Hastings Deering Colts grand final preview

Coach Q&A

It’s been 10 months of hard work and preparation to get this point. How does it feel to be one of the 2023 grand finalists?

Brisbane Tigers coach Mark Gliddon: I'm probably relieved, to be honest. It was a really long pre-season for us due to the fact we didn't start until late. We had to make it as enjoyable as possible so they didn't get unhappy. We made it fun all the way through, we've had a good time and it's worked. Now we get to play in the big dance so we're really, really pleased.

Townsville Blackhawks coach Roy Baira: It feels really good. The boys are really confident and really happy about it.

What would you say is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt this season?

Gliddon: Probably just keeping everything fun. At times in the past I've probably overcoached and took it too seriously. There's a time to be serious but also a time to have a good time. It's like when you go to work everyday. If you go to work and enjoy your job and have a good time, you go back. That's no different to football training. 

Baira: It's just learning relationships with the players and the boys. I've coached them a couple of years in a row too (through the age groups) so that's sort of helped me. Being in charge, there's a bit more pressure there because it's another level and somewhere I want to be. But I've really enjoyed it and enjoyed all the boys for the season.

When you look at your squad, how do you feel to know what you’ve achieved together?

Gliddon: I'm proud and pleased and relieved. I actually got quite emotional after the (preliminary final win) because I know how hard these guys have worked during the year to get to where they've got to and I know how much it means to them. Hopefully we can all be smiling after this weekend.

Baira: I feel real happy for them. They've learnt a bit more about footy and how to play senior footy at this level. I've seen them grow through the year. A lot of the boys are young. They were in the 18s last year through (Auswide Bank) Mal Meninga and being 19 this year, to see them grow and understand footy a little bit more, hopefully we are able to achieve something together on Sunday.

Mark, if the Tigers win on Sunday it will be the first Colts title for the club. What would that mean to the club as a whole?

Gliddon: It would mean everything. There are people who have been there long before I was and they're still there and still coming around and they remind you every five minutes that they want to win grand finals. I get that. It would be fantastic for the general Brisbane Tigers community.

Roy, Townsville are the Colts reigning premiers. What would it mean to the club to be the first team to go back-to-back at this level?

Baira: It would be outstanding for our region and coaching up there in the north. I'm a bit nervous about it too because there's a little bit of pressure within that and being successful as a club. But we're looking forward to the opportunity of playing hard and playing tough.

What are you expecting from your opposition on Sunday?

Gliddon: They're a real good footy team. They're well-coached. I'll give Roy a wrap, he's done a fantastic job with them. They throw a lot of shape at you. If we're not on defensively, it's going to be a tough afternoon for us. They have a big middle, they're nice and direct in the middle, and when they start winning the ruck, they go to their edges. When they go to their edges, they have some really good shape and really good players. Both their centres are dangerous there. Their fullback, Ragsy (Wavik), has been exceptional all year. He's a very good football player. So they're good right across the park. Their No.7 Zack Lamont is an old Tigers player and he goes quite well too.

Baira: Just that they'll play really well for 80 minutes. We've struggled throughout the year to do that. The back end of this season, we have improved. From our first loss in our first semi, I think we've learnt a lot. Losing that first semi (to the Tigers) we've grown. For us to beat Tweed last week, we gained a lot of confidence out of that and what we can do. We're looking to do that again this weekend. But the Tigers across the board are very strong. They're a really good group and have been together for a couple of years also. They're not going to give it up lightly.

What is that you need to do come Sunday?

Gliddon: We need to starve them of possession, complete our sets, be nice and clinical and defend really well. They're a good football team.

Baira: It's about playing for 80 minutes and playing for each other and understanding our jersey and what it means to play for the north, especially against the city boys. I've talked to them a little bit about that and the challenges we face up there are a little bit different. It's about embracing that and making sure we play as a team and play for long periods.

We’ve spoken about what this would mean to the club and the team, but what would a grand final win mean to you personally?

Gliddon: It would mean the world to me. I've been coaching a long time. I've won grand finals, I've lost grand finals. This is a special group. They're young and it makes me feel young. I'm old, I'm 55 and I'm hanging around 21-year-olds and I enjoy their company. It's about them. I'd be really pleased for these guys and I hope they get that opportunity.

Baira: It would be the main highlight of my coaching career. I've coached local and everything up there and even the rep footy for the men but this is another level above that, I believe. In the 18s, it hurt losing that one in the final last year. Winning this would mean a lot to me and my family and my partner and kids. Hopefully we do well.

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