NORTHS DEVILS v MACKAY CUTTERS
Saturday, September 11
Bishop Park, 2pm * Live on ABC TV
Referee: Clayton Sharpe
The Cutters have been forced to make two changes for the biggest match in their short history. Luke Fatnowna (knee) and Shannon Gallant (ankle) were this week ruled out in the wake of Mackay’s gritty 14-4 win over the Sunshine Coast. Zac Dalton replaces Fantowna on the bench, while Ben Harris slots into the backline in Gallant’s absence. With Harris to start at centre, Donald Malone moves to fullback for the Bishop Park clash. The city of Mackay is buzzing with excitement following the Cutters’ stunning upset win over the Sea Eagles that now places them 80 minutes away from an historic grand final berth. Mackay insiders are confident that they can knock over the Devils and even take out the big one if they can reproduce last week’s “effort”. But therein lies the big question: Can the Cutters produce a second whole-hearted performance in the space of a week? Norths coach Kevin Carmichael certainly isn’t underestimating the Cutters, adding that the Devils would be “ready” for Mackay’s physical approach. Norths are match hardened and well prepared for the Mackay ambush after overcoming Souths Logan 20-16 in a tough clash at a boggy Davies Park last weekend. The Devils have made just the one change, with key back-rower Brendon Gibb coming back into the side for Jamie Muller. Norths have the edge in the head to head stakes, winning both of their regular season games to extend their overall record over the Cutters to 5-1. Interestingly, Carmichael has never lost a game to a team coached by Bramley. The Norths mentor was in charge of the Devils team that defeated Bramley’s then Souths Logan Magpies outfit on two occasions in 2009.
SOUTHS LOGAN v NORTHERN PRIDE
Sunday, September 12
Davies Park, 2pm* Live on ABC TV
Referee: Justin Davis
The Magpies will be desperate to avoid a repeat of their disastrous 2009 preliminary final exit when they host the rampant Northern Pride on Sunday. Like last year, Souths Logan enters the penultimate weekend of the season with the minor premiership tucked away. However, it will count for little if the Magpies again fail to qualify for the premiership decider. Souths Logan coach Mark Beaumont believes the Magpies learnt some vital lessons from last year’s heartbreaking defeat to the Sunshine Coast. But it remains to be seen whether the Magpies can repel the hottest team in the Intrust Super Cup. The Pride has won a staggering 10-straight games to be knocking on the door of a second successive grand final appearance and their playing stocks have also been bolstered by the inclusion of Cowboys trio Clint Amos, Ty Williams and Nick Slyney. The David Maiden-coached team slugged out an unspectacular 28-12 win over Wynnum Manly in Cairns last weekend to book their passage through to the preliminary final weekend. But without the support of their home fans, this clash is going to be a much tougher assignment. Souths Logan is poised to welcome Queensland Residents stars Brad Cross and Kieran Whalley back from injury. The pair will add some much needed aggression and experience to the Magpies pack. The Northern Pride were thrashed 60-12 by the Magpies in their only visit to Davies Park this year. But the Pride made amends by beating the Magpies 12-4 in round 14 to end Souths Logan’s nine-match winning streak.
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