By Grant Hitzman
This is it. After 18 rounds of regular season competition, semi and preliminary finals, there is just one game left on the division 3 calendar for 2013.
And fittingly, it pits the two most dominant sides against each other in a blockbuster showdown for the title.
In a rematch of their captivating semi-final two weeks ago, Coomera and Beenleigh will fight it out for premiership glory this Saturday at Wynnum.
It is been an interesting journey to the decider for both teams.
Coomera have been the side to beat all year, rock solid defense and exceptional ball use at the core of their success.
Their defensive efforts are particularly remarkable, with no team able to score more than 80 points on them all season.
The Magpies tore through the competition in 2013 to finish minor premiers, only a single blemish on their record in round 10 against Pine Rivers.
Beenleigh’s path to the grand final hasn’t been as smooth as Coomera’s, but ominously, they appear to have rediscovered their best form at the business end of the season
After a cracking start to the year that saw them with just one loss after 11 rounds, the Buffaloes hit a rough patch in the middle of the season, suffering consecutive defeats to Pine Rivers and Logan.
A strong finish to the year, including a 119-point thrashing of Calamvale in the final week, handed them second spot on the ladder.
And while Coomera boast the competition’s best defense, Beenleigh are clearly the most dangerous offensive team. Their spearhead forward, Ashley Templar, booting 97 goals this season.
Tomorrow’s grand final will be a case of best defense vs best offense. The question will be who does it better.
After three consecutive losses to Coomera, Beenleigh will be desperate to break the duck in the most sensational circumstances to claim the top prize.
The Magpies will be just as hungry however, determined not to ruin a near perfect season by stumbling at the last hurdle.
The decider will kick-off tomorrow at 2:15pm at Kianawah Road, Wynnum. The reserves grand final will be contested between Coomera and the UQ Redlions at 11:30.
