By Tim Mosey

GPS destroyed Easts in the preliminary final last weekend to set up a grand final showdown with UQ for the second straight year.

The Gallopers were clinical from the outset, getting their scoring underway with a trick play lineout call which saw halfback James Tuttle scoot over from 20m out.

It was one way traffic from that point on and Easts were never really in the hunt.

It will most likely be a different story on Sunday though. UQ have defeated GPS three times this year.

But previous form counts for little at grand final time and both teams will be focused on getting the job done on Sunday.

We took a look at the key match ups this weekend.

Con Foley (UQ) vs Alfonso Horomia (GPS)

Horomia is the Gallopers’ go to man for front-foot ball.

The inside centres’ size and abrasive style enables him to inevitably get over the gain line and gives GPS plenty of momentum.

But UQ’s Foley is tough and uncompromising.

His lighter frame doesn’t hamper his ability to dominate in contact and his ‘offensive defensive’ approach ensures the opposition feels his presence on the field.

Whoever wins the mid field battle between former Easts Tiger Horomia and Australian 7’s star Foley, may well come out with man of the match honours.

The Front Row Battle

Both sides have exceptionally talented, large, fit front rows.

The JP Smith/Ryan Freney/Ruan Smith combination of GPS may slightly edge the Tom Court/Campbell Wakely/Hamish Richardson trio.

JP will need medical clearance after leaving the field in the prelim final with a suspected cheekbone fracture.

GPS have based their season on front row dominance and this weekend will be no exception.

The scrum sets the platform for both sides to get go-forward first phase ball.

Irish veteran Court will add experience and calmness to the young pack that features Reds tyros Angus Scott-Young and Harry Hockings.

Scott Gale (UQ) vs Albert Nikoro (GPS)

Nikoro started the season for GPS in scintillating form.

The quicksilver fullback was unstoppable across the opening round of Premier Rugby.

A mid season injury slowed his year, though his efforts over the past fortnight have been nothing less than inspiring.

His tough-as-nails approach was evident in the major semi final, running a short line off James Tuttle only to be met by a UQ brick wall. When his  head snapped back it resembled one of those bobble heads on the dashboard of a car, as he was stopped dead in his tracks.

The kiwi product wasn’t deterred though, running a similar line again shortly after.

Gale has been a standout at the back for UQ this year.

If indeed he plays fullback, UQ will rely on him heavily.

The former Reds halfback has an accurate left foot kicking game and injects himself into the attacking line at the right time and place more often than not.

He can be the attacking difference for UQ this weekend.

For two teams intent on dominating each other up front, it would be great to see an outside back leading their side to victory.

Tate McDermott (UQ) vs James Tuttle (GPS)

The halfback battle will be worth the price of admission alone.

Tuttle will be out to show Reds coach Brad Thorn he is not a spent force.

He will want to outplay McDermott, who he was effectively dropped from the Reds for.

On his day, McDermott is a class above most other Premier Rugby halfbacks.

His ability to sniff out a short side opportunity and capitalise on turnover ball is second to none.

In the major semi final, he caught the Galloper defenders napping on the blindside twice and set up two crucial tries.

Tuttle and McDermott can both have significant influence on the game.

They will be out to grab the upper hand early on Sunday.

Tom Kibble (GPS) vs Wyatt Setu (UQ)

Setu and Kibble are openside terriers who ooze teenage enthusiasm and play without a care in the world.

Kibble is so fresh to first grade, this time last year he was four weeks into his Brisbane Boys’ College 1^st XV season, and two months ago was playing colts.

His semi final effort a fortnight ago was one of the most exceptional games of footy seen by such a young forward in recent memory.

This may have explained his preliminary performance, which didn’t reach the heights he hit the previous week.

It will be interesting to see if the youngster can back up for a third week in a row of finals footy.

Setu on the other hand, has enjoyed the week off.

His speed to the breakdown has been unrivalled this season.

If he can get the jump on Kibble and perhaps Matt Gicquel in the second half, he will win UQ plenty of turnover pill.

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This will be the match of the season with the two best teams in the competition going at it hammer and tong.

Get down to Ballymore on Sunday, 3:05pm, to see these two outstanding clubs go into battle for the Hospital’s Cup.

What a fitting way to conclude an exceptional year of QLD Premier Rugby.