Redcliffe Dolphins make Hostplus Cup and Hastings Deering Cup Grand Finals

Redcliffe Dolphins fans are in for a massive afternoon of footy with the Hostplus Cup and Hastings Deering Colts sides playing in Grand Finals at Moreton Daily Stadium this Saturday.

It follows dominant displays by both sides at home last weekend. The Hostplus Cup side defeated Burleigh Bears 28-16, while the Colts downed Central Queensland Capras 50-30.

The Dolphins will face Norths Devils, who defeated the Sunshine Coast Falcons 20-13, in the Hostplus Cup Grand Final (kick-off at 3.15pm) and the Colts will play the Townsville Blackhawks, who beat Wynnum Manly Seagulls 42-22 in their Preliminary Final.

Kick-off for the Hastings Deering Colts Grand Final is 1.15pm.

Tickets are on sale now. Visit the website for details and to purchase tickets.

Redcliffe’s Hostplus Cup side came back after a slow start in their physical encounter against Burleigh.

The Bears had three players on report for dangerous contact in the opening 12 minutes, with front-rower Api Noema-Matenga sin-binned.

Despite being a man down, the bears managed to score in the 13^th minute. They crossed again in the 28^th minute to extend their lead to 10-0.

The Dolphins’ fight back started soon after with an offload from Pride Petterson-Robati to an unstoppable Valynce Te Whare, resulting in their first try.

They crossed again just before half-time when Trai Fuller charged up the middle and passed the ball to Sam Elliott whose converted try put the home side in front 12-10 at the break.

Redcliffe dominated from the moment they ran out in the second half with tries to Liam Hampson, Jackson Frei and Setu Tu. Bryce Donovan kicked four from five conversion attempts and missed one field goal attempt.

The Bears crossed with 15 minutes to go but could not close the gap in a physical encounter which resulted in three more players being sent to the sin bin – Trai Fuller (on report for dangerous contact), Liam Hampson and Pat Politioni.

Slow start, strong finish

Redcliffe Dolphins Head Coach Scott Murray says his side was slow out of the blocks, mostly likely the result of having a week off.

“We normally start quite well. It’s an important part of our game. We missed some opportunities to put ourselves in the game,” he says.

“To the guys’ credit, we spoke about it at half-time, they were able to still find a way to get momentum and get themselves going. That was really pleasing.”

He’s particularly pleased with how his experienced players stood up when they needed to, particularly Dunamis Lui, Trai Fuller and Bryce Donovan.

Murray says they will approach this weekend’s Grand Final as they have every other game this season.

“We’ll focus on what got us to this position, and keep the week as similar as possible,” he says.

Murray says not having to travel and having the Grand Final at home is a huge advantage, but he’s expecting Norths to “come out of the blocks firing”.

“They’re playing some good footy. They ask a lot of questions defensively. We’ll have to be better defensively from the start on Saturday,” he says.

“They have some really creative players that have a lot of experience. You don’t get to the Grand Final if you’re not playing good footy. It’s matched up quite well.”

Murray is excited to see the Redcliffe Hastings Deering Colts also through to a home Grand Final and says they have a really strong squad with some who have played at Queensland Cup level too.

He says having both teams through to the big game is pretty special.

Hostplus Cup line-up

Murray says his team will look pretty similar to the side who won last weekend’s Preliminary Final, but he will have to wait and see if Trai Fuller is cleared to play after being placed on report.

“We’ll find out in the next 24 hours. It’s out of our hands,” he says.

Cameron Cullen will be put to the test at training this week, starting tonight, to see how his niggling shoulder injury is faring.

“He will play a role in some way, shape or form,” Murray says.

There will also be a few Warriors in the side, who have not yet returned to New Zealand.

“They have been really good for us. They’ve been better for the run (last weekend) … a few haven’t played a lot due to NRL commitments and other things,” he says.

Home advantage

“It’s of enormous benefit for us to be playing at home. It doesn’t happen too often. We haven’t necessarily spoken about it, we knew it (the possibility) was there,” Murray says.

“Now that the time has come, we know there’s going to be an amazing crowd out there. The crowd out there last weekend was really great. It means a lot to us. The players will really be buzzing.”

Check out our photo gallery

Photos by Dominika Lis

How to get tickets

Fans are encouraged to secure their seats early with tickets now available.

Tickets can be purchased from as little as $65 for a family of four and some attractive hospitality options are available as well.

Hospitality packages include the Shell V Power Civoniceva Lounge, or an afternoon from the Terrace overlooking the field with mates.

Along with the four quality games, there will be activities and entertainment for the entire family including the Shell V Power kick for cash, the Gatorade bolt and McDonald’s sideline experience.

GAME DAY DETAILS

Saturday, September 24

10am: Gates open

10.10am: City v Country girls (Qplus.tv / Kayo)

11.40am: City v Country boys (Qplus.tv / Kayo)

1.15pm: Hastings Deering Colts (Qplus.tv / Kayo)

3.15pm: Hostplus Cup (live broadcast on Channel 9)