By Finn Morton; Photo: QRU Media Unit – Brendan Hertel/Tom Primmer

It would be hard to argue that Brothers have not returned to the level that is expected of them in 2019, after improving on their seventh-placed finish from 2018.

On top of the Doughty Shield, the Brethren capped off an impressive 2019 campaign so far with awards being presented to Josh Flook for the best under 19s player, Byron Ralston for being the top try scorer, and the Premier Grade side received the Horsley Cup for winning the Minor Premiership. Number eight Harry Wilson was also presented with the Alec Evans Medal, awarded to the Player of the Year.

The Brethren have also had a great year as a club as they were presented with the Doughty Shield for winning the club championship at the Grand Final Breakfast.

While these awards may highlight the dominance of Brothers this season, Grand Final success is the one that counts, and according to captain Tom Moloney, the Filth couldn’t be more motivated.

“I think the team are very motivated for the game. It’s not every weekend you get to play a Premier Grade Grand Final. As a team we’ve worked hard throughout the year to give ourselves this opportunity,” said Moloney.

“Brothers versus Uni are generally physical encounters and I don’t think this will be any different.

“It’s a Grand Final so I think teams are going to be giving it their all and that will be on show this Sunday.”

Brothers most recently played in the Major Semi-Final against defending-champions Jeeps. While they scored an impressive forty-eight points, they did also concede forty in what was a high-scoring affair.

Moloney wants his team to both tighten up their defence and cut down UQ’s danger men in what he believes will be the difference on Sunday.

“Our defence will play a big part in this match. In the Major Semi we had forty-points scored on us so we would certainly like to run that around this weekend.

“They have some quality controllers in Jimmy Dalgleish and Tate McDermott. Those guys added with a couple of electric outside backs makes them pretty dangerous, so if we can contain those guys, that should hopefully put us in good stead.

“In the last few months, we’ve faced some quality teams and have had some hard lessons and taken things away that should hopefully put us in a good position when it comes to those challenging moments.”

In recent years, a few teams have tasted success after qualifying via the preliminary final, but Moloney doesn’t necessarily see this as being a factor.

“I think it’s more about turning up on the day. I don’t know about statistics on it but if you look back, it probably falls fifty-fifty [on winners coming out of the preliminary final against those who have had a week off].

“It’s a Grand Final so I think teams are going to be giving it their all and that will be on show this Sunday.

Hospital Cup success will be determined on Sunday, with Ballymore playing host to another clash between what many consider to be the fiercest rivalry in Premier Rugby.