Blumers Lawyers CRC Grand Final Preview

The Queanbeyan Blues and the Goulburn Workers Bulldogs will take to the field for the Blumers Lawyers Canberra Raiders Cup Grand Final this Sunday afternoon at Seiffert Oval.

The two teams have faced off twice this year, each winning their respective home game against the other in two high scoring matches.

After finishing the regular season as minor premiers, the Queanbeyan Blues enjoyed the week off after they sealed their passage to the Grand Final with a win over Tuggeranong a fortnight ago.

Blues captain Jake Wheeler says his team’s forward pack is to thank for their resurgence in 2019.

“The boys lay down a really good platform,” said Wheeler. “They are really aggressive and I think that’s what you need to get on the front foot.”

Wheeler said his team is “ready to go” in this weekend’s decider, knowing what his team needs to do to get the victory at their home ground.

“Goulburn’s got some good flair about them, we just have to shut them down and do us,” said Wheeler. “[Seiffert] is our home, it’s going to be a massive game.”

The Bulldogs will be looking to ride their confidence into the final after claiming big wins over the Queanbeyan Kangaroos and Tuggeranong Bushrangers in the semi final and preliminary final respectively.

Bulldogs second-rower Izzy Tittor believes that experience his side gained from their two sudden-death fixtures puts them in good stead for the Grand Final.

“Knowing that we’ve got two games, with Goulburn the more footy we play, the better we get,” said Tittor. “Hopefully, we’ve loaded up nicely for the grand final this week.”

Tittor said that the Bulldogs were focusing on starting the game well and putting early points on the board.

“We know that if we can get up 30-nil at half time you can usually win from there,” said Tittor. “The games where we get into these arm wrestles it’s a bit harder… we were the best defensive side so if we continue that we ‘ll be right.”

This isn’t the first match-up between the two sides, with them both facing off in the 2014 and 2015 grand finals, both won by the Queanbeyan Blues.

The Blues will be aiming for their fourth title in six years, while Goulburn are vying for their first title since 2009.

Canberra Raiders Cup Grand Finals - Sunday, September 8 at Seiffert Oval

Click here to watch the live streams

10:20am League Tag – West Belconnen v Goulburn Workers

11:40am Under 19s – Queanbeyan Blues v Goulburn Workers

1:10pm Reserve Grade – Queanbeyan Roos v West Belconnen Warriors

3:00pm First Grade – Queanbeyan Blues v Goulburn Workers