QUALIFYING FINAL:
REDLANDS v ARANA: Sunday Aug 24 12.00noon at Brandon Pk
Last Encounter: 2003 Round 16: Redlands 48 def Arana 10
Head to Head 2001/3: Redlands 7 Arana 4
Last 3 Games: Redlands: Logan Bros L 10-16; bye; Easts W 52-12; Redcliffe W 28-12
Arana: Souths W 26-18; Logan Bros L 26-40; lof; bye; Redlands L 10-48
Arana will have great memories of the last time these two teams met at Brandon Park, the 2002 Grand Final, however they have been unable to defeat Redlands since, going down in their three clashes this season. Redlands were surprise losers to Logan Bros last Sunday and will want to make amends in this match, whilst the Panthers showed glimpses of a return to from against Souths, as they gradually get their players back from injury and illness. These tow sides always turn on entertaining football and this match should be no exception.
"The Computer" tips Redlands by 14.
ELIMINATION FINAL:
SOUTHS v REDCLIFFE: Sunday Aug 24 12.30pm at Dawson Pde
Last Encounter: 2003 Finals Wk 1: Souths 40 def Redcliffe 24
Head to Head 2001/3: Souths 5 Redcliffe 1 Drawn 3
Last 3 Games: Souths: Arana L 18-26; Redcliffe W 40-24; Norths W 32-10
Redcliffe: Easts W 14-12; Souths L 24-30; wof; Redlands L 12-28
Redcliffe put in a great first half to lead by 8 at the break in the clash between these two sides in Week 1 of the finals but Souths stormed home to win easily against a tiring and illness hit Dolphin outfit. Redcliffe should be in much better shape for this game after getting out of jail against the Tigers at Suncorp Stadium last Friday night and will want to atone for a somewhat lacklustre season to date by knocking out the Magpies who they have only beaten once in 9 previous outings. Souths played very controlled football against the Panthers on Sunday, not making a handling error till well into the second half, but will need to show a little more flair in attack to get through the tough Redcliffe defence. Could be a tight match, and given they have played 3 draws previously, extra time would not surprise!
"The Computer" tips Souths by 8.
LOGAN BROS: Bye
Easts, Norths, Centenary, and Holy Spirit have been eliminated.
