By TOM PRIMMER

Easts v Bond University | Ballymore | Sunday October 25, 3:30pm 

It’s preliminary final time in the Hospital Cup, with Easts taking on Bond University for a spot in the Grand Final against UQ. 

The Tigers were far from their best last week, with the Students outplaying the minor premiers for the majority of the 80-minutes to claim a 37-19 win. 

This week gives Ben Mowen’s men the chance to bounce back, and with nine Easts teams in elimination finals over the weekend, motivation is high for the entire club. 

Scrum time again looms as a key facet of the Easts game plan, and the side’s dominant front row of Rhys van Nek, Richie Asiata and George Francis will look to lay the platform early for the Tigers. 

After crossing for only one try last weekend, the minor premiers will be looking for some extra spark out wide, meaning the contributions of playmakers Eli Pilz, Jack Frampton and veteran Aidan Toua will be crucial. 

Easts has boasted arguably the most impressive backrow in the Hospital Cup this year, courtesy of the consistency of Mowen, Tom Milosevic and Michael Gunn, and with dynamic Reds backrower Seru Uru slotting in at lock, the Tigers possess plenty of firepower in their pack. 

They’ll take on a Bond side high on confidence, with the Bull Sharks knocking off GPS last round in their first ever finals appearance, and defeating the Tigers earlier in the year.

It was Liam Dillon who starred last weekend, with the scrumhalf again pressing his claims for higher honours with a polished and aggressive performance. 

Dillon’s battle with Pilz could go a long way to deciding this one, while the rest of the Bond backline has also been on song as the Gold Coasters propelled themselves to their maiden finals berth. 

The back three of Max Dowd, Rhian Stowers and Joey Fittock has been potent, with centre combination Ryan Menzies and Dan Boardman similarly destructive. 

Up front, the side has again been bolstered by Reds duo Angus Blyth and Zane Nonggorr, with Nonggorr anchoring the scrum which eventually secured the match winning penalty for the side last weekend. 

In the back row, NRC openside Connor Pritchard has been named to return in a huge inclusion for the Bullsharks, and he’ll pack down alongside Declan Dinnen and Dylan Rowe.

Bond skipper Dan Boardman said his side had prepared well for the do or die clash.

“Our focus this week has been to fix our breakdown and discipline from the GPS game,” Boardman said. 

“I thought the effort was incredible but a few work-ons will give us confidence going into the weekend. Training has been really good this week, so we are excited.

“We learned that finals are a totally different intensity and speed, but the boys adapted really well I thought and we’re more ready for this weekend.

“The boys were awesome on the weekend, but we will need to be a lot better against Easts as they’re a quality team and will be up for this after their loss against UQ. 

“It means the world to us as players when you can hear the support of people and it takes a lot of effort from everyone at the club to get us on the field and playing well so it will be a massive whole club effort on Sunday. 

“Everyone at the footy club is so excited and can’t wait to get stuck in!”

IMAGE: BRENDAN HERTEL / QRU