backline movement only resulted in another monster hit forcing the Tigers into touch.

A pair of penalties then helped the Eagles marched down the field, with fullback Benjamin Kebby crossing to clinch the match.

PREVIEW: They have been at this same stage for the past two season, winning on both occasions and putting themselves on the cusp of an Eagles dynasty.

However Currumbin reserve-grade captain Brendan Ratcliff believes that given how their bouts with Saturday’s rivals have fared it will take a pair of young talents to be the x-factors which decide grand finals.

Outside backs Lachlan Smith and Zion Johnson both answered SOS calls into the club’s A-grade side this year, with the latter orchestrating a 30-18 win over Ormeau with two tries in the final clash of the campaign.

Johnson would cross the white line six times in the same number of appearances in the RLGC’s premier competition, while Smith took the field on nine occasions and score half a dozen tries of his own.

And Ratcliff, who was promoted to the A-grade outfit and scored in that same game Johnson announced himself at the top level, said it was the fact the duo had proven to be such enigmas that could prove their greatest weapons on the day.

“They’re both young, loud, keen and exciting footballers. (Smith’s) just exciting, I don’t think he knows what he’s doing half the time let alone what we’re doing,” he said.

“They’re both a bit like that, they don’t know what they’re going to do so you just sit back and watch them.

“Their confidence is definitely up from playing A-grade and I think they’ve become great mates playing a bit of that together.

“We’ve versed them three times and they’ve got us all three times so we’ll be in for a tough one.”

Despite Currumbin’s recent grade final record in the DLC competition, they will need to fight by a Southport outfit who are yet to suffer defeat at their hands in 2022.

Such has been the depth of the Tigers senior ranks, the likes of Gold Coast Vikings representatives Brock Hamill and Denzal Ngati have been donning their colours in reserve grade for much of the year.

It is for that reason Southport captain Nazareth Monshall cannot identify any key man who will need to set the standard come Saturday.

He said to defeat an Eagles contingent who have grown accustom to success, a collective effort would be the only way to lift the silverware.

And the Tigers prop sent out an ominous warning to their forthcoming rivals: even with the minor premiership in their cabinet, they had barely scratched the surface of their abilities.

“It’s been pretty patchy, a bit up and down, we haven’t really clicked to our full potential so hopefully we can on the weekend,” Monshall said.

“We keep shooting ourselves in the foot just doing little dumb things all the time but we’ll have one more training session and hopefully we can make it all work.

“They’ve been here and done that, they know what it takes so hopefully we can rise to the occasion to their sort of caliber.

“I love it, I love the pressure, the atmosphere everything it’s why we play footy.”

Southport and Currumbin will kick off from 3.30pm.

UNDER 20S: HELENSVALE VS BURLEIGH

MATCH WRAP: Sometimes to emerge triumphant it is not courtesy of the man making 50 tackles or scoring the freakish tries.

It is the player who picks their moments and makes an impact with each touch.

That was the case for Burleigh utility Nathan Eedy, whose man of the match performance inspired his side to a 36-16 victory over Helensvale in the under-20s grand final.

Once injected into the contest from the pine, Eedy brought plenty of energy and enthusiasm, making significant yardage with every hit up and applying a plethora of defensive pressure.

Despite beginning the year on the win, Bears coach Jason Bradfield sensed there was an opportunity for the youngster to do a job in the middle of the field throughout the closing stages of the campaign.

It proved a masterstroke, with Eedy’s decider heroics his second MVP honour on the trot.

“To be honest he brings impact off the bench and sometimes impact off the bench is just as important as the bloke who plays 80 minutes because if you put him on at the right time he can change the game,” Bradfield said.

“He just puts his hand up constantly to run the ball, tackle and be in everything. He might not have been in there for big minutes, but he doubles up with hit ups in each set of six and he works extremely hard.

“He’s a kid who started on the wing for us at the start of the year, he’s probably played three or four games now in the middle and two of those he’s been man of the match.”

By the time Eedy was given his license to shine, plenty of damage had already been done by the Burleigh spine and a dominant forward pack.

While the Hornets scored with the final play of the first-half to keep the score in check at 14-10, edge forward Aston Bai kept the maroon and white army on the front foot – scoring a try of his own in a performance that typified why he earned his A-grade stripes this season.

Eedy may have taken home the individual award, but it was on the back of five-eighth Kobe Woods and hooker Lachlan Adamson – who both scored doubles – that his impact could be felt.

Bradfield went as far as to liken Woods to one of the NRL’s biggest superstars, and lauded Adamson for the composure and class he brought to the ruck.

“Kobe is just a bit like a (Cameron) Munster sort of football player. I don’t know what he’s going to do, he doesn’t know what he’s going to do, and he just does good things,” Bradfield said.

“And Lachie Adamson had to be a very close second, the amount of work he got through, the way he steered us around the park he was outstanding.

“The boys did a lot of the hard work in the first half. The plan was to just play footy down their end of the field and try and wear them down with a bit of pressure and it paid dividends at the end of the game.”

PREVIEW: Three of the competition’s top four try scorers will have the chance to win the top gong when they face off, however it could be a pair of battle hardened forwards who instead prove the difference.

Burleigh outside backs Zac Munn and Jesse Sommerville have set the standard in the Gold Coast’s under-20s competition, combining for 22 tries between them.

But out to win the race to the finish will be a young Hornet described by his former coach Ian Frame as “one of the quickest guys I’ve ever coached”.

Tremaine Harry has been a standout for Helensvale throughout the year, using his sheer speed to leave would-be defenders in his wake and thrust his side into Saturday’s decisive clash.

However should the opposing backline weapons cancel each other out, an enthralling forwards contest looms.

On that note, meet Aston Bai and Jay Blazek.

Burleigh young gun Bai comes from elite rugby league stock, with his father Marcus forging a palpable NRL career on the Melbourne Storm’s wing.

The 20-year-old was called up by Bears A-grade coach Matt Foster to make his top level debut when late season injuries hit the squad, scoring in his maiden appearance in a climactic victory over Southport.

He would go on to earn a starting role in the front row prior to the finals series, helping the defending champions secure the minor premiership.

“He was solid as a rock, I don’t think he missed a tackle and he scored a try,” Foster said after Bai’s opening appearance.

“He got swamped but … I know Aston from Marymount, he was one of my students so I knew him pretty well and I knew his attitude.

“He was a tough kid who valued his defence and that’s why I wanted to give him the opportunity.”

While Bai has been named in the backrow for the clash at Cbus Super Stadium, any chance he may get to take on Blazek will be a sign of what could be in the years to come.

Blazek began the year as the Hornets starting lock in the A-grade side, impressing with his relentless approach to any hit up, tackle or chase regardless of what the scoreboard said.

While he was moved back to the under-20s to aid his long term development, former Helensvale coach Clinton Toopi identified him as a man to watch before a ball had been kicked.

“I’m only going to say this because I love everything about him … he’s young, vibrant, energetic, respectful, all the qualities I see that has potential to go all the way in my opinion,” the former Titan said on the eve of Round 1.

“He only played a handful of A-grade games (in 2021) then had to focus on the 18s. But he was all quality, he had the opportunity to go down and get some experience with the Burleigh colts and I felt like that did a lot of good for him as a player with his development.

“He even put on some size for us which was really exciting, and I know he’ll be able to maintain the physicality of what A-grade brings.

“He’s one of those kids that you want them to be successful because they’re out and out good humans.”

Helensvale and Burleigh will kick off from 1.30pm.

UNDER 18S DIVISION 1: CURRUMBIN VS NERANG

MATCH WRAP: This is just the beginning for the Currumbin Eagles’ under-18s unit.

With the majority of the outfit set to return to the competition next season, hooker William Saunders declared they were well in the hunt for back to back titles.

The talented hooker spearheaded his side to a thrilling 24-22 triumph over Nerang in the division one grand final, with a seesawing affair captivating onlookers at Cbus Super Stadium.

It took a try in the corner on the last play of the game to winger Zane Anderson to get the Eagles over the line, after ace Roosters hooker Dorian Lotaki got his side in front with just two minutes remaining.

However a coaching masterstroke from Currumbin mentor Cameron Cullen to opt for a unique short kick off – opting for a low assault directed at an unsuspecting rival – to get the red and whites the ball back and send the Eagles faithful into hysterics.

And given the side will only lose four players next season, with the young squad still largely eligible for the under-18s again, Saunders believed there was plenty more he and his team could bring.

“This team hasn’t been a strong team throughout the years, but we finally just got together as a group and put in the hard work at the start of the season,” Saunders said.

“It’s finally paid off so it feels pretty good. When they scored that try we got in a huddle and just said we needed to get the ball back here. We did it and stole it at the end.

“Now we have to try and go on and win it next year. I’ll celebrate now and think about that later when it comes to it.”

Nerang were fearless in their battle to instead be the ones to lift the silverware, with winger Jeremiah Temepo (spelling) scoring yet another double to take his try tally to 22 for the campaign.

His Keebra Park high school teammate, Immanuel Kalekale, was near unstoppable at times himself, scoring a try and leaving a trail of defenders in his wake with each carry.

However Cullen said it was his side’s ability to punch well above their weight that kept them in the hunt until the death, a trait instilled in the group about six weeks ago when they felt their season slipping by.

With the likes of prop Jett Jackson going head to head with far bigger rivals, the coach said it came down to football smarts as the war raged on – something his young men had in spades.

“About six weeks ago we were sitting in fifth spot and had a long hard look at ourselves. We had a bit of belief that once the school stuff got out of the way the boys could get together and that really helps,” Cullen said.

“We’re only a little side but we have a lot of smart footballers in our side. You see Will at nine, he’s only a little nine compared to the size of big Dorian, but he’s a good footballer and it goes right across the park.

“If you get good footballers over big footballers you’ll always win at the end of the day.”

PREVIEW: If his Eagles are to thwart the minor premiers, captain Jake Lateo knows it could take a State of Origin calibre effort.

Good thing for the Currumbin youngsters they have just that blood in their unit.

Rising hooker William Saunders, the cousin of Queensland Maroons Game III hero Tom Dearden, looms as a crucial figure to his side’s cause when they meet the Nerang Roosters.

The Palm Beach Currumbin product comes into each contest with the fight fighting spirit the Cowboys star has embodied throughout 2022, and according to Lateo will hold the key to the Eagles fortunes.

With gun rake Dorian Lotaki donning the Roosters number nine jersey, showcasing plenty of strength running from dummy half to be fifth in the try scorers tally with nine, an enthralling battle awaits.

“He’s going to have to have a big game out of dummy half, he’s pretty fast out of the nine. If our forwards can lay a good platform for him he’ll break the game open for us,” Lateo said.

“He’ll get banged up and just get up, he’ll play the rest of the game with a limp if he has to. “He won’t take no for an answer.”

It took what Lateo described as a “shocker” of a first half against Burleigh midway through the season to cause Currumbin to awaken from their slumber, after a slow start threatened to cruel the campaign.

Since then, however, he said they had found a rhythm, and despite Nerang having the wood on them throughout the regular season the Eagles earnt a week off in the finals with a 30-28 triumph two weeks ago.

Lateo, who hopes to announce himself as PBC’s halfback in waiting for their 2023 Langer Trophy tilt, said the age gap between his red and white army and their rivals took time to adjust to.

But once they did, he said any nerves went out the window and they were instilled with a belief they belonged in this division.

“We’re a younger side, I think we only have three players who turned 18 this year and the rest of us only turned 17,” Lateo explained.

“I think it was just adjusting to the physicality of playing up a grade, so it’s pretty good for us boys to make the grand final as a younger side.

“The first time we played them they rolled us, then the second time during the season it was a bit of a tighter match. Then in the semi-final we beat them to have a week off, we played our best game of footy for this year.

“I’m pretty comfortable, I’m not too nervous it’s just another game. I try not to think of it as a grand final, I’ll just go out there and play how I have all year.”

Currumbin and Nerang will kick off from 12pm on Saturday.

UNDER 18S DIVISION 2: SOUTHPORT VS MUDGEERABA

MATCH WRAP: With a formidable forward pack laying a palpable platform, Southport halfback Riley Muller was given a licence to shine off the back of it.

Led by Tigers skipper Linden Bichel the yellow and black army always had their foot on the throat as they closed out a 22-10 triumph over Mudgeeraba.

Muller pulled the strings brilliantly behind the under-18 division two champions’ monster pack, and was recognised with man of the match honours following the clash.

His performance followed up on a 2021 campaign in which he was awarded Best and Fairest for the Tigers in the under-16s division one side.

After Southport opened the scoring, a brilliant individual Redbacks try to Jaycriyzel Patelesio Faammausili squared the ledger and set up a tantalising first and final 2022 battle between the two sides.

The Tigers would cross again and boot a 42m penalty goal right on halftime to take an eight-point lead into the break.

However Mudgeeraba were first to strike in the second half, a pair on penalties helping them march down field for centre Nephi George to score.

But when Tigers centre Ky Eade charged over off a close range scrum, the damage was all but done.

Shortly after they were in again, a beautiful backline movement ending in Ethan Bennett’s hands on the wing to extend the lead.

A dangerous tackle with six minutes to play led to a redback being sent from the field, all but securing the Tigers win.

PREVIEW: Two sides who are yet to face off this season will do so come grand final day, and yet among the playing groups they share one common theme.

Bravery.

Already it has been a trying campaign for Mudgeeraba’s under-18s outfit, having begun the campaign in division one before a player dearth forced them to drop to the competition’s second tier.

Coaches and players alike set about recruiting; discussing their plight with schools, other clubs and family friends to keep their year alive.

However it was at training one day that Redbacks skipper Jack Raithby recalls a moment that put their struggles into perspective and got their season back on track.

And it began when hooker Jordan Lunney delivered some harrowing news, yet continued to showcase the type of courage that bellied his teenage years.

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“He came to training one day and told us he had throat cancer, so he was sick but he still played. Even going through treatment he was on the bench and he’d come on and put shots on,” Raithby said.

“He does a lot of damage for his size. He’s pretty tough, he’s not too big but he’s got a heart of gold.

“We just went back to team morale, staying positive and just proving to everyone that we can still do it. Even though we’ve had all these knock downs time after time we were proving to everyone we could still do it.

“I’m pretty sure he’s doing better now, I’m not actually sure if he’s OK with me sharing this but I think he would be now that he’s doing better and has really lifted us as a team.

“Seeing that he can come back from that and still and still play week in week out and do the stuff that he does.”

There are parrels to Lunney’s story on the Southport side of the fence.

Tigers captain Linden Bichel said the opening half of the campaign was plagued by player availability, often with only six players at training each week due to new found life and work commitments that come with early adulthood.

The lock has only been plying his trade in recent years, having suffered from epilepsy growing up. His teammate, winger Ethan Bennett, also felt the blow of severe blood clots yet refused to ever leave the field willingly.

For some time, Bichel said his father was concerned about thrusting him onto the field, fearful his condition may cause extensive damage in the throes of such a physical affair.

But during a Titans Schools League game, Bichel took the field and shone, leading his family to concede he belonged with a Steeden in his hands.

That quest has taken the soon-to-be high school graduate to Cbus Super Stadium, where he hopes to kickstart a journey towards the NRL.

“My dad was scared of putting me into footy, but then he saw me play in a Titans Cup game and I smashed it so he’s like ‘it’s worth it’,” Bichel said.

“I haven’t suffered from epilepsy or anything like that since so I jumped back on the field and have been loving it. I’ve passed all that and it’s been amazing.

“I was always that one setting up the ball work before everyone was there and all the cones and packing them up.

“But it was worth it, growing with a team like this has been awesome and not just good as footy player but as men we’ve all grown together.

“Lose or win it’s an amazing effort for everyone.”

Given Mudgeeraba started the year in the division one outlet, they are yet to take on Bichel’s yellow and black clad brigade.

One thing the pair can agree on is perhaps the moment will be better for that reason.

Gracing the same hallowed turf their idols have taken to before them, one last foray into the unknown will prove the ultimate finish to a season spent overcoming adversity.

“The season was still going to go on regardless, so it was pretty much just letting everyone know what they have to do to win,” Raithby said.

“We didn’t have a very good start to the season, we couldn’t even get a team together, but it definitely feels like a reward just getting to this stage.”

“I think it’s probably better for us coming onto the field not knowing what to expect,” Bichel added.

“We like to play a bit off the foot, we like to not go out there stressing about what’s going to happen. We’re just going to go in there and giving 100 per cent effort and I know the boys will.”

The two teams will kick off from 10.30am on Saturday.

nick.wright@news.com.au