Amid the controversy of Fairfield's shock choice not to promote, both the Stallions and the Bulls were hard at work preparing for the showpiece of Division Two- the second Grand Final in the division's short history.
Brisbane Bulls Fairfield Stallions
1 John Hopoate 1 Aaron Mercer
2 Wayne Pryce 2 Phillipe Bernat-Salles
3 Shannon Hegarty 3 Steve Bell
4 Willie Talau 4 Danny Bampton
5 Fifita Moala 5 Rupeni Caucaunibuca
6 Preston Campbell © 6 Matt Crowther
7 Paul Green 7 Martin Crompton
8 Tomas Larsson 8 Matt Kennedy
9 Kandy Tamer 9 Aaron Raper
10 Sean Ryan 10 Michael Korkidas
11 Phil Waugh 11 Danny Sculthorpe
12 Brad Thorne 12 Tony Price ©
13 Scott Prince 13 Scott Magro
++Interchange
14 David Westley 14 Shayne McMenemy
15 Adam Mogg 15 Jarod O'Doherty
16 Willie Poching 16 Darrell Trindall
17 Wayne Bartrim 17 Laurent Carrasco
Fairfield got things underway, and found themselves under immediate pressure as the halves pairing of Paul Green and Preston Campbell found easy metres courtesy of short balls to their big men.
The crowd, building in anticipating of the Gold Coast vs. Wellington Grand Final, were treated to some big hits as the likes of Waugh and Thorne bashed Tony Price and Matt Kennedy from Fairfield. Indeed, Brisbane were the dominant side as the game began, with only Fairfield's star studded backline keeping them in the game.
It took seven minutes for the year's first grand final try, and it came on the back of Brisbane's forward domination. Phil Waugh powered over Aaron Raper and embarked on a damaging forty metre run downfield before he was met by Caucaunibuca. The tackle only delayed the inevitable however, as Willie Talau took advantage of a simple overlap to score. Preston Campbell continued his good form with the boot to make it 6-0 early on.
Fairfield make a shaky hit-back, with Phillipe Bernat-Salles making a scintillating sideline bust in his final game of Rugby League. The pacey Frenchman's run was ended, however, by John Hopoate who bundled him into touch. Phil Waugh was again dominant in the follow up set- another clean bust putting Brisbane immediately on the attack. A short pass from Paul Green was all Tomas Larsson needed- the big German crashing over from six out. Campbell converted, and the partisan Sydney crowd were in shock as their side trailed 12-0.
Brisbane didn't relent as the game wound on, but Fairfield's inexperienced side seemed to lift as the game wound on and the fans got behind them. Captain, Tony Price, was inspirational- whilst Bernat-Salles' nightmare final game continued as he blew Fairfield's first chance of the game- dropping a grubber with the line open. Fairfield's poor discipline also gave away a mountain of penalties, and Paul Green made them pay by making easy metres with the kick.
Even without the ball in hand, the Bulls were able to dominate the Stallions. Nothing compares to finals experience, and Brisbane drew on this to repel repeated assaults late in the half. In particular the likes of Waugh, Thorne, and Bartrim stood up to the no-frills running of their opposition. Halftime sounded, and Brisbane would have been disappointed to only lead by 12-0 after a dominant first half.
HALFTIME: Brisbane 12 lead Fairfield 0
The first play of the second half says so much about a side's attitude- in which case, Fairfield were gone. Scott Magro was driven back in a powerful tackle from the kick-off, and stupidly offloaded blind. The ball rolled into touch, and Fairfield's hopes of a solid start were dashed. To their credit, the third placed side defended grimly, and that's all that kept them in contention. In attack they were shallow and messy- the likes of Scott Magro and Bernat-Salles continually making stupid errors.
However, the 46th minute heard a roar from the gathering crowd as Rupeni Caucaunibuca cast aside Shannon Hegarty and raced fifty metres to score Fairfield's opening try. Shockingly, the video referee ruled Caucaunibuca had been tackled, and the try was called back, much to the disgust of fans and players alike. The bust lifted Fairfield, and Shayne McMenemey emulated Rupeni's run a few minutes later. Time and time again the last line thwarted Fairfield, and they still couldn't get on the board.
Three consecutive penalties in the 50th to 52nd minute put Fairfield under intense pressure- and it soon told, Fifita Moala emulating Talau's opening try by getting outside his man and scoring a soft try. Campbell was, again, able to convert and it was 18-0 and looking grim. Coach Michael Magro must have been fuming over the disallowed try. What could have been 12-6 now read 18-0.
Poor stupidity is all that can describe Fairfield's defence from the kick-off. Once again the Stallions gave away three penalties, and had referee Bill Harrigan threatening to send someone off if they didn't get onside and stop niggling in the tackle. Preston Campbell took it upon himself to punish Fairfield- tapping the ball five out and stepping out of a lazy Bell tackle. He amazingly missed his easiest conversion of the night- but the 22-0 scoreline was beginning to look farcical.
Phil Waugh was back in the thick of things in the 60th minute- another big bust sending defenders flying like pins at a bowling alley. Waugh played like a man eager to prove he has what it takes for the Australian World Cup side- racing fifty metres before finding unlikely support from David Westley. The Islander menaced Aaron Mercer to score the sealing try. 28-0 with twenty to go. It now looked like records could tumble if Fairfield didn't ammend their defence and poor discipline.
A minute later, and another forward try to the Bulls. This time Sean Ryan went over from dummy half, after a grinding set of six punished the slow Fairfield defence. The try was again converted, and Fairfield fans were shaking their heads as they looked down the barrell of a 34-0 scoreline. However, some were muttering approval of Magro's decision not to promote, the side clearly wans't ready to compete with the big guns.
Fairfield had no chance, but it didn't stop them from lifting, albeit far too late. Scott Magro, the Division Two rookie of the year, was particularly dangerous as he suddenly found the form that saw him outplay far more well known locks all year. The defence of Brisbane maintained equal to the challenge, continually fighting back.
The final ten minutes devolved, as Fairfield players vented their frustration through blows against the Brisbane side. A particularly vicious brawl ensued in the 76th between Hopoate, Hegarty and Waugh from Brisbane and Trindall, Kennedy, and Caucaunibuca from the Stallions. Fans were on their feet as Rupeni laid out Hopoate with a big hay-maker, which landed the Capetown bound Fijian in the sin bin.
Fulltime sounded, and the cameras showed the Crusade players showing their appreciation of Brisbane's dominant performance. Fairfield left the field dejected and humbled, whilst Brisbane move into Premier League on the back of a season rivalling that of Central Coast's in 2002/2003.
FULLTIME
Brisbane 34
Willie Talau
Preston Campbell
Sean Ryan
Tomas Larsson
David Westley
Fifita Moala
Campbell 5/6
def.
Fairfield 0
Man of the Match: Phil Waugh
2 PoM Points: Fifita Moala
1 PoM Point: Preston Campbell
