Match Preview
Doncaster Rugby League Club will face Barrow Raiders for the fourth, and most important, time this season and will compete in the Co-operative Championship One Grand Final on Sunday at the Halliwell Jones Stadium (2pm kick-off).
The two clubs last met just a fortnight ago with the Raiders securing their place in the final with a narrow 22-20 victory at the Keepmoat Stadium. That meant the Dons had a second bite at the cherry and registered a fine 20-0 win over Workington Town last Sunday to book their place at Warrington.
However, the victory came at a cost and the retiring forward Craig Lawton will miss Sunday's showdown after badly dislocating his shoulder. "I'm gutted for Craig with it being the penultimate game before he retires." admitted Dons' head coach Tony Miller after the game.
Hooker Kyle Kesik (shin) and prop Russ Spiers (concussion) also picked up injuries in the second half of the game and their progress has been monitored throughout the week. It is hoped that both players will be fit for the final as Miller's squad is looking rather threadbare.
Full back Mick Butterfield is included in the squad once again and Featherstone bound Tom Hodson will play his last game for the Dons after making his comeback from injury last week.
Miller said: "I was really pleased with our defensive efforts last week and to nil a team like Workington in a semi-final is very pleasing to say the least.
"The game against Barrow a fortnight ago was very close and I don't think there was much between the teams.
"Our game plan more or less went out of the window after the injury to Paul Cooke in the first minute so that obviously didn't help our cause.
"With a bit more composure in attack we could've easily won the game but that's behind us now and we're all looking forward to the big day.
"Sunday's game could just be as tight so it's vital we start well and play to our potential. It should be a cracker."
Miller picked up the Championship One Coach of the Year Award on Tuesday night after masterminding the Dons to their first league title in 61 years and added: "Whatever the result may be on Sunday, we've had a fantastic season and we've more than achieved our objectives.
"We'll give it our all and do our best to bring the grand final trophy back to Doncaster.
"The boys have been superb all year and they deserve every success."
Prop Andy Bracek (knee) is Barrow's only injury concern ahead of the final and Raiders' head coach Darren Holt believes his side's week' off, following the win at Doncaster, has helped his squad prepare for the game.
Holt said: "Getting there at the first strike was always the aim, and the extra week has helped us recover from certain bruises.
"We've been playing for a long time and the week off came at a good time."
Holt, who retired from playing midway through the season, admits he looks on 2012 "with a fair amount of pride".
He said: "With every week that's gone by and with every win we've got, expectations have risen.
"There's still a tinge of disappointment that we didn't finish top, but now we've got this Grand Final and, over the course of the season, the boys deserve to be here.
"I just hope we can go there, do ourselves justice and hopefully come back with the result. It really does come down to who turns up on the day."
Tickets to the Co-operative Championships Finals Day on Sunday 30th September at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington cost from just £16 adult, £8 concessions and can be purchased by calling the RFL Ticket office on 0844 856 1113 or by visiting
www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk.
Last ten meetings:
Doncaster 20, Barrow 22 (C1QSF, 16/9/12)
Doncaster 28, Barrow 24 (C1R13, 15/7/12)
Barrow 25, Doncaster 8 (C1R2, 18/3/12)
Doncaster 0, Barrow 60 (NRCR1, 17/2/10)
Doncaster 40, Barrow 20 (NL2R23, 27/8/0icon_cool.gif
Barrow 19, Doncaster 12 (NL2R12, 6/6/0icon_cool.gif
Barrow 16, Doncaster 34 (NL1R16, 14/8/05)
Doncaster 42, Barrow 12 (NL1R7, 5/6/05)
Doncaster 28, Barrow 31 (NFPR26, 14/7/02)
Barrow 14, Doncaster 24 (NFPR8, 20/1/02)
Previous play-off meeting:
Doncaster 20, Barrow 22 (C1QSF, 16/9/12)
Doncaster - Grand Final appearances
Mark Castle
2008 Won (Doncaster v Oldham, 18-10)
Dean Colton
2008 Won (Doncaster v Oldham, 18-10)
Craig Lawton
2009 Lost (Oldham v Keighley, 28-26)
2008 Won (Doncaster v Oldham, 18-10)
Lee Waterman
2010 Won (York v Oldham, 25-4)
Doncaster has used 27 players in this season's Co-operative Championship 1 campaign - with Mark Castle and Lee Waterman being ever present in all 18 league and 2 play-off games.
Barrow Raiders - Grand Final appearances
Andy Ballard
(NL1GF: 2009 Won (Barrow v Halifax, 26-1icon_cool.gif
Andy Bracek
(NL1GF: 2009 Won (Barrow v Halifax, 26-1icon_cool.gif
Liam Harrison
(NL1GF: 2009 Won (Barrow v Halifax, 26-1icon_cool.gif
Darren Holt
2011 Lost (Workington v Keighley, 32-12)
Scott Kaighan
2011 Lost (Workington v Keighley, 32-12)
Aaron Low
2011 Lost (Workington v Keighley, 32-12)
Ruairi McGoff
2011 Lost (Workington v Keighley, 32-12)
James Nixon
(NL1GF: 2009 Won (Barrow v Halifax, 26-1icon_cool.gif
Barrow have used 29 players in this season's Co-operative Championship 1 campaign, but have no ever presents in their squad.
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