The Sunshine Coast Falcons will finally return to the Queensland Cup grand final this weekend, almost a decade after missing a golden opportunity to win the title.
No current squad members were part of the team that was stunned by the PNG Hunters in the decider at Suncorp Stadium in 2017 but supporters, staff and sponsors have long-lasting and painful memories.
“That grand final: that was a tough day,” Falcons CEO Chris Flannery said of the 12-10 loss that included a gut-wrenching 79th minute try.
“While it was nearly 10 years ago, we still look back and reflect on that and things we could and should have done better.”
“We probably should have won that game but the Hunters ran us down at the end of the day.”
Most of the Falcons’ faithful can also recall, with equal shock, the 2019 campaign when the team lost just one game out of 24 before suddenly bowing out in the preliminary final.
As a result, the Falcons are desperate to topple arch-rivals and glamour club Redcliffe Dolphins at Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe on Saturday.
“It’s taken us nine years to get back to the grand final and we’re looking for redemption,” Flannery said.
“We’re going to try and make amends for that (2017 game) and hopefully we can get the job done.
“We know they (grand finals) don’t come around too often, so we really need to make the most of it.”
Flannery said the Falcons face the ultimate test against perennial powerhouse Redcliffe.
“We’re certainly going down there as the underdog,” he said.
“It’s a true David and Goliath story really.
“We’re a small club that does not have a leagues club, a massive amount of money or NRL (contracted) players, and we’re going up against a massive club with a huge leagues club, a huge amount of money and several NRL players.”
“But we don’t mind and we’re up for the challenge.
“We’ve worked so hard all year so to get to the grand final is an amazing feeling but we’re not content with just making it there.
“The players and staff are very determined to get a result.”
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That the Sunshine Coast made it to the main game is remarkable.
The Falcons are one of only a few teams in the competition that do not have access to NRL contracted players via an affiliation with a top-tier club.
But they won 16 of 20 games during the regular season to claim the minor premiership, before toppling Burleigh and Central Capras in the finals.
“We’ve shown we can survive without NRL players,” Flannery said.
“We recruited some fantastic players and we’ve got a great group of local players as well.
“The guys have gelled well and (coach) Brad Henderson has done an amazing job. He’s worked extremely hard.
“It’s a credit to all the players and staff. It has been a wonderful season to date and hopefully we can finish it off.”
The Sunshine Coast’s one and only title, in 2009, came when they had access to players from the Manly Sea Eagles.
The Falcons also benefited from a long-term link with the Melbourne Storm, when they came close to winning the premiership and rolled out the likes of NRL stars Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes.
But Flannery admitted that accommodating NRL players can also be a disruption.
The Falcons have an affiliation with the Brisbane Broncos this year but do not have access to players from the NRL club.
The last time the Falcons did not have NRL contracted players, in the mid-2010s, they endured a multi-season slump.
Flannery said Falcons’ fans have been out in force this season and several of them should travel to Redcliffe this weekend.
“We’re hoping some locals can get there, in their black and yellow, and support the club,” he said.
The match at Kayo Stadium will kick-off on Saturday at 4.10pm. Tickets, from $25 for adults, can be purchased via Ticketek. The game will be broadcast on Fox League.
