The Rangers again face Caboolture, who ended their hopes last season and now occupy an unfamiliar fourth position, but undaunted territory after 14 titles in 22 years.
This time a draw will not be enough to progress to the big game, so the Snakes must consider time as an extra factor in their plans.
Glasshouse as minor premiers will enter the play-offs full of confidence as the youth component matures at season’s end, with the likes of Joel Owen, Jett Taylor and Ricky Sawyer having graduated past the rookie status. Backed by experienced survivors of many campaigns, the Rangers have melded into a squad capable of going all the way.
Now the Rangers host Caloundra as table leaders in the last fixture round, knowing that a win should provide the former and momentum for the latter. His side has that mixture of youth, experience and talent in its prime, from the 300 plus games of Jeremy Schultz, with an unbeaten 141 last round adding to 7000-odd others, to the emergence of young bowler Jett Taylor as a force with his initial five-wicket haul. Taylor shares the new ball with the top-shelf Steve Heise, and the off-pace variety of Heath Fischer and Joel Owen completes the depth of the attack. Tim Taylor, Ricky Sawyer and match-winner Dan Cahill follow their elders to complete the strong top five batting.
The Thunder would love to continue a bumper season by heading the competition into 2021 after securing the T20 premiership, and victory would do that, plus add a little more security to the lead on a ladder congested at the top.
Glasshouse are under two points behind, with wins by Maroochydore and Caboolture enough to scramble ahead of the loser of the top two clash, a change demonstrated by Caboolture’s demotion from first to fourth after last weekend.
Little separates the sides, with Steve Heise and Heath Fischer leading strong back-up from Joel Owen and Jett Taylor with the ball for the Rangers, while Tom Freshwater and Scott Aufderheide, supported by Jarrod Officer and Dom Taylor, have served the Thunder well.