Griffith Dragons’ coach Liam Fogarty is wary of a fast-finishing Queensland University of Technology side in tonight’s University Rugby League Queensland grand final.
Being played at Davies Park, the Dragons go into the decider as minor premiers, but will have to pay close attention to the flying QUT Trouts.
The Trouts had an ordinary start to the season, but produced late in the preliminary rounds to nab third spot and finish with the best for-and-against record in the competition.
They franked that form with a 20-4 win over second-ranked Australian Catholic University in last week’s semi-final.
“We were looking shaky mid-year, but we have had some players back from injury and it has made a difference,” QUT coach Jamie Dowse said.
“We have been playing some good football lately and will be looking for the same tonight.”
The Dragons are well aware of the danger the Trouts pose.
Griffith have been the most consistent team all year and earned their grand final spot with a win over the University of Queensland last week.
But Fogarty has not been pleased with their full game, watching his team jump out to big leads before allowing opponents back into the match.
That could spell trouble tonight.
“Our second halves have been an issue and it is something we have been working on at training,” Fogarty said.
“And QUT have been a bit of a second half team.
“We need to make sure we are doing those ‘one percenters’ late in the game.”
The match will kick off at 7.30pm tonight (Wednesday, September 14), with the premiership and Player of the Year presentations to follow the match in the Souths Magpies Leagues Club.
