With the interest in second tier rugby league at a season high with the looming State Championship on NRL grand final day, here are a few thoughts on the season.
The Ipswich jets claimed their first title since joining the Queensland competition in 1982 with a 32-20 win over the minor premiers Townsville Blackhawks. In an entertaining clash in front of a healthy crowd of 8,086, the Jets kept a pro-Ipswich crowd happy very happy with a first title.
It seemed that Mother Nature was intent on keeping crowd numbers low, with an almighty downpour and storm during the FOGS Colts Challenge match around two hours before the big game’s kick off. But it was just a test of the resolve of the Queensland Cup fans as the sun came out just in time for the main game.
After the presentation of the 20 Year Anniversary Team, a piece of Rupert McCall wizardry and a rendition of the national anthem, the final was underway with a standard long kick off from Townsville.
It wasn’t long after that the first points of the game were scored to the Townsville Blackhawks, who took advantage of an Ipswich error in the first set to score in the second minute through Tom Humble on the right.
It didn’t look like Ipswich’s day as they put one of their famous short kick offs out on the full. Neville Costigan almost made them pay a double price from the penalty, but was held up.
The next section of the game was punctuated by some errors from both sides and some powerful running from the Townsville team, but somehow the final play went missing.
They were made to pay for that waste in the 18th minute as the Jets showed some of their potential with a typical sideways run. This led to a perfect pass to Marmin Barba, who sped down the left and while he couldn’t quite get to the try line an overhead pass to Dane Phillips sealed the Jets’ first and they took the lead 6-4.
Jets fans didn’t to have wait long for another as a great Ipswich kick chase put pressure on the Townsville fullback who did well to keep the ball in the field of play. However in his desperation not to go into touch with the ball, Hughes threw it back into play into the waiting arms of Marmin Barba. After a successful sideline conversion, the Jets led 12-4 after 21 minutes.
After another period of errors and penalties which could easily have been a combination of grand final nerves and a still saturated playing surface, Townsville took advantage of an Ipswich error 10 metres out from their line to score in the left corner. After the conversion hit the post, the Blackhawks still trailed by four points with just over 10 minutes to go in the first half.
Some more bad luck for the Jets was coming as they lost two of their key forwards in the minutes leading to half time, leaving their bench down to 15 for the rest of the game. The Jets could have been excused for shelving their famous lateral movement, especially close to their line, but being 10 metres out didn’t stop them throwing the ball around.
Just a few minutes before half time the Blackhawks were unlucky not to get a penalty from a swinging arm, instead the dropped ball handed Ipswich an opportunity they welcomed gladly as the Jets scored just seconds before the break. Carlin Anderson ran through the Townsville defence almost untouched to score on the left. A missed conversion from the try scorer left the half time score at 16-8.
After half time Ipswich doubled up just a few minutes later when they benefited from a penalty for a shoulder charge by Townsville, and the Valekapa try down the left extended the lead to 24-8 after 44 minutes.
After a run of penalties to the Blackhawks and a lot of possession and territory helped by Ipswich errors, Townsville pegged the Jets back with a try to Townsville fullback Jahrome Hughes after an incisive run after a standard backline movement.
The crucial conversion was made by Robert Lui and with the margin reduced to 10 points the momentum was singing towards the Blackhawks with 30 minutes to play. Ipswich started to look very tired and with the reduced interchange numbers the Blackhawks looked primed to take advantage.
Townsville had the best of the play of the next 10 minutes, although the video referee denied them a try.t. In the 73rd minute, Blackhawks’ pressure led to a try to Robert Lui after a great chip and chase. He converted his own try to set up a thrilling finish with just 6 points between the teams with seven minutes to go.
After a tense final few minutes, Ipswich added salt to the wounds in the dying seconds with a try to hooker Matt Parcell to seal their first title. Retiring Ipswich Keiron Lander got the ceremonial conversion after the siren to extend the final score to 32-20.
Despite the errors, understandable in the conditions, it was still a great spectacle and good example of what the Queensland Cup has to offer. While Ipswich celebrate their first title, there is a sense of inevitability that Townsville will also claim a title in the not too distant future.
For all Ipswich’s flair and attack, the best two players on the ground were the hard working forwards Rod Griffin and Billy McConachie, with the latter just pipping his teammate to the Duncan Hall Medal for the best player on the ground. Their almost unrecognisable jerseys covered in the mud was evidence of their hard work with the Jets’ reduced bench.
Ipswich will now take on the Newcastle Knights in the second State Championship on NRL grand final day, and based on their finals performances will be tough to beat. It will also give the entire rugby league community a sample of their attacking, ‘devil may care’ style that will hopefully catch on through the code and bring a fresh wave of attacking rugby league to the fans.
Ipswich 32 (Carlin Anderson, Marmin Barba, Nemani Valekapa, Dane Phillips, Matt Parcell, Keiron Lander tries; Carlin Anderson 2, Marmin Barba, Keiron Lander goals) def Townsville 20 (Jahrome Hughes, Zac Santo, Tom Humble, Robert Lui tries; Robert Lui 2 goals) at Suncorp Stadium
Final Teams
Townsville Blackhawks: 1. Jahrome Hughes 2. Zac Santo 3. Tom Humble 4. Mosese Pangai 5. Samsen O’Neill 6. Robert Lui 7. Michael Parker-Walshe 8. Glenn Hall 9. Anthony Mitchell 10. Daniel Beasley (c) 11. Rhyse Martin 12. Kelepi Tanginoa 13. Neville Costigan 15. Lorenzo Ma’afu 16. Chris McLean 18. Rhys Matsen 19. Ricky ThorbyIpswich Jets: 1. Carlin Anderson 2. Marmin Barba 3. Liam Capewell 4. Nemani Valekapa 5. Richard Pandia 6. Josh Cleeland 7. Dane Phillips 8. Josh Seage 9. Matt Parcell 10. Rod Griffin 11. Sam Martin 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Keiron Lander (c) 14. Landon Hayes 15. Kurtis Lingwoodock 16. Billy McConnachie 22. Fakahoko Teutau
Summary
It took about 60 minutes before you released there was only one referee on the park. While there’s an argument that the NRL is a much faster pace and needs two, the fast flowing game showed that two isn’t always better than one.
The QRL should do everything within their power to ensure every grand final is played at Suncorp, as the atmosphere was great, and hopefully they can attract more than 8,000 next season.
Channel Nine’s commentary and coverage of the season has been excellent, and the quality of the call team gives hope that there is a bright future ahead for league broadcasts on free to air.
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