Norths Devils v Mackay Cutters
Bishop Park
Saturday, April 3 – 2pm* Live on ABC TV
The ABC TV match of the round looms as a real danger game for the unbeaten Devils. Their perfect start to the season will come under intense fire from the Cutters, who are edging closer to their first win of the season after pushing the Redcliffe Dolphins all the way last weekend. The Dolphins got the better of the Cutters 25-18 but there was a lot to like about Mackay’s performance. The Cutters have a new halves pairing, with Cowboys playmaker Grant Rovelli named in the No. 6 jersey after missing selection in the NRL team. Rovelli will partner Justin Hunt in the halves, with Shane Muspratt moving to the back-row. The Cutters, however, may not have the services of gun forward Leeson Ah Mau who has been drafted into the Cowboys NRL squad for the match against the Titans.
Sunshine Coast v Easts Tigers
Stockland Park
Saturday, April 3 – 2pm
Easts have yet to taste any sort of success against the Sea Eagles, who beat the Tigers twice in 2009. The Tigers were hammered 54-10 in the second of those meetings at Stockland Park. The Tigers return to the scene of last year’s round 19 capitulation but this time around there is an air of confidence in the Easts camp. Jason Gainey’s team is coming off a confidence-boosting 32-10 victory over the Central Comets. Easts have named the experienced David Georgiou at five-eighth following Tim Smith’s release to the Cronulla Sharks. Georgiou, who made his comeback from injury in the FOGS Cup last week, will partner Jace Van Dijk in the halves. The Sunshine Coast will be desperate to avoid a third-straight loss, an unwanted achievement they only experienced on one occasion during last year’s fairytale premiership season.
Northern Pride v Tweed Heads
Barlow Park
Saturday, April 3 – 7pm
Experienced fullback Chey Bird returns from injury for the crunch clash against the Seagulls in Cairns. Both sides are yet to record a win in the Intrust Super Cup although it is hardly time to hit the panic button just yet. Bird slots into a new-look backline that also includes Cowboys regular Michael Bani on the wing. Bani and Steve Southern have been dropped from the Cowboys NRL side after a major shake up by North Queensland coach Neil Henry. Impressive youngster Theeran Pearson make his debut for the Pride at five-eighth in the absence of regular pivot Ryan Stig. For the second week in a row, the Tweed will be without key playmakers Brad Davis and Tim Maccan. Although yet to register a win, the Tweed has been super competitive in all three matches and last week their depleted squad pushed Burleigh all the way in a narrow 10-4 loss.
Burleigh Bears v Ipswich Jets
Pizzey Park
Sunday, April 4 – 3pm
Burleigh star Brent “Jockey” McConnell plays his 100th Queensland Cup match for the Bears in this important round four clash. McConnell, who has also had stints with the Young Guns and Aspley Devils, is widely regarded as one of the leading halfbacks in the competition. McConnell is beginning to strike up a potent combination with five-eighth Richie Williams. The Jets on the other hand are light on in the key playmaking positions, with first-choice halfback Ian Lacey still sidelined with a calf injury. Young gun Callum Waldrum has impressed in Lacey’s absence but the Centenary junior is no certainty to play this weekend after suffering a head knock in Ipswich’s 24-12 loss to Norths last weekend. The Jets have promoted Keiron Lander to the starting pack after losing Vili Fainga’a to an ankle injury.
Wynnum Manly v Souths Logan
BMD Kougari Oval
Sunday, April 4 – 3pm
A big crowd is expected to pack into BMD Kougari Oval for arguably the biggest match of the round. Both teams are riding high after impressive last-start victories. The Seagulls knocked over 2009 premiers the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles while Souths Logan destroyed the Northern Pride 60-12 with a sparkling display of attacking football. Former Broncos winger Reece Robinson made an immediate impact with the Magpies last weekend, crossing for two of the team’s 11 tries. Points are likely to be much harder to come by for the Magpies this weekend against a Wynnum Manly outfit that has the equal best defensive record in the competition. The Seagulls have conceded just 28 points in their opening three games.
Central Comets v Redcliffe Dolphins
Browne Park
Sunday, April 4 – 3pm
After a lean 2009 campaign, Redcliffe has well and truly announced itself as a major player this year after completing a third-straight victory last weekend. This is the seventh time the Dolphins have commenced a Queensland Cup season with three wins – no other team has done it more than four times. Redcliffe coach John Dixon left some big names out of his line up in the opening rounds but the results show that the former Celtic Crusaders mentor has been right on the money. The Comets will be keen to atone for a disappointing loss to the Easts Tigers last weekend. The match is a rare Sunday afternoon home game for the Comets and coach Wayne Barnett will be hoping for some major improvements.
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