The in Safe Hands Cup enters Round 17 in a delicate state for some teams this weekend.
Such is the closeness of the Brisbane Rugby League competition, some interesting scenarios are on offer.
The Ipswich Jets and Logan Brothers will need to win to stay in touch with the final five. A loss could see finals appearances disappear.
Both are more than capable of putting teams to the sword, but it now has to happen every week.
With Easts having the bye and banking three points, Valleys, who take on the Brethren, will look to distance themselves from a bottom two finish. Redcliffe will remain solo at the top regardless of their match up with the Jets.
West Brisbane Panthers take on Wynnum Manly in the match of the round. Both sit equal second on 36 points and only separated by 31 points on the ‘for and against’ column.
The Panthers have named a near unchanged side that travelled to Civic Park last week, where they defeated Logan Brothers 28-22.
It wasn’t a pretty win but coach Wayne Weekes believes that win for his boys will give them the confidence to take the points against the Seagulls. The big men will need to step up against a massive Wynnum/Manly pack.
While the Panthers defence has been solid, they are looking to their attack to put opposition sides away.
There is only 25 points difference between the points for and the points against. All three of Wests’ back three were outstanding in attack last week, with both wingers crossing in Mitch Hallinan and Jamie Olds.
Kennedy Pettyboune has been his menacing best on the right side, so Olds will be looking to capitalise on the slippery centres breaks.
Wynnum Manly will still have some visible bruising from last week’s Bayside Bash Up with the Dolphins.
The Seagulls club have been cruelled by injuries to halfbacks, in all, eight are out with injury. Reese McKenzie-O’Brien make his debut, not an easy initiation against one of the Panthers best in Luke Strasser.
Seagulls coach Ron Troutman has named a massive pack and bench. While the hard work for Wynnum Manly maybe getting through the Panthers pack, they still have to get past the best pound for pound defender in the In Safe Hands Cup, the Blonde Bone Rattler, Adam Wickins at full back. Wickins has been cutting down who ever heads his way. Size does not matter.
It will be a massive day at Kev McKell with six delicious fixtures served up, including the NYC clash between the Broncos and Canterbury, to the final game between the Queensland and NSW Firefighters.
Redcliffe have made some changes to their side from last week to take on the Jets. Ipswich, while not fielding a massive pack, have mobility on their side from 1-17. They are electric out wide, and with their fair share of footy and a much needed win, the Jets could cause an upset, if one could call it that in this competition.
Logan Brothers are at home again this week. They will be back to full-strength after a flow on effect from Origin III, through the Broncos and Souths Logan. The Brethren fielded only 16 last week with seven forwards and only one half taking the field. Connor Toia returns to join LJ Waddups in the middle.
Valleys return after the bye last week. In a stop-start draw for the Diehards, they will now look for momentum for the run to the finals.
They will need to be on their guard at Civic Park. Their last appearance there, the home-side registered its first win in round four, 20-16.
IN SAFE HANDS CUP - ROUND 17
Saturday 22 July
Logan Brothers vs Valleys Diehards at Civic Park, Saturday 22 July 4.00pm
Logan Brothers
1. Evander Cummins 2. Kieran Battelley 3. David Pritchard 4. Matt Parata 5. Chris Tauelangi 6. Connor Toia 7. LJ Waddups 8. Rhys Melville 9. Jack Walters 10. Jordan Mago 11. Darcy Sims 12. Leon Panapa 13. Jack Anderson 14. Kalolo Saitaua 15. Ben Faulkner 16. Charlie Kaipati 17. Otu Talakai Coach: Steven Bretheton
Valleys Diehards
1.Andrew Lancaster 2. Stacey Everitt 3. Matt Paulo 4. Greg Miglio 5. Tom Collins 6. Aaron Clode 7. Rowan Klein 8. Tama Koopu 9. Chris Aiton 10. Mattias Hemuli 11. Ryley Kajewski 12. Liam Herrington 13. Troyden Watene 14. Joe McKenna 15. Paul Ivan 16. Rajan Opetia-Halls 17. Jacob Kelly Coach: Don Gailer
West Brisbane Panthers vs Wynnum Manly at Kev Mc Kell Oval Saturday 22 July 4.45pm
West Brisbane Panthers
1. Adam Wickins 2. Mitchell Hallinan 3. Shaun Tupou 4. Kennedy Pettyborne 5. Jamie Olds 6. Kane Zalewski 7. Luke Strasser 8. Erik Koelbel 9. Aaron Watson 10. Jared Blanke 11. Ashley Harawira 12. Dominic Biondi 13. Troy Swift 14. Jake Kelly 15. Ethan Marrinan 16. Josh Afoa 17. TBA Coach: Wayne Weekes
Wynnum Manly
1.Matthew Milson 2. Christian Mika 3. Mitchell Buckett 4. Mitchell McMillan 5. Benaiah Bowie 6. Reece McKenzie-O’Brien 7. Ben Cronin 8. Josh Hoffman 9. Corey Davis 10. Andrew Clayton 11. Kelly Tate 12. Brad Mana 13. Cody McIntosh 14. Te Pirihi Puke-Riki 15. Semisi Ahofai 16. Jacob Paulo 17. Te Rore Puke 18. Carlos Smith (one to be omitted) Coach: Ron Troutman
Redcliffe Dolphins vs Ipswich Jets at Mathieson Oval Saturday 22 July 3.00pm
Redcliffe
1.Kyle Van Klaveren 2. Will Partridge 3. Sonny Munroe 4. Corbin Daniels 5. Shaun Rees 6. Mitch Wilson 7. Reece Braun 8. Agassi Stowers 9. Hayden Hansen 10. Rulon Nutira 11. Josh Rudolfe 12. Nick Ritter 13. Sheldon Pitama 14. Sam Leach 15. Mitch McPaul 16. Ben King 17. Elliott Thompson Coach: Daniel Green
Ipswich Jets
1. Jayden Connors 2. Bernard Mosby 3. Brendan Marshall 4. Ben White 5. Rendy Mam-Gibuma 6. Chastyn Bowen 7. Denzel King 8. Ben Hetra 9. Peter Whittaker 10. Rowan Winterfield 11. Nathan Gaulton 12. Hugh Sedger 13. Tu’u Maori 15. Raymond Baira 16. Anthony Komboi 17. Fine-Callum Faingaa 18. David Tahavalu 19. Jesse Miles (one to be omitted) Coach: Mark Bishop
Easts Tigers have the bye.
