TWEED HEADS v SOUTHS LOGAN
Saturday, July 17 @ Ned Byrne Field, 2pm* live on ABC TV
Despite being in ninth position, Tweed is one of only six teams with a positive for-and-against record. That statistic, coupled with the Tweed’s 42-16 thrashing of Wynnum Manly last weekend, is enough to suggest the Seagulls will present a real danger to the competition frontrunners. Souths Logan are locked in a tight tussle with the Norths Devils for the minor premiership. However, Magpies coach Mark Beaumont will be searching for a touch more consistency from his charges after dropping two of their last three Intrust Super Cup matches against teams outside of the top six. The Magpies have named Raiders players Brett Kelly and James Stuart in the centres, while the Tweed will be boosted by the return of Queensland Residents forward Ryan Simpkins.
SUNSHINE COAST v REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS
Saturday, July 17 @ Stockland Park, 2pm
Sunshine Coast’s bid for back-to-back premierships took a hit this week with news that key pair Cameron Joyce and Michael Chapman would miss extended periods. Chapman injured his knee and requires a full reconstruction that will rule him out of the remainder of the Sea Eagles’ campaign. Joyce suffered a broken bone in his leg, but there is an outside chance he could return for the finals series should the Sea Eagles get that far. The injuries took the gloss off the club’s tenacious 16-8 victory over the Souths Logan Magpies last weekend. However, coach Brandon Costin firmly believes the club has the depth to cover the injured premiership-winning stars. The Sea Eagles will meet a determined Redcliffe team still smarting from a shock 17-16 loss the Easts Tigers. Dolphins coach John Dixon has named an unchanged side for the round 17 clash.
CENTRAL COMETS v BURLEIGH BEARS
Saturday, July 17 @ Browne Park, 7pm
This time last year the Central Comets were flying high and riding a wave of success into the finals. While a repeat finals appearance is highly unlikely this year, the Rockhampton club can put a major dent in Burleigh’s 2010 ambitions. Beaten 28-22 by Mackay last weekend, another bad hit here could see Mark Gee’s Burleigh outfit drop out of the top six with five rounds to play. Burleigh utility Kurt Sorensen is free to play after taking an early plea to a dangerous throw charge. Teammate Jamie Judge has pleaded not guilty to the same charge and will need to be exonerated at tonight’s judiciary hearing to take his spot in the Burleigh line-up. Fresh from a strong win over the Norths Devils, Comets coach Wayne Barnett has had the luxury of naming an unchanged team for one of the few times this season.
MACKAY CUTTERS v NORTHERN PRIDE
Sunday, July 18 @ Mackay Juniors, 3pm
Todd Seymour plays his 50th Queensland Cup match for the Cutters in arguably the biggest match in the club’s short history. A win here could see Paul Bramley’s Cutters move into third spot on percentages. However, the Cutters will need to defy their poor record against their northern rivals, with the Pride having won four of the five previous matches. Both sides are in good form and are coming off last-start wins. The Cutters edged out Burleigh last weekend while the Pride recorded their third successive victory with a 36-8 shut out of the Jets at Barlow Park. The Pride has lost several key players in recent weeks but the disruptions haven’t seemed to bother them. It is no surprise that the return of Chris Sheppard has coincided with the team’s form reversal.
NORTHS DEVILS v EASTS TIGERS
Sunday, July 18 @ Bishop Park, 3pm
Two of the Broncos’ feeder clubs collide in this intriguing round 17 clash. Broncos squad members Scott Anderson and Ashton Sims are set to line up for Norths, while Easts coach Jason Gainey will have the services of Red Hill duo Denan Kemp and Lagi Setu. Kemp has been named at fullback as he attempts to win back a first-grade spot at the Broncos. Although they have little hope of playing finals football, Easts have stuck solid over the last month with last weekend’s 17-16 upset win over Redcliffe following a 30-22 victory over Central in round 14. Norths will be favoured to win by most punters, despite a shock 34-16 loss to the Comets in Rockhampton last week. In their first meeting this year, the Devils got the better of Easts 28-24. After severing ties with the Pride mid-season, Jay Aston has been named on the bench to play his first match for the Devils since last year.
IPSWICH JETS v WYNNUM MANLY
Sunday, July 18 @ North Ipswich Reserve, 3pm
After conceding 100 points in their last two games, Wynnum Manly coach Paul Green has made several changes for the important clash against the last-placed Jets. Damien Quinn’s switch from centre to five-eighth is one of the key changes. The former Celtic star’s move to pivot has squeezed John Peterson out of the side. Wynnum’s two heavy back-to-back losses has the Seagulls in danger of slipping out of fourth spot should they fall to the Jets. Ipswich would need to win at least three of its remaining six games to be any chance of avoiding the dreaded wooden-spoon. Slow starts have plagued the Jets all season and last week was no different with the Pride taking a 14-0 lead into the break. Winger Luke Walker scored two tries in the second half to restore some credibility for the Jets. Walker has been a consistent performer the Jets with 10 tries this year.
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