Mounties (2) Vs The Entrance Tigers (4)
Allianz Stadium, Sunday, September 28
Kick-off: 12.40pm
Referee: Adam Cassidy
Broadcast: LIVE on Fox Sports 1 and Sky Sport NZ
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of Hawkesbury Radio 89.9FM (Link available via www.hawkesburyradio.com.au)
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of Steele Sports Radio (Link available via www.steelesports.com.au)
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of 2GLF FM 89.3 (Link available via 893fm.com.au)
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of Triple H FM (Link available via www.triplehfm.com.au/hhh)
MOUNTIES - 1. THEO LEATO 2. GUS AIGA 3. WAYNE DARGAN 4. DAVE CAHALANE 5. FRANCIS VAIOTU 6. MATT PLACE 7. JOEY BOND 8. UITI BAKER 9. BRETT LAHEY 10. ADAM TANGATA © 11. BRADY CHESHIRE 12. KURT HORTON 13. JACOB MAYER 14. TERE GLASSIE 15. FRED PAKUTOA 16. MITCH BEGGS 17. GRANT LAHEY 18. CHAD GRANT 19. JASON GREEN 20. BRENDAN NEWTON 21. LOUIS VAIOTU 22. JASON ANTONELLI COACH: CHRIS HUTCHISON
TIGERS – 1. GRANT NELSON 2. DAVID O’NEIL 3. ALAN MULIA MALAU 4. BRAD CHATFIELD 5. PERRY LEBROCQUE 6. ADAM MCINNES 7. JAKE FITZPATRICK 8. RYAN O’HARA 9. SCOTT JONES 10. LUKE MCINNES 11. HARLEY RIDGE 12. ALAN MUNRO 21. TROY ADAMS 14. TYLA HEPI 16. JACOB SAIFITI 17. SAM FIONI 18. RYAN JOWETT 19. DYLAN THEUERJAHR 20. BLAKE INWOOD 22. NATHAN MCCARTIN 23. MATT HARDES COACH: JAMY FORBES
Summary: The Entrance Tigers will be looking to claim their first Ron Massey Cup title since 2007 (formerly the Jim Beam Cup) while Mounties are out to claim their first title ever after being the bridesmaids on a number of occasions in recent seasons. Both of these teams will like their respective chances given their good recent form. Mounties knocked off Asquith 22-10 back in week one of the finals to earn themselves a week off and then completely dominated the Minor Premiers in Wentworthville to the tune of 34-0 to claim their place in the Grand Final. The Tigers also defeated Wenty 46-20 back in week one and then were far too classy for Asquith last weekend, winning 40-12. The Tigers have actually won four of their last five since a round 19 loss to Mounties while their opposition has won four in a row and five of their last six. Both of these sides are littered with talent and will undoubtedly put on a show for those in attendance. The Tigers have a nice balance of experience and youth with the likes of former NSW Blues enforcer Ryan O’Hara leading the way up front and excitement machine and former Wyong Roo Allen Mulia Malau doing plenty of damage out wide. Others such as Scott Jones and Alan Munro have been long time servants for the Tigers, and with The Entrance unlikely to field a side in next year’s competition, a win here would be a fitting way for them to go out. For Mounties, they have the ability to score points from all areas of the field, and this was the case for most of the season as they averaged a tick over 31 points a game. Players like Dargan, Leato and Bond have speed to burn and will need to be watched closely while their pack also has plenty of punch with Tangata and Baker forming a formidable set of bookends. These two sides split their season meetings in 2014 with the home sides successful on both occasions and both times the game was in the balance right down to the final minutes. Both of these clubs have been ultra-consistent in this competition for some time now so either way, someone is in line to be rewarded for their ongoing determination.
2014 Head to Head Results:
The Entrance Tigers 12 def. Mounties 11 at EDSACC Oval (Round 8)
Mounties 24 def. The Entrance Tigers 12 at Mt Pritchard Sports Complex (Round 19)
Mounties leading try scorer 2014 – Theo Leato (16 tries)
Tigers leading try scorer 2014 – Allen Mulia Malau (19 tries)
Prediction: Leaning ever so slightly towards Mounties but a win to the Tigers would not come as a shock. Mounties by 7.
Make sure you are following @NSWRL on twitter and monitoring the #RMCupGF hashtag on Sunday for all the latest Grand Final news and score updates.
Click here to see what the Captains had to say at Monday’s media call
Here is a recap of last weekend’s scores and scorers
Click here to view the entire match highlight’s from last weekend’s games
