The Mullumbimby Giants have earned a semifinal berth and play their last regular season home game this Sunday against Marist Brothers.
The visitors are sitting on 19 competition points in sixth place behind Mullumbimby on 24 points.
At worst the Giants will finish in fifth place and will go into the semifinal rounds.
Last Sunday the Giants travelled north and took on competition leaders Tweed Coast and were beaten 30–6.
It capped off a challenging six weeks for the side that included a mixture of losses, wins and draws and saw them slip from the top of the table.
The team has been depleted by injuries to players in both the forwards and backs.
But coach Dallas Walters only had praise for a side that hasn’t lost its heart or its hard-work ethic over this this period.
‘I couldn’t ask for more in terms of the effort the players are putting in,’ he said.
The good news is that injured players are making their way back to the side and a win this weekend could set up some good momentum going into the semifinals.
‘To hit a tough patch is all part of playing rugby league,’ Dallas said. ‘The boys set up a semifinal position earlier in the season when they played really well.
‘To reach the semis is great result for this team. We are setting our sights to go even better. Finals football is a different style of footy played under high pressure.
‘Any team in the top five can make the grandfinal. We know if we play well we have a chance,’ he said.
White Ribbon
The Giants women touch footballers will also be running a tent to raise funds and awareness for White Ribbon and its work to reduce violence against women.
‘The club is really supporting of this,’ Dallas said.
All the action from 12.00pm this Sunday August 12 at Mullumbimby’s homeground, Les Donnelly Field.