Suncorp Stadium to host Sunday Grand Final

AN historic Sunday afternoon grand final at the home of rugby league in Queensland is set to provide a grandstand finish to the 2010 Intrust Super Cup season..

In a move that should excite the purists, the QRL Board this week confirmed that the competition's showpiece game would return to the hallowed turf of Suncorp Stadium for the first time since 2007.

The decision to play the game on a Sunday at 2pm - rather than the regular Saturday afternoon time slot - is also expected to be met favourably.

It is hoped the change will boost crowd numbers for the big day, which will also feature premiership deciders in the FOGS Cup and FOGS Challenge.

But spectators who cannot make it to the ground will still be able to watch all the action and grand final drama on the ABC, a long-time supporter of Australia's best second-tier competition.

Since the inception of the Queensland Cup in 1996, nine grand finals have been played at Suncorp Stadium.

But the September 19 match will be the first Sunday grand final.

Tweed Heads and Redcliffe contested the last grand final at the famous venue in 2007.

The Seagulls recorded a memorable 28-18 victory over the Dolphins.

The match produced some unforgettable moments, with Shannon Walker's brilliance still talked about to this day.

But perhaps the most celebrated grand final of them all was the incredible 2004 decider between Burleigh and Easts.

Burleigh won an extra-time thriller 22-18 that year and the Bears would dearly love to return to Suncorp Stadium this year.

But it will be no easy task for the Bears, one of 12 clubs striving for premiership glory this year.

Round 10 kicks off this weekend with the ABC TV clash between Norths and the Northern Pride at Bishop Park.