Thanks to the coaching of Brad Tronc and standout performances from unexpected players, the University of Sunshine Coast Barbarians A-Grade side are looking to make it two-in-a-row this weekend as they prepare to face the Maroochydore Swans at home.
The Barbarians entered the finals with a record of 14-1, sitting 19 points clear of second place on the ladder, having wrapped up the minor premiership weeks before the regular season finished.
The team is currently led by Brad Tronc, a veteran head coach who has previously coached the Caloundra Lighthouses. Tronc joined the Barbarians in 2019 and has since seen his squad improve year on year on the way to a premiership campaign last season.
Tronc attributes the success of his team to the commitment of each of his players week to week, season to season.
“We’ve kept a pretty consistent squad from last year’s premiership team, I think the beauty this year hasn’t been about recruitment, but more about retention,” the head coach said.
“We’ve had 20 out of 23 recommit from last year’s Grand Final squad.
“For us, it’s been about having those blokes consistently turn up - our team sheet doesn’t look too different each week - and you know you’re doing something right when blokes keep coming back and creating a culture that they want to be involved in.”
Despite the on-field results, the Barbarians have faced plenty of adversity off the field this season.
The team has often been unable to train on their home field due to concerns from the University over pitch preservation, meaning that the squad would consistently be playing games with no field sessions the week prior.
On top of this, the team has suffered numerous injuries to key players including Matt Lieder, who was recently voted as A-Grade’s best player in a poll conducted by News Corp.
But perhaps the most impactful injury on the team’s season was the loss of last season’s flyhalf Jordan Meads. Meads’ injury has had a valuable silver lining however, as it has made room for young gun Nathan Thomson to make the number-10 jersey his own.
According to Tronc, the young flyhalf hasn’t looked back since.
“He’s only a young guy, pretty quiet, humble, works really hard and he just keeps getting better each game for us,” Tronc said.
“Nathan was in and around the squad last year, but he was more like a Mr Fix-It, but this year he’s really nailed down that 10 jersey for us.”
A shifty playmaker with a rocket for a boot, Thomson has been flourishing in the Barbarians backline and has plenty of praise for the squad’s determination to win this season.
“I have loved being back playing First five, I’ve played all my juniors at 10 and have felt comfortable back playing there,” Thomson said.
“We have a-lot of flair in the outside backs so it’s just making sure I get them plenty of ball.
“I think the biggest contributor for the team’s success this year is wanting to win the title back-to-back. We have put the onus on ourselves as a playing group to make sure we are all working hard during trainings and doing extras.
“It’s clear the boys want it and are working hard for one another."
The Barbarians will have their chance to go back-to-back this Sunday, as they prepare to face off against the Maroochydore Swans at home.
The Swans are a team who has received plenty of praise from Tronc himself, describing every game between the two as a “dogfight”.
Led by sharpshooter flyhalf Shane Wright, Maroochydore have been the only team this season to beat the Barbarians, as their round 12 encounter saw the Swans hold the Barbarians scoreless in a dominant victory.
According to Swans head coach Ben Radmall, his side will have plenty of confidence facing off against the title favourites.
“We’re super confident, we know that if we play to our strengths and how we want to play, then we can definitely beat them,” Radmall said.
“It really comes down to patience with the ball, we have to really value possession this weekend.
“University probably has the best defence in the competition and they’ve got some very good strike players in their backline. We need to take opportunities when they come because there won’t be many come Sunday.”
For a lot of Swans players, this Sunday will be the last time they pull on the black and blue, and according to Radmall, his departing players will be leaving nothing in the tank and everything on the field as they look to end their careers with a Grand Final victory.
The Barbarians will be taking on the Swans at 3:30 on Sunday the 28th of August at the University of Sunshine Coast.
