The Burleigh Bears, a month removed from their Cyril Connell Cup premiership, have added the Mal Meninga Cup (Presented by Ford) to their trophy cabinet, outlasting the Redcliffe Dolphins in a blockbuster Grand Final which included two halves of Golden Point.
Coming into the match, the Dolphins and Bears were slated with equal chances of victory, though the Bears’ side entered the game notably more experienced, having been defeated in the Grand Final last year.
It would be the Dolphins striking first through centre Seth Carpenter, racing out to a 4-nil lead after five minutes.
Despite the early try, the first half points would remain static after Carpenter’s four-pointer, with both defences showing great resilience on their own lines, neither the Dolphins nor Bears giving an inch.
As both teams took to the pitch for the second half, the energy in the stadium remained rather pedestrian following a gritty defensive display in the opening thirty-five minutes.
However, a double for Bears’ winger Disharne Tohini within five minutes would bring Kayo Stadium back to life, with the Bears pushing their noses in front 8-4.
After a much-needed return serve from Dolphins’ winger Callum Bowles, scores would be level once more at 8-a-piece, as gale force winds proved a major headache for conversation takers on both teams.
Another unsuccessful conversion attempt following a brilliant try finished by Hayden Watson would be rectified with a penalty goal taken with five minutes left, putting the Bears up six-points – a likely death knell for the Dolphins considering the conditions.
However, in the final play of regular time, crafty hooker Braelan Marsh would scoot over from dummy-half, reducing the deficit by two and passing the onus on to fullback Reeco Kirk, who had the most important conversion of his career ahead of him.
As the full-time siren rung out, a pin drop could be heard in the stadium as Kirk settled himself for the do-or-die kick.
Composed, Kirk stepped up and laced the Steeden.
With the ball starting it’s trajectory appearing to be flying over the black dot, it became caught in the left-to-right wind, straying right and smashing the inside of the right-upright, falling just over the crossbar and levelling the scores 14-14.
Thankfully for fans, and unthankfully for the players – the bona-fide horror movie would continue providing drama after regulation time had finished.
As both sides dealt blows to one another, the final set of the first extra-time would result in a penalty for the Bears, fourty metres out from the Dolphins try-line and ten metres in from the right touchline.
Hayden Watson struck the ball clean as a whistle, with the ball’s trajectory once again slated for success, before being caught in the wind and leathering the right up-right once more.
This time however, the ball ricocheted away from the crossbar, hitting the ground and being desperately thrown over touch by the Dolphins.
Second extra-time it is.
With fatigue well and truly setting in for both teams, a game winning play beckoned for those willing to grab the moment.
In steps Tupou Francis.
Player of the Match in the Cyril Connell Cup Grand Final, the sixteen-year-old had already been one of Burleigh’s best so far this match.
As everyone in attendance braced themselves for a field-goal finish, Francis caught the ball on his own fourty-metre line, bouncing off his right foot he upset the balance of his defender.
Only needing a modicum of space, Francis shrugged off his opposing man – breaking the line as Kayo Stadium erupted in pandemonium.
Burleigh Lock, Anton Whaiapu followed up in support as Francis approached Redcliffe’s fullback - and a successful draw and pass would see Whaiapu cross the line for the match-winning try.
Burleigh were crowned victors 18-14, as they completed the double of the Cyril Connell and Mal Meninga Cup in truly cinematic fashion.
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