NORTHERN PRIDE v EASTS TIGERS
3.55pm, Sunday 28 September, Suncorp Stadium
Coverage from 3.30pm - Channel 9 / WIN / NBN
Referee: Clayton Sharpe
Head to head: Pride 11 Easts 5
Head-to-head finals: Pride 1 Easts 1
Live stream: qrl.com.au
Radio: ABC Grandstand
Last season it was the Mackay Cutters who brought the Intrust Super Cup trophy back to North Queensland – this year, it’s the Northern Pride’s chance to make it an NQ double.
A grand final success would be a much deserved reward for the Pride who have claimed back-to-back minor premierships.
Last year, they stunningly lost both their finals matches against Easts and the Cutters to wipe out all their good work from the preliminary rounds.
In 2014, they’ve taken the quick route to the grand final, finishing in top spot by a wide margin before beating the Tigers 8-7 in the major semi-final at Barlow Park a fortnight ago.
Easts went into last year’s decider as favourites to claim their first major title since 1991 but were swept away by the Cutters in a thrilling match with Mackay’s contingent of Cowboys contracted players outstanding.
On Sunday, the Tigers will run into a Pride lineup with four members who have played in the NRL this year for North Queensland – Ethan Lowe, Ben Spina, Ricky Thorby and Joel Riethmuller – plus two other Cowboys NRL squad members in Javid Bowen and Hezron Murgha.
Easts’ lineup contains two ex-Cowboys – forwards Dane Hogan and Felise Kaufusi.
