The Redcliffe Dolphins and Easts Tigers will battle it out in the Queensland Intrust Super Cup grand final on Sunday at Suncorp Stadium.
Minor premiers Redcliffe are the slight favourites, but Easts have been in great form over the second half of the season.
The Tigers recovered from a slow start to the year to finish fifth, and they’ve since won three knockout finals in a row, against the Northern Pride, the Ipswich Jets and the Burleigh Bears, to secure their spot in the decider.
Redcliffe were far more consistent throughout the season to finish on top of the ladder. They then won their major semi-final against Burleigh to book their grand final spot. This weekend’s match will only be their second in the last four weeks, so they should be very fresh.
Easts are a feeder club to the Melbourne Storm, and have named Storm-contracted players Scott Drinkwater, Billy Walters, Patrick Kaufusi and Sam Kasiano in their grand final squad, as well as former South Sydney prop Dave Tyrell.
Redcliffe are a feeder club to the Broncos, with their squad featuring Kotoni Staggs, Tom Opacic and Jake Turpin, who have all played in the NRL at different stages this year. They are coached by former Canberra Raider and Queensland State of Origin winger Adam Mogg.
The teams have met twice this season, with the Dolphins winning both encounters. The first was a 32-16 victory in April, followed by a hard-fought 16-14 win in July.
Redcliffe will be looking to win the ninth first-grade premiership this weekend, having won five Queensland Cups to go with their three grand final victories in the pre-Queensland Cup/Brisbane Rugby League (BRL) era. Their last title was in 2006.
The Tigers have never won the Queensland Cup, but won eight premierships in the BRL era. Their most recent title was way back in 1991.
Whichever team wins this weekend will head to Sydney to play in the State Championship on NRL grand final day against the winner of this weekend’s New South Wales Cup grand final between the Newtown Jets and Canterbury.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I think this is the first all old BRL club grandfinal since the state championship game was brought in on the NRL grand final day. I think the Dolphins will get up, will be a great game, can't wait.
buttery
Roar Rookie
Don't just talk about NRL contracted players, both teams have players who could have played NRL if given the chance, one player who will have a big bearing on this game is the East hooker, Tommy Butterfield, his service from dummy half is first class as he makes sure he runs his forwards & supplies quality ball to his halves, plus he locks up the middle with his defence. This will be a quality Grand Final, it's just a pity that Ch9 have said that if it goes into extra time, they will move it to Gem, thereby stuffing up everyone who has recorded the game.
Nat
Roar Guru
Both teams have been very good to watch in the latter half of the season. Easts have been Storm-like in their execution in the last few weeks and with Billy (Walters) coming back from injury, he was immense last week but Vete was a h as well. Pat Kaufusi was huge as well. Drinkwater, Seve, Bond - yeah, Melbourne will be alright for a while to come. For the Dolphins I really like Turpin, he is a cracker backup hooker for the Broncos to have. To think Staggs and Opacic were both Broncos centers at one time this season (against Souths I think?) Cullen in the halves, I'm surprised he hasn't had no NRL opportunity. I think Easts have it in the forwards while (maybe) Redcliffe out wide. I'll be there as a neutral just to enjoy the Melbourne v Brisbane next gen.