Finals Week 3 Preview
Redcliffe Dolphins v Sunshine Coast Falcons
Dolphin Oval on Sunday, September 17 – 2.30pm* (Live on Ch 9 - coverage from 2pm)
Referee: Jarrod Cole
Assistant Referee: Nick Pelgrave
Head-to-Head: Redcliffe 11, Sunshine Coast 7
Head-to-Head Finals: Redcliffe 1, Sunshine Coast 0
Finals Experience: Redcliffe Dolphins (played 46, won 28, lost 18); Sunshine Coast (played 9, won 6, lost 3)
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PHINSvSCF
It’s do or die time this weekend for the Redcliffe Dolphins and Sunshine Coast Falcons. The two clubs have a strong rivalry already, and this is set to grow with the winner earning their place in the 2017 decider at Suncorp Stadium where they will face a fired-up PNG Hunters side. They have met twice already this season, with Redcliffe proving much too strong in their first meeting in Round 8 recording a 46-28 at Dolphin Oval, with Christian Hazard netting himself a hat-trick. However, the Falcons got one back with their close 28-24 victory in Round 18 in front of them home fans. That win was the Sunshine Coast's first in five games against Redcliffe. This time around however, they have another obstacle to overcome as they have gone down in their past six games at Dolphin Oval. Their last win there was back in 2009. The Dolphins have shown themselves to be near impossible to defeat at home, recording 11 wins from their 12 home games this year. In fact, their only loss was by one point to Wynnum Manly. The Sunshine Coast though, have experienced much success on the road, winning eight of their 12 away games this year. Interestingly, the two sides met at this exact stage last year, with the Dolphins winning their way through to challenge Burleigh. According to their named team, the Dolphins have nine players in their side from last year’s preliminary final (Jack Ahearn, Sam Anderson, Daniel Bridge, Tyson Cleal, Christian Hazard, Curtis Johnston, Shane Pumipi, Zach Strasser and Aaron Whitchurch). The Sunshine Coast have six named players in their side (Jye Ballinger, Alex Bishop, Jon Grieve, Ryley Jacks, Tui Kamikamica and Joe Stimson).
*Statistics provided by Brad Tallon
