Major chance as Brothers aim for NRRRL grand final

A FULL strength Marist Brothers will look to capitalise on home ground advantage when it hosts the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League major semi-final at Crozier Field in Lismore.

The match will be played on Saturday, September 6, with a win sending Brothers straight into the grand final the following Sunday.

They can only host the grand final if minor premiers Cudgen lose their semi-final at Ned Byrne Field in Kingscliff this weekend.

Brothers coach Darryl Butcher said hosting a major final would be significant for the club.

“It will be over 15 years since we’ve hosted a grand final qualifier, so it’s a big deal,” Butcher said.

“We want to put in our best performance and get the whole town of Lismore behind us.”

Brothers finished second in the regular season and were the only team to beat Cudgen.

The finals format has been changed after wet weather and postponed games extended the season. This year, Brothers and Cudgen advanced straight to the second week of finals, making the major semi-final a sudden death playoff.

“We don’t get a second bite at the cherry this year, but we’re just rolling with the punches,” Butcher said.

“The week off pretty much puts us back at full strength, though. We’ve had four or five guys out at every game for the last month, you have tough conversations trying to fit everyone in when they’re all available.

“I think we’ve got another gear in us and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Brothers were able to rest halfback Shallin Fuller in the lead-up to finals.

The side has experience through centre Mitchell Krause and hooker Paul O’Neill, who have played first grade since 2011.

Butcher said five-eighth Jye Davis, winger Ethan Mumford and forwards Jack Elmore and Nathan Stewart had added fresh energy to the team.

Second-rower Henry Lee was a standout in the Northern Rivers representative side this year, while lock Will Woolley and fullback Noah King have played at a higher level in Sydney.