Darwin Dragons and Casuarina Cougars geared up to contest the grand final of the 2020 Darwin A-grade rugby union competition

THE 2020 Darwin A-grade Rugby Union competition comes to a close tonight with Darwin Dragons and Casuarina Cougars fighting it out for a shot at the title

Darwin Dragons’ Hirini Murfitt and Casuarina Cougars’ Mark Ross ahead of the grand final. Picture: TAMIE NEEDHAM

THE 2020 Darwin A-grade Rugby Union competition comes to a close tonight with Darwin Dragons and Casuarina Cougars fighting it out for a shot at the title.

Casuarina won bragging rights over Dragons in Round 8 however the score line of 7-5 showed that nothing could be divided between the two sides.

The Cougars have carried their winning form since then with the side’s eyes now firmly on a first A-grade title since 2013.

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The side boasts a strong forward pack led by Eric Erickson with half back Ryan McMurray sure to pose a threat given his red-hot form in recent matches.

Captain Mark Ross felt it was their forward pack efforts that had earned the side their recent run of wins, and a strong effort there will be needed once more tonight.

“Against South Darwin we had to make sure our forward pack set the platform and tone to give us that early edge,” Ross said.

“Finals forward is a different beast and we can’t come in complacent. The boys are all eager and hungry to get that first win since 2013 so there’s a lot of hype around the club.

“Our game plan is rather similar to the Dragons set on a strong forward pack. So whichever forward pack dominates will be on the front foot throughout the game.”

Dragons didn’t have the strongest start to the season but find themselves in the grand final after a semi-final win over the previously undefeated University Pirates.

Three-time Eric Johnston medalist Hirini Murfitt has stepped into the captaincy role this year in the injury absence of Drew Tobin and is expecting his whole side to give 100 per cent.

Now in the chase for back to back titles big efforts will be expected from the side from Nigel Maher in the halves to Euan Mckillop and Teina H in the forwards.

“Really proud of the boys in the way they got us here. They put in a deep effort and played hard together to get the win over Pirates,” Murfitt said

“A lot of teams have gone back to back so we’re just trying to make sure that now we have the opportunity to do so we can do so ourselves.

“Teamwork and communication has been the big focus for us. We will look to shut down Casuarina’s forward pack and make sure we have strong field position throughout.”

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The match takes place from 7.30pm at Rugby Park.