AFTER running neck-and-neck all season it is only fitting that this years FOGS Colts grand final will be played out between the 2012 title holders the Redcliffe Dolphins and this years minor premiers the Easts Tigers.
For the Dolphins who finished one point behind the Tigers in the regular season it has been a case of different coach, but same result with a place in the grand final. They will now be hoping to repeat last years success and earn back-to-back titles under new coach Brendan Lam.
The Tigers however would have felt some pressure to join them in the decider, with their fellow club teams already earning their place on the grand final day ledger with their major semi-final victories.
Easts were made to go about it the hard way, needing to beat the Wynnum Manly Seagulls (who finished the season one point behind the Dolphins) in their preliminary final match last Sunday.
The two grand final teams have played each other four times this season, with one match finishing in a draw.
Easts have won twice compared to the Dolphins one victory, which came in the major semi-final clash when skipper John Brady booted a stunning 45m field goal in extra time to get his team across the line 13-12.
Speaking to QRL TV after his sides 38-12 preliminary final win over the Seagulls last Sunday, Tigers coach David Krause said he was happy that his players were made to work to earn their place in the final.
It was a nice torrid game which it always is with Wynnum and I was really happy (with how we played) we did all our set plays and our structures, our defence was really strong and just the little things we worked on during the week after our loss (to Redcliffe) last week, we came up with today and I was really pleased with it, he said.
In team news, Lam has made one change to the Redcliffe team that were able to defeat the Tigers a fortnight ago with forward Nick Ritter returning to the side after serving a five-match suspension.
Dolphins Colts assistant coach Peter Robinson said the backrower had been training really hard, with his fitness up to the required level.
For the Tigers, Krause has kept faith with his victorious side and has named the same 17 to face the Dolphins; offering only this advice to the team.
Just enjoy it its an old clich, but not everyone gets to play in a grand final we arent going to get any faster, fitter or stronger this week if we can focus on what we need to do and not worry too much about Redcliffe, he said.
They are a great side, dont get me wrong; but (it is important that) we can just focus on ourselves and enjoy the week.
