Round 13 QLD Wizard Cup Preview

ADAM Mogg and Steve Bell are allies in many ways - State of Origin teammates and members of the QLD Wizard Cup 10 Year Team. Yet this weekend they'll be barracking against each other as their old clubs, the Redcliffe Dolphins and Central Comets, go head-to-head.

EASTS v BURLEIGH
Langlands Park, Saturday June 10, 2.00pm  *Live on ABC TV
Referee: Justin Eastwood

THE STORY:  Already depleted through a stack of injuries, Easts is without teenage stars Shane Neumann, David Tyrrell and David Georgiou. The three Tigers are in camp with the Queensland Under 19 Maroons, preparing to face the PNG Kundus. Thankfully fullback Kev Stephensen is slated to make his return. In total contrast, Burleigh has named an unchanged side from that which beat Central 42-4.

THE STAT:  Three teams are stuck together on 9 points – Easts, Norths and Souths Logan. Burleigh is clinging to fifth on 10 points.

THE STAR: He may have been named in FOGS Cup, but all eyes will be on former Burleigh premiership-winning skipper Ali Brown. The no-nonsense prop returned from France last week and could be expected to join the top grade in coming weeks.

CHANGES:  EASTS – In: Kev Stephensen, Michael Jack, Mark McKenzie, Damian Petrie, Steve Goodhew. Out: David Tyrrell, David Georgiou, Shane Neumann, Alec Fata, Trevor Exton.
 BURLEIGH – No announced changes.

CHARGES: None.

Easts Tigers    
 1.  Kevin STEPHENSEN
 2.  John TAMANIKA
 3.  Mark McKENZIE
 4.  Donald MALONE
 5.  Michael JACK
 6.  Luke BRANIGHAN
 7.  Brett McPHERSON
13. Matt LOCKYER (c)
12. Steele RETCHLESS
11. Mark CANTONI
10. Cameron DURNFORD
 9.  Jamie TOMLINSON
 8.  Scott SIPPLE

Interchange:
14. Damian PETRIE
15. Marty ALLEN
16. Steve GOODHEW
17. Damian DURNFORD

Coach: Michael BOOTH 


Burleigh Bears      
 1.  Reggie CRESSBROOK
 2.  Trent PURDON
 3.  Chris BARNES
 4.  Jordan ATKINS
 5.  Dimitri PELO
 6.  Adam HAYDEN
 7.  Ryan GUNDRY
13. Robert APANUI
12. Adam HUTCHISON
11. Martin GRIESE
10. Shane O'FLANAGAN
 9.  Matthew DOEG
 8.  Brett O'FARRELL

Interchange:
14. Josh BLATCH
15. James GRIFFITHS
16. Jamie RUSSO
17. Marty MITCHELL

Coach: Jimmy LENIHAN
      



CENTRAL v REDCLIFFE
Browne Park, Saturday June 10, 7.30pm.
Referee: Michael Wise

THE STORY:  Smarting from a thumping at the hands of Burleigh last week, Central returns to its Rockhampton fort to take aim at the league-leading Redcliffe Dolphins. It will be a homecoming for many of the Dolphins such as Gerard Parle, Shannon Fish, Ryan Cullen and coach Anthony Griffin, all of whom have ties to Rockhampton.

THE STAT:  Central is notoriously much harder to beat on home soil than away. The Comets have only lost one game in Rockhampton this year. They also finish the regular season with three games in a row at home. If they can get a roll on now they’ll put themselves in good stead for a shot at the finals.

THE STAR: Five-eighth for Redcliffe through the opening rounds of 2006, Chris Fox has been named at centre for the Dolphins, a week after scoring three tries in the FOGS Cup. The young Wainuiomata product replaces injured veteran Greg Bourke.

CHANGES:  CENTRAL – In: Michael Fairweather, Dallas Williams. Out: Clint Rothery, Mick Esdale.
 REDCLIFFE – In: Chris Fox. Out: Greg Bourke.

CHARGES: None

Central Comets      
 1.  Jimmy McCONACHY
 2.  Michael FAIRWEATHER
 3.  Shannon STITT
 4.  Dallas WILLIAMS
 5.  McCONKIE TAUASA
 6.  Scott PORTER
 7.  Denny LAMBERT
13. Matt RUA
12. Wayne BARNETT
11. Tyron HAYNES
10. Marty OBORN
 9.  Jade WOGAND
 8.  Aaron SWEENEY

Interchange:
14. Herewini RANGI
15. Mark SINIULA
16. Ryan PETERS
17. Andrew DALE

Coach: Matt PARISH 


Redcliffe Dolphins     
 1.  Ryan CULLEN
 2.  Kaine MANIHERA
 3.  Chris FOX
 4.  Nick EMMETT
 5.  Alwyn SIMPSON
 6.  Rory BROMLEY
 7.  Michael ROBERTS
13. Gerard PARLE
12. Danny BURKE
11. Grant FLUGGE
10. Adam STARR
 9.  Shannon FISH
 8.  Troy LINDSAY (c)

Interchange:
14. Damian JENTZ
15. Richie RUSSELL
16. Tim YEE
17. Pat GARDNER

Coach: Anthony GRIFFIN
      

TWEED HEADS v SOUTHS LOGAN
Piggabeen Complex, Sunday June 11, 3.00pm.
Referee: Clayton Sharpe

THE STORY:  This match will be a big test of character for Tweed, a side that has traditionally struggled against Souths Logan. The Seagulls are also coming off a bruising 32-24 loss to Toowoomba and will be without centre Josh Vaughan, suspended for two weeks on a high tackle charge. Souths Logan urgently needs to arrest its own slide, having failed to taste victory in its last five matches.

THE STAT:  Souths Logan has won four of the last five encounters between the Magpies and Tweed. This includes a 36-6 result in Round Three.

THE STAR: A minute’s silence will be held for former Souths five-eighth Graeme Atherton, who passed away on Monday aged 59. A former Rothman’s Medal winner and Queensland representative, he had a long and loyal association with the Magpies. Atherton succeeded Wayne Bennett as coach of the black-and-whites.

CHANGES:  TWEED HEADS – In: Nathan Small, Chris Enahoro. Out: Jay Hampson, Josh Vaughan.
 SOUTHS LOGAN – In: Derek Fletcher, Jerry Ahern. Out: Dinny Kyle, Josh Essex.

CHARGES: TWEED HEADS – Josh Vaughan (Grade 2 Careless High Tackle, Guilty, 2wks + 55pts).
 SOUTHS LOGAN – Tim Cannard (Grade 1 Dangerous Throw, Early Plea, 0wks + 93pts).


Tweed Heads     
 1.  James WOOD
 2.  Scott ELLA
 3.  Jay McDERMOTT
 4.  Nathan SMALL
 5.  Nat BARNES
 6.  Brad DAVIS
 7.  Tim MACCAN
13. Matt POW
12. Tom PRICHARD
11. Selasi BERDIE
10. Roy FRIEND
 9.  Matt KING (c)
 8.  Matt AUSTIN

Interchange:
14. Jeff MOATE
15. Chris ENAHORO
16. Joe CUDMORE
17. Dean ALLEN

Coach: Steve MURPHY      


Souths Logan Magpies
 1.  Quentin LAULU TOGAGAE
 2.  Tyrone COPPEDGE
 3.  Michael ANSCHAU
 4.  Mase LAULU TOGAGAE
 5.  Derek FLETCHER
 6.  Brandon COSTIN
 7.  Phil DENNIS
13. Jason MITCHELL
12. Tanu WULF
11. Tim CANNARD
10. Josh GRIFFTH
 9.  Cameron JOYCE
 8.  Angus MARTIN

Interchange:
14. Stan FAU
15. Chris McGURK
16. Geno COSTIN
17. Jerry AHERN

Coach: Mark GLIDDON

NORTHS v NORTH QLD
Bishop Park, Sunday June 11, 3.00pm
Referee: Phil Haines

THE STORY:  Unable to win a game three weeks ago, Norths is now in a position where it is a realistic threat to the high-flying Young Guns. The Devils have good wins against Central and Easts behind them and are starting to welcome back players from injury. North Queensland has been untouchable for much of the year, but has a line-up unsettled by the Cowboys’ NRL commitments.

THE STAT:  Robert Tanielu played just short of 50 games for Norths in three seasons with the Devils. This year, in his first game against his former club, he played a particularly aggressive brand of football. He was later charged with a reckless high tackle, but was successful in downgrading it to careless.

THE STAR: With all the attention on the Norths’ other young star Israel Folau, Will Chambers has been slightly overlooked. Just turned 18, the Devils’ centre is a big talent for the future. Young Guns halfback Brady Payne is another 18-year-old in the spotlight.

CHANGES:  NORTHS – In: Smith Samau, Will Scanlon. Out: Brendan Afitu, Steve Franciscus.
NORTH QLD – In: Ashley Graham, Brady Payne. Out: Brett Firman, Greg Byrnes.

CHARGES: NORTHS – Trent Henrick (Grade 1 Careless High Tackle, Early Plea, 0wks + 56pts).


Norths Devils     
 1.  Smith SAMAU
 2.  Aaron MORGAN
 3.  Will CHAMBERS
 4.  Jackson NICOLAU
 5.  Chad LEACH
 6.  James AUBUSSON
 7.  Isaac KAUFMANN
13. Anthony BOYD
12. Sika MANU
11. Aaron BULOW
10. Scott ANDERSON
 9.  Brenton STONIER
 8.  Adam BLAIR

Interchange:
14. Trent HENRICK
15. Willie SCANLON
16. Nathan TURNER
17. Troy HANSEN

Coach: Wayne TRELEAVEN      
 

North Qld Young Guns 
 1.  Jason BARSLEY
 2.  Neil SWEENEY
 3.  Ashley GRAHAM
 4.  Mark HENRY
 5.  Jamie FRIZZO
 6.  Brent McCONNELL
 7.  Brady PAYNE
13. Ben LOWE
12. Mark DALLE CORT
11. Daniel STRICKLAND (c)
10. Ray CASHMERE
 9.  Clint AMOS
 8.  Robert TANIELU

Interchange:
14. Scott SMITH
15. Scott BOLTON
16. Jim ANDERSEN
17. Dean LIMPUS

Coach: Mick CRAWLEY
      

IPSWICH v WYNNUM MANLY
QLD Group Stadium, Sunday June 11, 3.00pm
Referee: Justin Davis

THE STORY:  Knowing this might be their last throw of the dice, the Jets fought tooth-and-nail to clear Joel Reithmuller and Geoff Chalk of judicial charges this week. Although Ipswich was successful in the case of Reithmuller, it has lost Chalk for one week. Wynnum Manly will also be depleted, missing Jim Ahmat and Josh Rovelli to suspensions.

THE STAT:  Among Wynnum Manly’s winless run of six straight matches at the start of the year was an 18-10 loss to Ipswich. So far that is the biggest winning margin by the Jets this year.

THE STAR: Last year Ricky Bird was an overwhelming winner of the QANTAS Player of the Year award. He missed last week’s 48-18 loss to Redcliffe and Ipswich needs him firing once more.

CHANGES:  IPSWICH – In: Ricky Bird. Out: Steven West, Geoff Chalk.
 WYNNUM MANLY – In: Daniel Evans, Fili Sofa, John Bruce. Out: Chris Young, Jim Ahmat, Josh Rovelli.

CHARGES: IPSWICH – Geoff Chalk (Grade 3 Careless High Tackle, Downgrade, 1wk + 21pts). Joel Reithmuller (Grade 2 Striking, Downgrade, 0wks + 75pts).
WYNNUM MANLY - Josh Rovelli (Grade 2 Striking, Early Plea, 1wk + 87pts), Jimmy Ahmat (Grade 1 Striking, Guilty, 1wk + 93pts)

Ipswich Jets    
 1.  Aaron WERTH
 2.  Ben McFADGEAN
 3.  Geoff CHALK
 4.  Chris SCANLAN
 5.  Jarrod BIGGS
 6.  Brendon MARSHALL
 7.  Ricky BIRD
13. Danny COBURN (c)
12. Joel REITHMULLER
11. Matthew McPHEE
10. Isaak AH MAU
 9.  Geoff HOLCOMBE
 8.  Cameron MULCAHY

Interchange:
14. Bevan HEUIR
15. Joe SANG-YUM
16. Andy POYNTER
17. Travis BAKER

Coach: Trevor GILLMEISTER      


 Wynnum Manly Seagulls 
 1.  Bill WYATT
 2.  Rodney BARBA
 3.  Simon PHILLIPS
 4.  Steve IRWIN
 5.  Tangi ROPATI
 6.  Daniel EVANS
 7.  Daniel SORBELLO
13. Luke DALZIEL DON
12. Darren BAIN
11. Gary WINTER
10. Matt ROSS
 9.  Albert TALIPEAU
 8.  Fili SOFA

Interchange:
14. Sam CRABB
15. John BRUCE
16. Zac CHISHOLM
17. Kerry SMITH

Coach: Neil WHARTON 
      

TOOWOOMBA – Bye

CHARGES: Charlie Fetoai (Grade 1 Dangerous Throw, Early Plea, 0wks + 93pts). Ben Vaeau (Grade 1 Tripping, Not Guilty).