REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS v NORTHS DEVILS
Saturday, July 24 @ Dolphin Oval, 2pm* live on ABC TV
Redcliffe speedster Ryan Cullen turns out for his 150th appearance in the Queensland Cup. The livewire fullback scored three tries in last weekend’s loss to the Sunshine Coast. The hat-trick took his career tally to 111 tries, the benchmark in the long-standing competition. Cullen, who has also had stints with Easts and Central, will need to be at his best if the Dolphins are to upset the competition leaders in the 2pm ABC TV clash. Redcliffe enters the match in fourth spot, but have a host of teams right on their tail. The Devils – 28-12 winners over Easts last weekend – can take a step closer to securing the minor premiership with a round 18 victory. The Nundah club is gradually getting back to full-strength with Gideon Mzembe, Mark Leafa and Joe Bond all named to make their top grade returns. Key halfback Matt Smith is also close to a comeback. Saturday’s clash will see former Redcliffe premiership-winning star Shane Perry return to Dolphin Oval in a Devils jersey for the first time.
EASTS TIGERS v BURLEIGH BEARS
Saturday, July 24 @ Langlands Park, 2pm
Fresh from a 50-18 thumping of the Central Comets, the Burleigh Bears will start hot favourites in this Langlands Park clash. Last week’s win came at just the right time for Mark Gee’s outfit, which has a host of teams right on its hammer in the intriguing race for top six spots. Easts are out of finals contention, but could be more than nuisance value with the likes of Denan Kemp and Lagi Setu named in the starting team. Bears fullback Nick Parfitt scored 28 points last weekend to eclipse 1300 career points in the Queensland Cup. But the real star for Burleigh at Browne Park last Saturday was talented hooker Riley Brown, who scored a try of his own and had a hand in a number of others in a scintillating performance. In the head-to-head stakes, the Bears have the better of the duel with Easts, winning 18 games compared to the Tigers’ 11.
CENTRAL COMETS v NORTHERN PRIDE
Saturday, July 24 @ Browne Park, 7pm
Comets forward Alan Rothery’s season has ended on a bitter note, with the big forward suspended for a total of 11 matches on three separate charges (reckless high tackle, striking and contrary conduct) following his team’s loss to the Burleigh Bears at Browne Park last Saturday. The news on the judiciary front was much better for the Pride though after young five-eighth Ryan Stig took an early plea to a dangerous throw charge and avoided a one-match ban. Stig, who scored a classy try in the Pride’s 22-16 win over the Mackay Cutters last weekend, partners Chris Sheppard in a halves combination that is getting better by the week. If, as expected, the Pride beat the Comets in Rockhampton, the Cairns club could be sitting in fifth spot with four games to play. Jason Roos plays his 50th Queensland Cup match for the Pride.
WYNNUM MANLY v MACKAY CUTTERS * Live on BAY FM
Sunday, July 25 @ BMD Kougari Oval, 2pm
Wynnum Manly has a big incentive to deliver a special performance in front of their home fans, with players involved in the club’s remarkable 1975 season attending Sunday’s blockbuster. The ‘75 season was arguably the most successful in the Seagulls' 60-year history, with all three senior grades qualifying for the semi-finals for the first time, and the reserve and third grade teams winning both their respective premierships against the competition's minor premiers. Interestingly, Wynnum Manly’s Intrust Super Cup, FOGS Cup and Colts teams are all on target to play finals footy this year. The spotlight on Sunday though will well and truly fall on Paul Green’s top grade outfit which is in contention for a top three finish following last week’s 38-6 thumping of the Jets. The Seagulls will come up against a Cutters team determined to hit back after a six-point loss to the Northern Pride. The Cutters have named a formidable centre pairing, with Donald Malone to partner Josh Hannay. But coach Paul Bramley will again look to proven forwards Isaak Ah Mau and Liam McDonald to set the platform up front. The Cutters tasted success at BMD Kougari Oval last year and have won three of the five previous encounters against the baysiders.
SOUTHS LOGAN v IPSWICH JETS
Sunday, July 25 @ Davies Park, 3pm
Ian Lacey celebrates his 100th Queensland Cup match in what has been a disappointing season for the former Toowoomba and Aspley playmaker. Lacey’s season has been plagued by injury and a number of near misses, but the Jets halfback would love nothing more than to spring a surprise on Souths Logan. Ipswich would have to win at least three of its remaining five games to be a chance of avoiding the wooden-spoon. Sunday’s round 18 match could be a lopsided outing for the Jets unless they turn up with an improved attitude against a Magpies outfit that won’t hold back after consecutive defeats for the first time this year. The Magpies have been strengthened by the return of Queensland Residents star Brad Cross and will again have the services of Raiders players Brett Kelly, James Stuart and Marc Herbert. Souths Logan stalwart Quentin Laulu-Togagae needs one more try to become the first Magpies player to reach 50 tries in the Queensland Cup.
TWEED HEADS v SUNSHINE COAST
Sunday, July 25 @ Ned Byrne Field, 3pm
Tweed’s moment of truth arrives in Sunday’s 3pm clash against the red-hot Sea Eagles. A win would give the Seagulls a genuine chance of qualifying for the finals, particularly as three of their remaining four games are against teams who occupy the last three positions on the Intrust Super Cup ladder. However, a loss here would almost certainly spell the end of the Tweed’s late surge, which has grown legs in recent weeks following stirring victories over finals-bound teams Wynnum Manly and Souths Logan. Potential NRL call ups and injury concerns could make life tough for the Seagulls this weekend, although only a fool would write the Seagulls off given Brad Davis’ sparkling recent form. Like the Tweed, Brandon Costin’s Sunshine Coast outfit has had several disruptions with key personnel changes in recent week. But the Sea Eagles have stood tall with two terrific wins over Souths Logan and Redcliffe and suddenly look capable of repeating last year’s stunning premiership surge. The Coast sit in sixth spot on percentages but have the second best record in attack and the third best defensive record.
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