Gold Coast Eagles upset Helensvale Hogs 27-26 in elimination final

IT was the upset that not even the Gold Coast Eagles saw coming.

IT was the upset that not even the Gold Coast Eagles saw coming.

Helensvale powering through the Gold Coast District Rugby Union elimination final at Bienvenue Drive on Sunday was supposed to be a formality and all seemed to be going to script when the Hogs raced to a 21-0 lead early.

The demolition job had begun – except the Eagles had a surprise in store. They dug their heels in and scrapped all the way to the final siren to hand a 27-26 defeat to the shellshocked Hogs.

Helensvale had put 50 on the Eagles in their past two meetings, including their Round 21 clash just eight days earlier.

Aaron Grant escapes a Hogs tackle. Picture: Glenn Hampson

The emotion of Eagles captain Dean Counter said it all.

“I actually can’t believe it. The Hogs have been playing so good all year and they have beaten us easily,” he said.

“I broke down in the huddle because it just meant so much getting through.”

Hogs coach Tonga Lea’aetoa cut a frustrated figure post-match.

“I feel like that game was taken out of our hands. The penalty count and yellow cards, what can you say?” he fumed.

Steven Finigan was outstanding for Helensvale. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“People are human … I don’t want to say too much because I know the referees give up their time as well and I don’t want to take anything away from Eagles. They deserved to win, they played for 80 minutes.”

Despite the inspirational efforts of skipper Steven Finigan, the Hogs made a number of errors under pressure and now must wait another 12 months for a shot at an elusive premiership.

The Eagles meanwhile will try to repeat Bond Pirates’ 2015 charge from fourth place to the decider when they face Surfers Paradise in the preliminary final next Saturday.