Courtesy of the QRL
SIX captains walked on to the Suncorp Stadium turf today and all of them had the same burning ambition – to be there on grand final day.
The team representatives – Phil Dennis (Souths Logan Magpies), Mark Leafa (Norths Devils), Daly Cherry-Evans (Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles), Chris Sheppard (Northern Pride), Darren Bain (Wynnum Manly Seagulls) and Neil Budworth (Mackay Cutters) – were together to launch the Intrust Super Cup 2010 finals series.
For reigning premiers the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles, another grand final appearance would highlight their remarkable performances in the competition so far.
After a few rough patches at the start of the season, they have come back with force and have surged into third spot on the ladder thanks to their late season form.
“We have won eight games so it has been a good run,” Cherry-Evans said. “But I am not worried about it being time for a loss – I think you make your own luck and your own fate.”
Another team who are coming into the finals series with an impressive winning streak to their name is the Northern Pride.
It is Sheppard’s farewell season and he would love nothing more than a fairytale ending – although he is well aware of the hard work ahead for his team.
“I would love to finish the season on a high – that is the plan – but we have to see how we go,” he said.
“We got close last year and finished third the year before that so we would like to go one better.”
The Magpies finished the year as minor premiers for the second year in a row and while that is an achievement worth savouring, Dennis wants to take home the double this year.
And he knows just how good it feels to win the Queensland Cup title – having been part of the team that took the honours in 2008.
“I never thought I would win one, so to have done that with a side that was running last for so many years was great,” Dennis said. “I would like to have that feeling again.”
The Norths Devils also know that winning feeling – with the club having taken out this year’s Spotless Club Championship.
And while the Devils have been consistent all year – finishing in the top two – Leafa thinks his team will have to focus squarely on their own performances from here on and not worry about what their opposition can do.
“We can be our own worst enemy and we know that every team is capable of winning from No. 1 right through to 6,” he said.
Another team who have shown consistency this year is the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and while they have a tough path ahead of them to get to the grand final, Bain is hoping for a sea of red, white and green to be on display on grand final day.
“We have got some really good supporters and to get here for the grand final; for ourselves and for our supporters would be a great experience,” he said.
Without a doubt, the surprise packet of the finals series is the Mackay Cutters.
Wooden spooners in 2009, they have turned their season around this year to secure an unlikely finals berth.
“We have a new coach in Paul Bramley and he has really changed the culture at the club ... but he has also brought enjoyment to the club,” Budworth said.
The Intrust Super Cup semi finals kick off this weekend with the Sunshine Coast to host the Mackay Cutters on Saturday at 2pm and Souths Logan at home to the Norths Devils at 3pm on Sunday.
The final game of the weekend will be played at Barlow Park in Cairns on Sunday, at 3.30pm, between the Northern Pride and the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
The grand final will be played at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, September 19 with kickoff at 2pm.
© Mackay Cutters 2010. All rights reserved.
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