GOLD Coast club Robina take a clean 2009 sheet against fierce rivals Beenleigh into the State Association division two grand final at Kianawah Road on Saturday. Yet Beenleigh coach, former Burleigh assistant Rob Martin, is far from fazed by what awaits his underdog Buffaloes in what he describes as the most intense of all division two derbys. “They’ve been the best side this season but, as you know, anything can happen in a grand final,” he said. Robina won the first match by 63 points at Beenleigh’s Dauth Park, then took the second clash at home at Scottsdale Drive by 22 points. Then it was on to the second semi-final where Robina, as minor premiers, took the clash by 34 points. But Martin said that final result was no way indicative of events on the day. “If you had seen our last game we had them at three-quarter time,” he said. “Injuries stuffed us and they ran over us in the last quarter. “But, yes, they’re a dangerous side and have a lot of good players.” They include forwards Ryan Weterings, Josh Murray and Jack Hewitt, who Martin considers is the danger man in the Roos’ line-up. “I rate him, he has killed us every time,” Martin said of the mobile, strong-marking half-forward. So far this season Weterings, formerly with Labrador and Surfers Paradise, has kicked 77 goals and Murray has booted 54. Martin feels that should his key forward Bryce Perry-Bolt gets among the majors, the Buffaloes will be half-way there. “If he kicks goals they we’re a big chance,” declared Martin. Beenleigh have plenty of motivation because they lost the 2008 second division grand final to Redcliffe and have 16 players from that side backing up on Saturday. Ironically, Beenleigh beat Robina by 64 points in last year’s preliminary final, so the Roos may also feel they have something to sort out. Asked what he believes are the strengths of the Buffaloes., Martin replied: “Our endeavour. My boys try very hard and they don’t give up. We’re certainly fit and the attitude is good.” Robina coach Peter Murray said the Roos had sufficient motivational material, away from the 2008 preliminary final loss. There is a personal issue involving former Roos, captain Troy Morris and ruckman Simon Devine, who walked out on the club after a dispute with officials and were cleared to Beenleigh. Murray stressed there is no way his players will be looking to get stuck into the former Roos, except on the scoreboard by playing good football. Murray agreed their semi-final win over the Buffaloes was a touch fortunate. “We were in trouble,” he said. “We were 17 points down but there were a lot of extenuating circumstances behind it and I thought we could not play any worse than we did.”
Beenleigh and Robina will also meet in the reserve grade Grand Final at 11.30am. This will be the third time these two teams have met this year, with one win each in the home and away rounds they have had different fortunes during the final series. Redcliffe defaeted Beenleigh in the Qualifying final with the Buffaloes bouncing back in the second semi defeating Kedron to once again meet Redcliffe in the Preliminary final. After disposing of the Tigers in this game they will now meet the Roos in the Grand Final.Robina on the other hand have had an easier run to this game,finishing on top of the ladder they had the first week off in the finals, they then defeated Redcliffe in the second semi to go straight into this Grand Final. With only two games in four weeks this will be interesting to see if they can get themselves up to take out this flag, and make it back to back premierships in this grade. This will be too close a game to predict a winner, I would lean a bit towards Beenleigh as the have been playing every week and should be match hardened.
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