Maroochydore Swans play Tewantin-Noosa Thunder in 2024/25 first grade two-day grand final

First grade cricket captains have broken down their match tactics, lead-in form and key players while rival clubs have revealed their premiership predictions. See the full grand final preview.

Sunshine Coast Cricket first grade grand final. Pictures: Matt Mayo Sports Photography, Mitchell Ensby and Facebook.

The contest for the final piece of 2024/25 first grade silverware has arrived with Tewantin-Noosa hosting Maroochydore in day one of the two-day cricket grand final.

The two top teams have met just twice this season with both matches being T20 fixtures and one being the grand final contest won by Tewantin-Noosa.

Minor premiers Maroochydore have been undefeated through the two-day format with wins over Coolum, Glasshouse, Caboolture, Caloundra, Maroochydore Cygnets, Gympie and a semi final victory against Nambour.

Tewantin-Noosa snagged a big win over Caboolture in their semi-final matchup, meaning they will contest all three finals this season.

The Swans had three players selected in our 2024/25 first grade team of the season while Tewantin-Noosa had one.

The grand final match will be played from John Blanck Oval at Elizabeth Daniels Park on March 22 and 29.

Read below to find out what both captains had to say ahead of their do-or-die match-ups and who the rest of the competition were siding with.

• 4500+ players: Every junior and senior cricketer ranked for 24/25 season

2024/25 two-day GRAND FINAL

Maroochydore captain Blaine Schloss and Tewantin-Noosa captain Michael Eckard. Pictures: Mitch Ensby and Matt Mayo Photography.

Q: How has your side’s form been leading in?

Schloss (Maroochydore): “The boys have been playing some terrific cricket in the two-day format. Our bowlers have been able to execute and knock teams over for not much which has allowed our batters to come in and play a lot more freely and a bit more aggressive. That’s a bit different to how we’ve played in past seasons where we’ve been a bit more of a defensive minded team. We plan to keep moving ahead with that approach this weekend by staying positive, staying aggressive and taking the game to the opposition.”

Eckard (Tewantin-Noosa): “During the two-day matches it’s quite hard to have everyone playing and available every week but we have been quite lucky in the commitment from players. Everyone has been really keen so our side has stayed quite similar throughout which has helped a lot and been really good.”

Q: How are you preparing for the match?

Schloss (Maroochydore): “We had some strong plans against Nambour last week and while we certainly weren’t expecting to knock them over for 50 it was nice to see some of the plans come to fruition. While we haven’t played Tewantin-Noosa as much this season, there hasn’t been much turnover so we do know what their side is capable of and what 11 they’ll name. It is a different scenario but in saying that there’s not too much hidden.”

Eckard (Tewantin-Noosa): “We don’t really look at our opponents and plan anything too specific around them. We take it each game or each day at a time by making sure we’re prepared as best as possible and focus on playing our brand of cricket.”

Q: Which players for both teams might be key?

Players to watch in the grand final include Maroochydore’s Tom Olsen and Henry Wilson and Tewantin-Noosa’s Jarrod Officer and Scott Aufderheide. Pictures: Facebook, Matt Mayo Photography and Warren Lynam.

Schloss (Maroochydore): “From our point of view Tom Olsen has been bowling really well of late, particularly in the two-day format. He bowled really well in the one day competition but just didn’t get the rewards he deserved so his luck has swung around in the two-dayers. He’s bowling at a good pace, getting some good movement on the Maroochydore wicket and just an overall handful for the opposition. He’s certainly a key for us and then with the bat, majority of our guys have been pretty steady throughout the year. Cody Brown has been outstanding at the top of the order, especially on some tough wickets that we’ve played on and Henry Wilson is over 500 runs for the season batting at number three. They’re two guys that lay the platform for us but we’ve also seen that if our top order does miss out we’ve got some younger players through the middle that can change the game. I thought Locke Robinson was outstanding in our semi final. From an opposition side of things Michael Eckard has had a great season with bat and ball. He’s a class player and to make a century in a semi final is a credit to him. He’s one we’ll look to try and limit as well as Jarrod Officer who is a real momentum guy for them. He takes the game on and plays aggressive as do Tom Stewart and Scott Aufderheide with the ball.”

Eckard (Tewantin-Noosa): “Our bowlers are our main point and our two openers, Tom Stewart and Scott Aufderheide have done a great job all season across all formats. Hopefully they can continue their form and hit their straps again like they did against Caboolture in the semi final.”

Competition Captain’s Tips

Cam Trask (Caboolture Snakes): “I’d go with Maroochydore. Home ground advantage will be key.”

Nick Wallace (Nambour Cutters): “It’s a tough one to predict. Tewantin-Noosa have arguably the best top six in the competition and we experienced first hand how damaging Maroochydore’s opening bowlers can be in the semi final. I think I’d have to choose Tewantin-Noosa in a close one as I think runs will be at a premium.”

Joel Owen (Glasshouse Districts): “I have it as a very close game but for me Tewantin-Noosa come away with the win. They have a good mix of experience and young boys in the team, they have been in all situations and can always find their way out and for me they have been the most consistent team throughout the competition.”

Jack Parker (Maroochydore Cygnets): “I’m with Maroochydore to break the two-day drought. The new ball attack of Nathan O’Mara and Tom Olsen to run through the Tewantin-Noosa top order and Cody ‘Breezy’ Brown to continue his form with the bat with a grand final century.”

Stefan Hook (Coolum Sharks): “I think Tewantin-Noosa will be too good. They’re a class outfit.”

Will Carlile (Caloundra CC): “I think Tewantin-Noosa will win. I believe they have the best all-round team, they don’t really have any weaknesses and have a great mix of youth and experience.”

Kelvin Cochrane (Gympie Gold): “It’s a tough call. Two great teams, both in form, both strong with bat and ball. I’ll say Maroochydore win by one wicket in a tight one after a Jarrod Officer century for Tewantin-Noosa.”

Clayton Taylor (Palmwoods Hawks): “I think Tewantin-Noosa will be too strong. They have every base covered and I think they can win away from home. Beating a strong Caboolture side like that is a real statement and they’ll come into the game with a lot of confidence.”

Originally published as Maroochydore Swans play Tewantin-Noosa Thunder in 2024/25 first grade two-day grand final