Dragons getting into finals mode
Defending premiers Sunnybank will be primed for another demolition derby in the run-up to the Trinity Queensland Premier Rugby finals, with a last round hit-out against University.
With all their Wallaby and QR Reds stars on deck the Dragons tuned up for the finals last week by crushing a handy Sunshine Coast side 73-14 to give them the best attacking record in the competition (560 points scored). In University they face the team with the worst defensive record (536 conceded).
In 2007 the Dragons launched their successful assault on the finals from the sudden death third place and will need to do the same again this year if they get past University.
The match will mark the 100th game for Sunnybank's John Dart and will also be the winner-takes-all last challenge of the year for The Caxton Cup.
Sunnybank’s semi-final opponents will be GPS if the Gallopers can get past Wests in the annual Hammond-Taylor Challenge at Yoku Road.
Wests may be this year's wooden spooners but the return of Wallaby Hugh McMeniman alongside fellow QR Reds Poutasi Luafutu and Scott Higginbotham in the backrow will give them their best forward lineup of the season.
Minor Premiers and Horsley Cup winners Brothers will host the fifth placed Gold Coast Breakers, who need to win and have either Sunnybank or GPS lose to make the finals.
Easts will pay tribute to the international career of Andrew Walker with a post-match presentation when they host Norths at Bottomley Park. After successive losses the second placed Tigers will be chasing a win to set themselves up for the Major Semi-Final on Sunday week against Brothers at Ballymore.
The other game of the weekend is between Souths and the Sunshine Coast at Chipsy Wood, with the much improved Stingrays wanting to end their year on a high after last week's disappointing result against Sunnybank.
Trinity Queensland Premier Rugby Round 18, Saturday July 26
GPS v Wests - Yoku Rd 3:00pm
Easts v Norths - Bottomley 3:00pm
Brothers v Gold Coast - Crosby Park 3:00pm
Souths v Sunshine Coast - Chipsy Wood 3:15pm
Sunnybank v University - Oldmac Oval 4:30 pm
