Teams gear up for the finals run

Noosa’s Kearney at the ready.

Contributed

The forecast for tomorrow is for the sun to reappear, which is a good thing as both Reserve Grade and A Grade are at Caloundra where there is little cover.

The Colts team has a bye for the weekend and the women’s team plays the Caloundra side at 12.30pm as a precursor to the men’s games.

In the first game for the day, Caloundra and Noosa, in the Women’s competition, are locked in a battle for third and fourth.

Last week, some of the speedsters for the Noosa team were missing, but with the inclusion of Jessica Trumph and Tarryn Harrison in the second row to back up the already proven front row of Nolan, Vincent and Skiller, the forwards pack should be dominant.

In Reserve Grade, the Caloundra side is safely locked into fourth position and would find it difficult to challenge University for the third spot, whereas Noosa sit clearly on top. It will still be a tough day out for the Michael Phelan team, as Caloundra always presents a significant challenge at its home ground.

Phelan will be looking at club stalwarts, Robinson, Melville and Cogill to assert dominance early in the front row and Wilson Moore with his cohort Keith Strajner can be expected to cause some grief from their loose forward positions.

The A Grade tussle commences at 3.15pm and this is critical for the Caloundra team, locked in a battle with Caboolture for fourth place and entry into the finals. The gap between Caloundra and Caboolture is only four premiership points.

Caboolture has an easier run in by playing University this weekend, but Fraser Coast next weekend.

The Noosa boys can be assured Caloundra will be even more determined than usual.

Noosa does hold some significant trump cards. In the front row battle the combination of Kearney, Green and McNeil take on McGiffert, Hammond and Uasike from Caloundra and it must be said that the Noosa boys appear to have the weight of experience behind them.

In the second row, Caloundra have a proven combination of Cory Drennen and Dan Selby, but they will be coming up against Lorima Lawai and Stuart Gordon, fresh back from a recuperative break.

The back line battle is interesting. Beakey and Harrold can do a lot of damage if the loose forwards aren’t on top of them.

Out wide, “Devil” Forrest and his wingers, Aglio and Dianni, have really stepped up to the mark this year and the initial position of Noosa being limited with pace out wide has certainly been rectified.

The game is going to come down to whether or not Noosa is allowed to play its tried and proven pattern of football.

In spite of a significant stronger forward pack this year, Caloundra still opt for a game based on improvisation rather than a set pattern and this can sometimes cause troubles for Noosa.

It is a long haul down to Caloundra but the Noosa boys would appreciate any supporters.

For those keeping an eye on the other clashes, the University/Caboolture game will be a great indicator of how Caboolture is really travelling and the Fraser Coast/Nambour game should be a really interesting tussle.

Next week the Dolphins return home to play Gympie at Dolphin Oval for the final minor round clash. It will be a social day off the paddock at Noosa, with 10-year members being recognised as well as a sponsors’ function on the deck.