Bears vs Dolphins HPC Preliminary Final Pre Game Report ✍🏼 Michael Nunn

For 80 minutes on Sunday, Sam Coster’s 200th game will come down to one thing: whether Burleigh can beat Redcliffe and keep their season alive.

The Bears have done it three times in a row.

They stunned the Dolphins 22-12 at Kayo Stadium in Round 1, came from 14-0 down to win last year’s preliminary final 18-16, and won 30-12 in round 20 last year.

But this is a very different Redcliffe outfit.

The Dolphins have won five straight, will have the home-ground advantage and have won seven of their 12 previous preliminary finals.

Something must give.

For Coster, the occasion is enormous. The Bears skipper will become only the second player to reach 200 games for Burleigh, joining Shane O’Flanagan.

Coster and his pack will have to stand up to a Redcliffe side that has found its rhythm at exactly the right time of year. The Dolphins’ recent form has been outstanding, while their record at home in preliminary finals — six wins from nine — gives them plenty of confidence.

Burleigh have their own reasons for believing.

They have won four of their last five finals and five of their last seven away games. More importantly, they know what it takes to beat Redcliffe when the pressure is at its highest.

Last year proved that.

Redcliffe raced to a 14-0 lead after 30 minutes at UAA Park, only for Burleigh to drag themselves back into the contest and steal an 18-16 victory.

Six players from each side remain from that preliminary final, meaning there will be plenty of players on both sides who remember exactly how painful — or exhilarating — those final 50 minutes were.

For Redcliffe, James, Purcell, Pitama, Oloapu, Nonu and Johnson return with unfinished business.

For Burleigh, Leo, Watson, Rogers, Hamilton, Coster and De Luis know what it takes to survive this fixture.

And the stakes could hardly be higher.

These clubs have met 62 times — the most in Queensland Cup history — with Redcliffe leading 33-28, while Burleigh hold a 7-4 advantage in their 11 finals encounters.

Their three previous preliminary finals have all been won by the home side.

That makes Sunday another test of whether Kayo Stadium can continue to hold the edge — or whether Burleigh can once again make themselves at home.

The Bears will go to the filing cabinet and pull out the finals folder that calls for great kicking and tackling yourself to a standstill.

Mason Teague will put his hand up for his standard 50 plus tackles and Guy Hamiliton will do the kicking.

Jett Bryce is playing his first Hostplus Cup finals series but his second half against Townsville was outstanding and if he can get between defenders and get quick play the balls it will be over to Rogers and Hamilton to get the ball to Troy Leo and Kane Bradley.

This one deserves the grass to grow a little longer.