REDLANDS v ARANA: Sunday Sept 22; 1.15pm at Brandon Pk
First Round: Arana 15 def Redlands 14 Second Round: Arana 24 def Redlands 23
Third Round (CT): Redlands 28 def Arana 10 Major Semi: Redlands 40 def Arana 0
Head to Head 2001/2: Redlands 4 Arana 3
Last 3 Games: Redlands: Arana W 40-0; Slacks Ck W 26-6; Redcliffe D 26-26
Arana: Centenary W 32-16; Redlands L 0-40; Logan Bros W 25-20
Well the "Big One" has arrived and it will be the two teams who between them have been at the top of the table for all but 3 weeks of the season who clash in the premiership decider at Brandon Park on Sunday afternoon. Redlands, a noted "big match" team, including 7 Brisbane representatives, will be firm favourites, having not been beaten in the five semi-final and trophy matches they have contested in the last 2 years, including a 40-0 mauling of Arana in the major semi-final only 2 weeks ago, and a solid 28-10 victory in this year's Chairmans Trophy. Arana however have the best record of any team against Redlands in the past 2 seasons, including 2 wins over the defending premiers this year (albeit by a single point on each occasion), and are the only team to go through this season without two consecutive losses.
Arana's form leading into the semis was not good, but they put in a gutsy performance against Logan Bros to win the qualifying final against most pundits' predictions, before their forgettable major semi performance. It looked as though that poor form had carried through to the preliminary final, when they trailled 16-4, but they then demonstrated the form that saw them lead the comp for the first half of the season to put on 28 unanswered points to set up a rematch with the Parakeets.
Redlands last loss was over 3 months ago (when they went down to Centenary 30-18) although only a last minute converted try saw them draw with Redcliffe in the second last round, and they were only narrow winners over Souths in Round 18 at the gound where the grand final will be played.
Redlands certainly deserve their favouritism, but if Arana can contain their traditional quick start, and improve their one-on-one defence, the Parakeets will not have things all their own way.
"The Computer" tips Redlands by 28.
May the best team win (particularly if it's the Panthers!!)
Brad T
18/9/2002
