EASTS TIGERS v MACKAY CUTTERS
North Ipswich Reserve on Sunday, September 29 3.50pm
Broadcast: Live on Channel 9 and ABC Radio Grandstand
Livestream: http://www.qrl.com.au/default.aspx?s=live-stream
Referee: Clayton Sharpe
Head to Head: Easts Tigers 7, Mackay Cutters 6
Head-to-Head Finals: Easts Tigers 1, Mackay Cutters 0
CUP Grand Final Experience: Easts: Played 2 Won 0; Mackay: Played 0
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #CUPGF #TIGESvMC #tigerland #carnthecutters
The time is upon the Easts Tigers and Mackay Cutters to see who will come out of this Sundays grand final decider as the champion team of 2013. Whoever wins will be the 9th different premier in 10 years with only Wynnum Manly (2011-2012) able to win back-to-back titles since Redcliffe in 2002-2003. Mackay who are playing in their first ever Cup final will hope their winning momentum can see them claim the silverware in their first attempt. Easts however, will hope it is third time lucky for them after losing their two previous grand final deciders. As a former a high-performance manager with the Melbourne Storm (who have a feeder club relationship with Easts); Cutters mentor Kim Williams has seen a number of his teams opposition up close and is happy to use his knowledge against them. (Mahe Fonua and Ben Hampton) are real keys for them, Fonua in particular, he told Mackays Daily Mercury. I know enough about them to know their strengths and weaknesses, so we'll try to exploit the weaknesses where we can, and we'll have to try to minimise the impact of their strengths. Williams has named an extended bench, with big forward Jason Schirnack expected to be included in the final 17 after serving a two match suspension. The match will be David Milnes last game with the club with the winger to play his 41st game for Mackay and his 75th Cup game overall. Easts skipper Steven Thorpe who won the Colts title with the Tigers in 2009 has singled out North Queensland Cowboys forward Jason Taumalolo as a player they must stop. With a bloke that size, if you let him get his confidence up early and you let him run the ball he could do some damage, Thorpe told the Tigers website. Mackays very good up the middle and then they shift (the ball) well. Easts coach Craig Ingebrigtsen has boosted his forwards for the match with Dane Hogan, Lagi Seti and Liam McDonald added to the side.
