One thing is for sure at the Bendigo Bank Cairns District Rugby League A-Grade Grand Final at Barlow Park this Sunday – either Kangaroos or Southern Suburbs will end a long premiership drought.

You have to go back to 1987 when the Roos last won an A-Grade Grand Final, when they beat the now-defunct Babinda Colts 41-18 in the final.

Suburbs were victors more recently, but you still have to rewind 16 years to their last triumph, when they beat Brothers 20-12.

Both sides have had opportunities to end their barren run in recent years, with the Roos losing Grand Finals in 2000, 2008 and 2010, and Suburbs in 1996, 2003, and 2011. But Roos coach, Michael White, is leaving no stone unturned in his bid to end his side’s drought this year, bringing in former Roos players who have tasted Grand Final success, including legendary halfback, Peter Lazarus.

Lazarus, who was named in the FNQ Team of the Century, was part of the dominant Kangaroos side which won eight premierships in 10 seasons between 1968 and 1978.

“Ending the club’s drought is something we’ve spoken about, and the boys have really benefited from listening to people from past eras,” said White.

“It’s about understanding the expectation, but we don’t want to play the game in our minds. There will understandably be a few nerves flying around, but it’s about finding the right balance and channeling those nerves into a good performance.”

Roos have beaten Suburbs twice in the past four weeks, after winning the minor premiership decider in Round 22 and then triumphing again in their semi-final clash in the second week of the finals.

But White says the past two encounters between the two sides don’t count for anything on Sunday.

“I’ve told the boys to try and keep their minds on the things they’ve been doing all year, and not to fall into the trap of thinking we’ve beaten them twice, so we should beat them again,” said White.

“Suburbs are a very good side, led by their forwards off the back of Singo (Gold Medal nominee Steve Singleton), and we’ve got to minimise their impact where possible. But we’re confident we’ve got the players and the structures to implement what we need to. We’ve hopefully created a bit more pride in the club this season, and it would be great to get as many fans as possible down to Barlow Park this Sunday.”

Suburbs go into the game following a 64-6 Preliminary Final romp over Yarrabah Seahawks, and Suburbs coach Billy Beard says attitude is the key to the Grand Final.

“There’s only two teams left now, and it all comes down to who makes the least mistakes on the day,” said Beard.

“We’ve had a fairly settled team now for three years or so, and the boys know what it’s like to be on the end of losing a Grand Final, so there’s a lot of hunger to succeed. Roos are very strong in the middle of the field, and we’ve got to match them there, but the main thing is that we’ve got to be ready to go from the first whistle.

“It’s a massive game for the club, and we’d love as many people from Gordonvale and the southern suburbs to be there on Sunday.”

Roos are at full-strength for the Grand Final (kick-off 5.15pm), while Suburbs will hope prop Paul Rayment can recover from an ankle problem, especially with fellow forward Brent Oosen being called up by the Northern Pride.

It will be a bumper Grand Final day at Barlow Park, with the Northern Pride also playing in their Intrust Super Cup Semi-Final showdown with Easts Tigers (kick-off 1.35pm).

2013 Bendigo Bank CDRL GRAND FINAL DAY
Sunday 15 September – Barlow Park, Cairns (gates open 8.30am)
 
C Grade Grand Final – 9.45am kick-off
Malanda v Ivanhoes

Under 16s NQ Cowboys Challenge – 10am kick-off (West Barlow)
Kangaroos (CDJRL champions) v Ravenshoe (EJRL champions)

Under 18s Grand Final – 11.15am kick-off
Innisfail v Kangaroos

Intrust Super Cup Semi-Final – 1.35pm kick-off
Northern Pride v Easts Tigers

Reserves Grand Final – 3.30pm kick-off
Mareeba v Yarrabah

A Grade Grand Final – 5.15pm kick-off
Kangaroos v Southern Suburbs