WMRC hoping to see Gulls faithful cheer them on against Ipswich
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Wynnum Manly Redland City are hoping to draw inspiration from the red and green faithful when they meet Ipswich in the qualifying final on Sunday.
The Brisbane Rugby League fixture is first on the card at BMD Kougari Oval which also features the Seagulls’ Colts and Intrust Super Cup sides.
“Hopefully we can get a few there for our game because I know it’ll spur the boys on a little bit,” coach Ron Troutman said.
Despite claiming the minor premiership, the Seagulls’ finished on a slightly sour note with a final-round 36-20 loss to Redcliffe.
“Our attitude was terrible last weekend to be honest. The boys were maybe thinking about the weeks to come,” Troutman said.
“Take nothing away from Redcliffe, they played well – they were way more enthusiastic than we were.”
Troutman hopes it flushed out any cobwebs ahead of their most important game of the season to date.
Ipswich and Wynnum Manly have split their two previous meetings this season – coincidentally the Jets are also coming off a final round loss at the hands of Easts.
Marshalled by skipper Mitch Moore at hooker, Wynnum Manly’s pack has been the cornerstone of their success, allowing a nippy backline to rack up the most points of any side in the competition.
None have been more lethal than jack-in-the-box custodian Mitchell Lollback.
Lollback, who joined the club from the Grafton Ghosts in the offseason, tops the BRL try scoring table with 17.
“He’s quiet-mannered sort of guy, but has been a really good find for us this year,” Troutman said.
“He’s got a knack of making blokes miss tackles – couldn’t really tell you how he does it though, but he just pops up in the right spot at the right time.”
The return of former North Queensland Cowboys representative Ben Cronin from injury has offset the absence of Matt Smith, who earned a mid-season Intrust Super Cup promotion.
But perhaps the most unheralded member of the playmaking trio is Chris Green.
“He’s been willing to be that bloke who gets pushed around a bit when guys drop back (from Cup), but he’s made that halfback spot his own,” Troutman said.
In other fixtures, Tapout Energy Stadium at Langlands Park will host an elimination double header on Saturday.
Redcliffe meet Gaters in the opening match at 4pm, followed by Easts’ clash with West Brisbane.
The Panthers have had a fairy tale run to the finals, only sneaking into the top six on the back of a 42-30 victory over Logan Brothers in the final round.
FINALS WEEK 1
Saturday, September 5
Elimination Final:
Redcliffe Dolphins v Gaters at Langlands Park, 4pm - LIVE STREAM
Elimination Final:
Easts Tigers v West Brisbane Panthers at Langlands Park, 6pm - LIVE STREAM
Sunday, September 6
Qualifying Final: Wynnum Manly Redland City v Ipswich Jets at BMD Kougari Oval, 11.15am
How the BRL finals system works:
Week 1 (Sept 5/6):
Game A: 1 v 2; Game B: 3 v 6; Game C: 4 v 5 (Losers Game B & C eliminated)
Week 2 (Sept 12/13):
Game D: Winner Game A v choice of Winner of Game B or Game C
Game E: Loser Game A v remaining Winner of Game B or Game C
Week 3 (Sept 19) - Grand Final:
Winner Game D v Winner Game E
