Victory entree for main prize

CLOSE STRUGGLE: Ipswich Rugby League heavyweights Goodna and Swifts are muscling up for big performances leading into the final series.

Claudia Baxter

A WIN this weekend will secure the President’s Cup, A-grade minor premiership and possibly club championship.

But the coaches of Goodna and Swifts, who clash on Sunday at Llewellyn Motors Field, already have eyes on the following weekend.

Whatever the result, the two teams will meet again a week later in the first round of semi-finals, the winner going straight into the grand final.

Only one point has separated the two sides at most the entire season, each losing just two games, with Goodna holding the advantage.

So Sunday’s result carries huge significance, you’d think. Not, it seems, in the coaches’ eyes.

“I know the minor premiership and President’s Cup are on the line but the weekend after is the main one,” Fowler said.

Fowler’s main concern might be the possibility of his players getting injured in the outing.

“I told them I want them to win the game, but I don’t want them to go out there and bash their heads against a wall,” he said.

Instead, Fowler wants his team to play “real smart and simple”, implying Goodna won’t be changing its approach whatever happens this weekend.

Swifts have reshuffled their cards to deal with the absence of playmakers Albert Talipeau and Wes Conlon, the former injured, the latter suspended for one week for a high tackle last weekend against Brothers.

Prop Saia Taufafele is also out with injury.

Finch is using the setbacks as a positive – the chance to run a final eye over hungry prospective squad members such as expected five-eighth replacement Faron Willet before the semi-finals.

“It gives a lot of the boys another week to show me they want to be part of the finals team,” Finch said.

Swifts have the fortune to welcome back Jaison Heke and Josh Seage while Amani Sami will be fitter in his second hit-out since returning.

“A loss makes it harder for me to drop blokes,” Finch said.

“A lot of other coaches would like to be in my position.”

Goodna welcomes back Andrew Walker and Nick Schloss but will be without injured winger Ben Seve.

Finch, like Fowler, will judge his team’s performance on its merit, rather than how much silverware was won.

“It is the same as what I say every weekend,” Finch said. “So long as they give me 100 per cent I’m happy.”