Surfers Paradise and Griffith University Colleges to do battle in critical grand final qualifier

The Gold Coast District Rugby Union first grade premiership might well be decided on Saturday, if history is anything to go by.

THE Gold Coast District Rugby Union first grade premiership might well be decided on Saturday, if history is anything to go by.

For at least the past five seasons, the winner of the grand final qualifier has gone on to lift the coveted trophy two weeks later.

In 2014 and 2015, that was the Gold Coast Eagles. The next two years went the way of Surfers Paradise – both in unbeaten campaigns – before Griffith University Colleges jumped in on the act last winter.

Colleges gained the ascendancy in 2018 by coming from 18-0 down in the major semi-final to condemn Surfers to a defeat they would not recover from.

Griffith University Colleges players celebrate winning the 2018 decider. Picture: Jerad Williams

The archrivals will be at it again on Saturday afternoon at the home of the Dolphins, Albert Park, in a potentially winner takes all clash.

Surfers lock Tyler Meredith acknowledged the advantage of earning a week off, and direct entry into the decider, that comes as a reward to the victor.

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“It’s huge. A few boys have got little niggles so if we can get that extra week to get a few of our players right for the final, then it’s going to be massive,” he said.

This is arguably the first time in recent years that the Dolphins have entered a play-offs match as the underdogs; even after making it to the grand final the hard way last year, they were tipped by many to complete a title three-peat.

Tyler Meredith pictured in 2016. Picture: Jerad Williams

That did not eventuate, meaning Surfers are hellbent on regaining the premiership trophy in the coming weeks.

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“They have been sort of the top dogs all year,” 30-year-old Meredith said of minor premiers Colleges.

“At the start of the year all we were looking for was to make finals, let alone the top two, so it was a big achievement for us.

“We’re going into this definitely the underdogs.”

Tyler Meredith (left) tackles Colleges opposite number Kerrod Martorella in a match last year. Picture: Mike Batterham

Aside from a hiccup against Helensvale a fortnight back, Surfers have improved considerably during the year and Meredith believes a mix of territory domination, strong defence and “relentless aggression” will be vital against the Knights.

The loser of the match will move into a sudden death preliminary final against the winner of Sunday’s knockout play-off between Helensvale and Nerang.