Call for vocal Dolphins fans to pack Moreton Daily Stadium

Photo: Aaron Pene at his vocal best during the Dolphins' win over the Falcons  (Vanessa Hafner/QRL)

It’s time to turn Moreton Daily Stadium red and white in support of the Redcliffe Dolphins’ Hostplus Cup and Hastings Deering Colts sides playing preliminary finals at home this Saturday, September 17 (3.10pm kick-off).

Hostplus Cup side Head Coach Scott Murray says a big, vocal crowd could make all the difference as his team takes on minor premiers the Burleigh Bears for a spot in the Grand Final at Moreton Daily Stadium on September 24.

The only time the two sides have played this season was in round three, when the Bears won 18-6, but that was in the middle of the Dolphins’ form slump and the side has been on a roll since round eight.

Burleigh won the minor premiership on 31 points (14 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses). Redcliffe finished the season third on 26 points (11 wins, 2 draws, 6 losses).

The Dolphins had the weekend off, after advancing straight to the preliminary final following their 22-16 win over the Sunshine Coast Falcons in finals week one.

The Hastings Deering Colts preliminary finals will also be held at Moreton Daily Stadium on Saturday (5.05pm kick-off), with the Dolphins taking on the Central Queensland Capras.

The two sides faced-off in round 10, with the Dolphins the victors (28-16). Redcliffe finished the season third on 28 points (13 wins, 3 losses), with the Capras fourth on 26 points (12 wins, 4 losses).

Murray says it will be a big afternoon of footy and they’ll be looking to capitalise on the home-ground atmosphere.

“it’s a massive advantage for us at the end of the year, with our passionate supporters, but we will need them to be loud, very vocal and for there to be lots of them,” he says.

“We’ve worked really hard to get this opportunity to play in front of our fans at home … what better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than to come out and enjoy some quality footy.”

Check out our training session photo gallery

Photos: Dominika Lis

Taking on Burleigh Bears

The Hostplus Cup squad kept their training routine “pretty normal” last week but were able to hit the ground running at Monday night’s session after a weekend off, with no need for recovery and review.

Murray says despite only playing Burleigh early in the season, they know their opponents well.

“They’ve kept the same side all year and that’s been to their advantage and led to their consistency,” he explains.

“We’ve had a big change in personnel since that early encounter. We have a fair idea and know how they play the game and their strengths and the areas in which we know we can be effective.

“We’re content with how we’re going about things and have been for a couple of months now.”

The Dolphins’ team list was announced yesterday (see below) and Murray says he will field a similar team to the one which has performed well in recent weeks.

The weekend off has given players, with niggling injuries, the chance to recover and Murray says they should be right to play.

“We’ll put the best team we can on the field, and it will be a strong one,” he says.

What will it take to beat Burleigh?

“They’ve got some real speed, some good outside backs who are really quick,” Murray says.

“We’re going to need to be really smart with how they get the ball and the opportunities they get.

“They’ve got some real attacking players, but so have we. It’s a really good match-up, two quality teams in the preliminary final which is what you would expect.”

Moment in history

Some players have spoken about wanting to win a Hostplus Cup premiership for the club in the final year before it enters the NRL, but Murray says it’s not their focus and not something the group has discussed.

“We know it’s there and the opportunity it presents is there,” he says.

The focus is instead on winning the next game, so they have the opportunity to play in the Grand Final on September 24.

“We know how tough it’s going to be this weekend for us. We’re now focused on this weekend and whatever happens, happens after that,” Murray says.

Get your tickets

Tickets for the preliminary finals at Moreton Daily Stadium on Saturday, September 17, will be available at the gate. Gates and box office opens at 2pm.

Tickets for the Grand Final day, also at Moreton Daily Stadium, are expected to sell quickly and are available now. Visit the website for details and to purchase.

Redcliffe Dolphins' Hostplus Cup team list