TRL senior men’s teams gear up for first week of finals action

All three Dalby Diehards senior men’s teams will feature in Round 1 of the Toowoomba Rugby League finals this weekend – a rare feat for a one-club town.

Culture has never been an issue at Dalby but a decision to further strengthen the bonds between the junior and senior ranks has paid off this season.

“It’s an exciting time for the club having all three men’s teams in action in the finals,” Dalby Diehards A-grade coach Jason Connors said.

“Culture has never been a problem in the club, it’s always been very good, but we have worked hard this year on strengthening the ties between the juniors and seniors.

“Everyone is buying into our ‘one team, one town’ mantra and it’s paying off.

“From a football perspective our structure of play and systems are the same across all three grades.

“Having that structure helps strengthen the club and makes it easier for players to transition between the sides.”

Ahead of Week 1 of the TRL seniors finals here’s our look at the key players and challenges in each division.

A-grade

Wattles vs Warwick

Saturday August 26, 7pm, Platz Oval

Warwick: The Cowboys head into their elimination final the ‘healthiest they have been all season’ according to coach Col Speed.

“It’s a good selection headache to have,” Speed said.

“The biggest challenge we’ve had this season is consistency.

“We’ve had injuries, players out through injury, players away for work and personal commitments

“It’s a credit to the club that we’ve been able to manage to be competitive across the grades.

“Wattles are going to be tough – they never go away in game, they come at you from start to finish.

“There’s a lot of history and pride between the clubs and I have a lot of respect for (Wattles coach) Travis Burns.

“It’s not going to be easy but I think we’re a really good chance.”

Players to watch

Warwick

Lorenzo Ma’afu: An experienced competitor and natural leader.

Ma’afu is a true competitor and gives the Cowboys the drive forward they need to create space for their backline.

Byron Crieghton: When Crieghton is on his game – the Cowboys grow an extra leg.

Great around the ruck, Crieghton is has the skills to influence the game in attack and defence.

Joe Fuimaono: The Cowboys centre is physically imposing and he knows to ‘put on a hit’ in defence but there is more to him than sheer size.

Fuimaono has a great football mind, makes good decisions in attack and defence and has a great passing game.

Wattles

Matt Christensen: The fullback’s return comes at just the right time for the Warriors.

One of the competition’s best at the back Christensen carries form into the clash with four tries in his past two games.

Austin Jennings: You can’t coach speed and Jennings is one of TRL’s fastest in a competition full of speedsters.

If the lightning quick centre can find a seam to run through he more often than not turns it into a try.

Ty Gardner: After sitting out most of last season, the second rower’s return was a welcome one for Warriors.

The veteran second rower has taken the reins of a young Wattles team this season – expertly steering them on and off the field.

Gatton vs Dalby

Sunday August 27, 2.30pm, Cahill Park Sporting Complex

Gatton: The Hawks were rocked by the loss of veteran 5/8 Haydan Lipp last week.

Lipp’s 2023 season is over after the Gatton skipper tore his ACL in the final game of the regular season.

His loss is massive but Hawks coach John Flint is confident his team are ready for Dalby.

“There is opportunity here,” Flint said.

“Losing Haydan is a massive blow for the team but there’s a chance here for a few of our players to step up to fill the gap he leaves and I do believe we will see a few players do that.

“We will move Jake Self from lock into the halves and I know he has all the skills and experience to get the job done for us there.”

George Tevita was given the captain’s armband earlier this week and Flint believes the new role will energise the No.9.

“I think George will have a point to prove as the captain,” he said.

“He is a very proud man and he loves this team.

“He is a natural leader but being named captain, I think he lift his game to a new level.”

Players to watch

Gatton

Jake Self: A key player in recent weeks, Self will make the switch from lock to 5/8 in the absence of Haydan Lipp.

Self is a versatile, charismatic and skilled player – Gatton lose nothing with his move into the playmaking position.

Luke Self: The Hawks fullback has been a rock at the back all season.

He puts body on the line in attack and defence every game and organises the side well.

George Tevita: The inspirational hooker has been one of the Hawks best all season.

Expect him to lift his game to another level on and off the park after being handed the captain’s armband.

Dalby: Like nearly every TRL club – injuries have been the biggest hurdle the Diehards have battled this season.

With their place in the finals assured, Dalby took the opportunity to rest a few of its key players in preparation for their blockbuster clash.

“Gatton go into this as the favourites and deservedly so. They’ve been playing extremely well all season,” Dalby A-grade coach Jason Connors said.

“It will be tough, there’s no doubt about that, but we’re ready.

“It’ll take an 80-minute performance to get the job done.

“You have to play simple, mistake free footy, that is the key.

“The other thing we need to do is win the battle in the middle – we have to get the job done up the middle to give our backs the opportunity to do their job.”

Players to watch

Steven Franciscus: An experienced campaigner who knows what it takes to win the big games.

Franciscus’ no-nonsense game is ideally suited to finals football.

A great defender and level head in the middle of the park.

Xavier Manley: The Diehards have the talent outwide to torch most teams but they need the space to operate and Manley is the man that can provide it.

A hard-running, determined forward he can be relied to always do a job.

Chris Woodbridge: The competition’s leading point and try scorer has ripping opposition defences apart all season.

Woodbridge is quick, elusive and if finds a gap he can turn the chance into a length of the field try in the blink of an eye.

Reserve grade

Gatton vs Warwick

Saturday August 26, 5.15pm, Platz Oval

Warwick: The Cowboys have found their stride at just the right the time.

With a number players returning from injury in recent weeks and others stepping back into the side after A-grade stints Warwick are ready.

“They (Gatton) are a big side and have been a challenge this season,” Cowboys coach Sam Williamson said.

Players to watch

Joe Wagner: Has played at hooker this season but a recent shift to fullback has paid dividends for the team.

Wagner is elusive and hard to read in attack and steps up in defence.

He is the x-factor every coach wants in their side at finals time.

Dylan Lippi: On his day the crafty halfback is one of the best in the division.

He expertly steers his side around the park.

Off the boot Lippi has the skills to pile pressure on the opposition and kick his team out of trouble when needed.

Sam Ruamati: The hard running front row loves to tuck the ball under his arm and drive into the line.

Ruamati is reliable ‘metre eater’ who is hitting his straps and is capable of rattling opposition runners in defence.

Dalby vs Valleys

Sunday August 27, 6.30pm, Cahill Sporting Complex

Dalby Diehards finished just a point behind minor premiers Wattles in what was a thrilling Reserve grade season

Valleys finished a further four points back in third place.

The one match between the two sides earlier this year was called off after a player was injured on the field and could not be moved for safety reasons.

Under-19 Men

Wattles vs Goondiwindi

Saturday August 26, 3.45pm, Platz Oval

Players to watch

John Lazzaroni: The captain is a hard-running prop who never backs down from a challenge.

When Lazzaroni is on song, making metres down the middle, the team is on song.

His partnership with fellow prop Lane Eastwell is one of the best in the competition.

Aiden Suhan: The competition’s second highest try and points scorer this season is an attacking threat capable of turning a game in the blink of an eye.

The young centre is a real x-factor and will be key to Wattles hopes as they eye a premiership win.

Lane Eastwell: Back in the side after a few weeks out, Wattles officials will be hoping he picks up where he left off.

Eastwell and fellow prop John Lazzaroni are ‘1-2 punch’ that few teams have been able to contain.

Eastwell’s big runs make the room for Wattles backs to play at their best.

Highfields vs Dalby

Sunday August 27, 11.15am, Cahill Sporting Complex

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Points differential was all that separated Dalby and Highfields this season.

Second placed Dalby finished the regular season with 28 points and a +444 difference after scoring more and conceeeding less than Highfields.

*Some clubs were not able to be reached before publication deadline.

Originally published as TRL senior men’s teams gear up for first week of finals action