The bonus inclusion of Josh Flook has given Brothers the chance to blunt Bond University’s biggest backline weapon in the StoreLocal Hospital Cup grand final.
Sunday’s climax to the club season at Ballymore Stadium has taken an intriguing twist with two big “ins” from the Wallabies squad.
Flook will pair with Reds teammate Dre Pakeho in the centres as the Brethren chase a rare hat-trick of premierships from 2:45pm.
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“I’m super keen to playing my first grand final,” Flook said.
“It’s good to have Dre beside me and to connect at training with the likes of (backline reserves) Henry Smith and Bas Hanna who I’ve known since Grade Five at Nudgee College. To be playing footy with them again in a grand final is surreal.
“Bond are on a streak and they've played their best two games of the season in the finals so we know they’ll be very tough to beat.”
The upside for Bond University is in the forwards where new Queensland Reds prop Aidan Ross has been included upon his return from Wallabies squad duty in South Africa.
The influence that Bull Sharks inside centre Tyler Campbell has on his side is well known.
His strong running and ability to stay on his feet when driving ahead through tackles is a key ingredient to his team’s go-forward in midfield.
At least on paper, the Brethren have the men to blunt his progress with Pakeho and Flook both stout defenders with a good understanding.
The grand final is a shake-up on the titanic Brothers vs Wests duels of 2023 and 2024.
It shapes as a contest just as riveting with different characters in the spotlight.
Certainly, the Bull Sharks pack has added some teeth in recent weeks. Reds hooker George Blake and Ross will stiffen the scrummaging beside the experienced Rhys Sherriff.
The presence of 2024 Wallabies lock Josh Canham is huge because he is one of the best lineout exponents in the country, whether winning ball like a basketballer on stilts or pinching opposition throws.
Coach Mick Heenan is a master operator in clubland. He already has six titles in his resume from his years with University of Queensland.
He knows how different grand final weeks are and that you spend energy in the right areas.
“Last year, I told the players we were a good highlights-reel side…we’d score some great tries but it was all too easy for our opponents to score when games were in the balance,” Heenan said.
“It wasn’t a great start to this year with three losses but we knew we had the side. It just took a while for the penny to drop.
“After Wests put 60 on us in June (a 62-12 loss on the Gold Coast) we had an honest review.
“We’ve muscled up since then and our defence has really improved. It was great against Wests in the semi (34-0). Our belief has come along with it.”
Heenan had a good chuckle when he heard Brothers had try to grab underdog status.
“Haha. The front of (former Brothers President) Hans Pearson to try to claim underdog status,” Heenan said with a laugh.
“Brothers are a club most others try to be with their success.”
Heenan was honest about his thoughts on Bond University when looking on from the outside as UQ coach.
“I always thought the Bond guys were pretty lairy,” Heenan said with a grin.
Since joining as coach last year, he realises all that is put in at the club.
“I’d never met Tyler Campbell before I turned up at the club. I quickly realised how much he works and how much he encourages the players around him. He’s brilliant for this team,” Heenan said.
Centre partner Dan Boardman is a skilled quiet achiever by comparison but just as integral.
Being a previous coach of a “University club” had Heenan well prepared for the whacky reasons he might receive from a player for missing training or a game.
“I’ve been at this a long time so hearing 'Can't be at training, I have a photo-shoot in Bali' was pretty good. But, I’ve never had an excuse as good as from Rocco Gollings for missing the semi-final,” Heenan chuckled.
Fullback Gollings said he had to miss the knockout semi-final because he needed to attend the Miss Universe Australia contest in Perth. Fair play.
He made up for his absence last Sunday with the brilliant 60m break from his own quarter to set-up the Zane Misios try that put the Bull Sharks ahead 14-0 in the fifth minute.
Brothers coach Ben McCormack will enjoy the classy touches that Reds trio Flook, Pakeho and fullback Tim Ryan will add to the backline.
He is also wise enough to know grand finals are won in the forwards just as they were when the last Brothers side to win a three-peat dominated with five straight premierships between 1980-84.
Lock Will Wilson, backrower Brad Hemopo, flanker Noah Nielsen, reserve hooker Dom Fraser and lock Hamish Muller are all in the pack and all are shooting for a third straight title.
“Will Wilson is absolutely integral. He’s the backbone of the group,” McCormack said.
“When you watch him run, you wonder if he has the required athleticism.
“The reality is being amazed he plays at the level he does. Someone running hard off a tap or a set play and it’s often Will making the tackle.
“He plays 80 minutes every week. He’s not telling blokes what to do, he’s showing them.”
The Brethren know how to win the big ones. On grand final day, that’s gold and why the level of challenge from Heenan's Bond University is the great unknown that makes this decider so fascinating.
