The final round opened with eighth place (in the end I don't think it's fair to call them the wooden-spooners as they did finish ahead of Holy Spirit and Brighton who started the comp!) Slacks Creek hosting minor premiers Redlands. Redlands rested some of their representative players in the first half, but still managed to lead 10-0 at the break. Once they did get on however, Redlands kicked away to lead 20-0, but to Slacks Creek credit they dug deep and held them to 6 all for the rest of the match, with the final score 26-6 to the Parakeets. Congratulations to Shay and captain Trent who brought up their 100th game for the Lions in this game. It appears Slacks will not be fielding a team in the A's next year, but congratulations to the way they "stuck it out" this year, particularly the fine effort they put in in the last 6 games of the season
The early Sunday game, saw Easts take on Logan Bros in conditions that varied from bright sunshine to gusty rain. Logan Bros needed to win to ensure third postion, but despite a few scares early, steadied to lead 14-4 at the break. Two quick tries to the home team put the game beyond doubt, but Easts hung in there with the final score ending up 30-8 in Logan Bros favour.
The third match of the round was the most critical with Souths hosting Redcliffe to settle 5th spot on the ladder. Redcliffe suffered a severe blow before the game with the withdrawal of Joel and Chris J with injury, and the seemingly ever-present blustery conditions at Brandon Park seem to favour the home side. After a tight opening period, Souths opened the scoring in the 10th minute through a fine individual effort from Mase. Redcliffe were well in the game, but Souths were the ones taking their opportunities and when they scored from a neatly placed chip-kick , they seemed to be getting on top. When the Souths centre barged over from close to the line just before the break, the Magpies were looking comfortable at 14-0. Redcliffe knew they had to score first in the second half, and they did after only 3 minutes to be back in the game at 14-4. However a defensive lapse on the final tackle midway through the half saw Mase set up another try and at 20-4 the game was slipping out of the Dolphins grasp. Another superb effort from the Brisbane fullback set up the clinching try for the Magpies with 6 minutes remaining and the Magpies eventual 26-4 final score.
Redcliffe were extremely disappointed to miss out on the semis, particularly given their from of the last few weeks, and this will be the first year they have not made the grand final.
Earlier results had rendered the Arana/Centenary match meaningless in terms of the semi-final race, however it was a valuable hit-out before the semis for both teams. The game was played in appalling conditions, with frequent stops to wash mud out of players' eyes! The ball handling was reasonably good up to half-time but deteriorated after the break through a combination of the wet weather and jarring defence. The quality of the defence will please both coaches going into the semis, as many say defence wins finals.
Arana opened the scoring in the 5th minute with a fine try to Mitchell, who is getting back to top form following most of the season on the sideline. Five minutes later they were in again when Brendan spotted a gap from dummy-half, but that was to end the scoring for the first period. Arana again started the better in the second-half with Brendan again spotting a gap from dummy half and Alex T's conversion gave them a comfortable 14-0 break. Centenary responded well however and a converted try to Tim Mc backing up a great break from Matt M saw them back in contention at 14-6. "Little Bowie" brought the score even closer with 10 minutes remaining when he scored from dummy half to set up an enthralling finish to the game. Centenary threw everything at the Arana defence but it held for the homeside to win 14-10 in the lowest scoring match of the season.
By the minute:
5th min: Mitchell try; Arana 4-0
11th min: Brendan try; Arana 8-0 (HT)
34th min: Brendan try/Alex T conv; Arana 14-0
40th min: Centenary try/conv; Arana 14-6
50th min: Centenary try ;Arana 14-10 (FT)
The season ended with Redlands the minor premiers on 37 (of a maximum 46) points, with Arana on 35 and Logan Bros on 33 finishing in the top 3 to get the second chance in the semis. Centenary on 30 finished 4th and will meet Souths who finished on 25, one ahead of Redcliffe. Easts on 10 and Slacks Creek on 4 were the other two teams not to make the semis.
Brad T
25/8/2002
