Woolf’s “fired up” warning

Hooker Brent Woolf says a “fired up” Burleigh Bears stand between Redcliffe Dolphins and another Hostplus Cup grand final.

Woolf, who plays his 50th game in the red and white this weekend, believes Dolphins’ have one of their best opportunities of winning the Premiership.

In fact, approaching Sunday’s preliminary final against Bears at Kayo Stadium (2.10pm), he says Dolphins are the “best attacking and defensive side in the comp”.

But, having travelled to watch Burleigh last weekend, Woolf warns Bears are “going to be fired right up, especially early on”.

“It’ll be a grind for the first 20 or so,” he told the Redcliffe Dolphins website, “we’ll just see who breaks first.

“I had high expectations for us at the start of the year with the squad we had and people in the team.

“I know Dave (Elliott) is a great coach. But we haven’t fulfilled those expectations as of yet.

“We’ve been good, we’re second (on the ladder), we’re through to the prelim, we have the best attack and defence in the comp.

“We’re everything I thought we could be. We just need to get a grand final win.”

That would fill a gap in Woolf’s sporting resume which includes a losing grand final with Dolphins and this year a place in the Indigenous All Stars and NRL debut.

Dolphins, who finished second on the ladder, beat third-placed Central Queensland Capras at Kayo Stadium in Round One of the finals series.

Burleigh Bears lost to minor premiers Sunshine Coast, but squeezed past Townsville Blackhawks 12-10 in Round Two to set-up a clash with Dolphins.

In their only meeting during the regular season, Bears beat Dolphins 22-12 on the opening day, but finished five points behind on the final ladder.

“A grand final win would be awesome,” said on the Dolphins website, “I haven’t ticked that off yet.

“I’ve been close – prelims for Tweed, a grand final for Redcliffe, but it’s something I haven’t ticked off.

“I’m coming closer to the end of my career. The squad we have this year, there’s not many Hostplus Cup squads with our depth, our ability, our connection.

“It’s my best opportunity to win a grand final with any team I’ve had around me.”

Dolphins last won the Premiership in 2018 beating Easts 36-22. There followed grand final defeats to Norths in 2022 (16-10) and 2024 (34-20).

Burleigh Bears are the defending Premiers having beaten Norths 22-8 in last year’s grand final.