REDLANDS Rugby League Club's 50th anniversary celebrations have reached fever pitch, with two open men's teams qualifying for grand finals after tight victories in sudden death clashes at the weekend.
The division one team claimed one of the upsets of the season to secure their spot in the final, downing the minor premiers and undefeated Brothers 24-22 at Emerson Park on Brisbane's north side.
The team have come from fourth position to clinch a home grand final against Beerwah Bulldogs, which kicks off at Pinklands Sporting Complex on Saturday at 3.30pm.
The division three side will also play at home in the premiership decider this weekend after defeating Mt Gravatt 24-18 on Saturday.
Their match will kick off at 12pm during what will be one of the biggest days in the club's history.
It is an extra special occasion in 2020 given there is no NRL feeder competition, with the Queensland Cup cancelled this year due to COVID-19.
The division one side has lost two games to Beerwah this season but club president Todd Flahey said he was confident the players' pride for the jersey would shine through.
"It has always been a battle, but if we can get them on home soil or get a big crowd there, they are in a whole lot of trouble," he said.
"Our boys are ready to go to war for their jersey and mates. When they get there on game day the other teams know it's going to be tough.
"Both the coaches are good friends of mine and I know they are going to have them fired up, coming out of those sheds ready to win for our area."
Flahey said both sides were playing out of their skins to bring home a premiership in the club's 50th year, with Redlands juniors making up about 95 per cent of the open men's teams.
"We don't recruit, we just have great people that know what it means to put on a Redlands jersey," Flahey said.
"They respect it, and they respect the many people who have worn it before them.
"This is something special for them. The feeling in Redlands at the moment is amazing.
"There is plenty of confidence in the air because we know we're tough."
Flahey said the players were "pumped" for the weekend.
"You can tell that they want it," he said. "This is their 50th year. It has been a hard-fought year - they have had some great wins and some hard losses.
"The pure grit on both teams and the dedication to win and get a result in their 50th year is going to be the difference I think."
In a show of passion for the club, Flahey said a few of the players from the division three team had filled in for the top team when they had been short on troops.
"It is so good because some of our (division) three players drove up from the Mt Gravatt win and joined in to play with the ones, and we still beat the undefeated team," he said.
"We are low on numbers, we had a few injuries during the year, but those players are still backing up for us."
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