Wynnum Manly’s star Jake Granville looking forward to the Grand Final against Tweed Heads
With his tousled shock of hair insuring he stands out at a distance – Jake Granville is a player who immediately attracts attention on the field. However it is his playing ability that has kept eyes on him this season, especially during the final series.
His team the Wynnum Manly Seagulls have defied history to make it to this years Intrust Super Cup grand final, following their stunning 36-0 Preliminary Final victory over fierce rivals the Redcliffe Dolphins.
“it is a pretty good feeling within the team at the moment,” Granville said of the win. “Our defence was the key, they had it on our line for a while but we managed to hold them out. There was a stage where we kept them out for three sets in a row, but our forwards worked well and got us on a roll.
“We were surprised by the margin – and it was a really tough game start there but we were able to run away with it at the end of the game. But it was really really tough start.”
On their way to the decider at Suncorp Stadium, the Seagulls side have achieved a number of firsts, as well as overcome a number of obstacles. The Seagulls were the first team to make the finals with more losses than wins (10 wins, 11 losses and one draw) and are also the first side to make it to the grand final from outside the top four. All this was achieved despite the fact that they lost their first six games of the season – a remarkable turnaround of form.
“We did have a pretty bad start, but we believed in what we could do,” Granville said. “It was tough and we were trying hard, I think we lost a few games by only two points and our first game we won by just two we were able to get on a roll.”
As one of only two teams of the beat and the minor premiership winning Tweed Heads Seagulls – the Bayside team is full of confidence they can go all the way. “Defence is the main thing,” Granville said of his team’s focus for the grand final. “If we can keep them from scoring that will go along way to winning.” “We have kept the same routine and we have been preparing well.”
Displaying form that saw him win this years Qantas Player of the Year Award, Granville has taken onboard a new role allocated to him by coach Paul Green. Although playing at fullback, Granville is also heavily involved at dummy half, sparking much of the Seagulls attack.
“I like the role, it keeps me in the game and it’s good to be kept involved,” the former Rockhampton junior said. “I used to play hooker, I played most of last year at hooker, so I’m used to that role.”
“I only started to play this (new) role halfway through this year, it’s a hybrid role but it feels pretty good.”
Story Source: QLD Rugby League News
Photo Source: Wynnum Manly Rugby League Football Club
