Canberra Raiders Cup Reserve Grade: Grand Final Preview

The Gungahlin Bulls are fighting for redemption after falling short in last year’s grand final loss, but the inform Bushies are hot on their tail and will hope to snatch the Premiership in the Canberra Raiders Cup Reserve Grade grand final.

The Bulls have dominated their opposition all year, remaining undefeated and securing the minor premiership which has seen them remain as the top of the table side and fly straight into the grand final.

It was business as usual for Gungahlin against Yass, locking in a steady 22-16 victory to send them straight into the last dance after another classy display.

The Bulls have attacking threats across the entire park and continue to prove they are a difficult team to stop.

Yass had a chance to salvage their season and use their lifeline against Tuggeranong, but they were knocked out in straight sets after an impressive 24-18 performance from the Bushies.

Tuggeranong showed they meant business, scoring first thanks to Christopher Hazell, but Yass were quick to reply and level the score with Ayden Pothan.  

The bushies took the lead before the break as Hazell completed his double in the 35th minute.

Yass tried to fight their way back into the battle, scoring two tries after halftime, but the Bushies ran away with it in the end with Zachary-Blake Carew scoring the game winner for Tuggeranong in the 67th minute to send them into the grand final.

The Bushies are plotting for a remarkable underdog story, climbing the ladder after stacking up five wins in a row, but the Bulls are on the hunt for redemption.

The stage is set for a blockbuster clash and the Bushies underdog story is in full swing as the last encounter between this pair was a blowout.

In their last match-up, Queanbeyan comfortably defeated Tuggeranong 52-4, meaning the Bushies need to level up if they’re any chance of snatching the Premiership.

Will the Bulls get their redemption, or will the Bushies write the perfect underdog story? This nailbiter is set to kick off at 1:40pm on Sunday at Seiffert Oval.

The Bulls’ Cody Smith is no stranger to the big stage and is a key player for Gungahlin after winning best and fairest in the competition this year.

Smith was apart of the sides two-point grand final loss last year, and says that winning this year is something they have strived for all season.

“It would mean a lot, we fell short last year, so we have prided ourselves on winning it this year,” Smith said.

Despite the Bulls comfortable 52-4 victory over the Bushies in their last match-up, Smith ensures his side will not underestimate Tuggeranong on Sunday when they meet again.

“We are expecting a harder game, they have a few key players back, we’ve been watching their last two finals games and they’ve been playing some quality football, so I think we are in for a big challenge,” Smith said.

Bushies forward Daniel Hickson acknowledges that Gungahlin will be a challenge to beat, but he believes his side can get the job done come Sunday.  

“The Bulls are good all over the park, we are going to have to be just as good everywhere, they have strike weapons from the middle all the way out to the backs,” Hickson said.

“As long as we shut everyone down and play our game, we will be good.”