A very stop start affair this week with officials regulating high tackles and the breakdown mercilessly. Throughout the first half of the match Royals weathered penalty after penalty that had them on the back foot and behind on the scoreboard.
A half time chat and reminder that the capability to make the required adjustments was within this group seemed to find its mark and Royals played with intent and focus for the remainder of the match, providing only minimal opportunities for Wests to get their hands on the ball. As the full time whistle blew Royals were ahead by 38-29 and had booked their place in the grand final.
This match provided a lot of lessons and will serve us well heading into the GF. Wests were a strong opposition and we problem solved and executed to get ourselves back in the match, get ahead and then stay there. We benefited from the experience of Pedro who directed us around the park and, as always, covered well in defence just behind the ruck. Oscar Waite was exemplary getting over the advantage line with almost every carry. But Rory, Bowro, Jarrah and Hayesy really did the hard yards for us this week, putting their body on the line and laying the foundations for this win.
We face up against Vikings in the grand final match. This is the game we’ve worked the entire season to be a part of. It would be great to have the blue hill on our side, and the majority of the support in the stands. We hope to see you there.
