BMD Premiership Round 5 preview
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The 2023 BMD Premiership grand final is not something the Wynnum Manly Seagulls will revisit ahead of this weekend’s rematch.
The 2023 runners-up will meet the reigning premiers in the Burleigh Bears on Sunday at BMD Kougari Oval from 12pm.
It will be the first time they play each other since last year’s premiership decider, in which the Bears triumphed 24-10.
But for Wynnum Manly coach Ron Troutman, the only reason his team will look back this week is not to look at that loss, but to remember how strongly they built through the 2023 season and how they want to replicate that this year.
The Seagulls have started season 2024 with three wins and just one loss, sitting in second place on the BMD Premiership ladder.
The Bears meanwhile have fallen short on two occasions and sit in sixth on the ladder, making Sunday’s clash an important one if they want to remain within reach of the top four as the competition goes past the halfway point.
Match: WM Seagulls v Bears
Round 5 -
home Team
WM Seagulls
4th Position
away Team
Bears
5th Position
Venue: BMD Kougari Oval, Brisbane
“We haven’t dove into it deep or anything like that,” Troutman said of last year’s grand final.
“We’re just trying to make sure we build this season in a similar way to what we did last year and get us in the same sort of position to be pushing for that grand final spot, hopefully.
“We had a nice tough game against Norths last week and we’re expecting the same from Burleigh, to be honest.
“They have a very smart couple of halves there and we’re expecting a nice, tough game from them again.”
Troutman has been forced to make a few changes this weekend, with Caitlin Tanner out for concussion.
Sienna Lofipo, who has been playing mostly at lock this year, will move into the halves to partner Jayde Herdegen, while Emma Barnes returns at hooker.
The Seagulls are also dealing with a number of key injuries including Destiny Mino-Sinapati (knee) and Julia Robinson (shoulder).
But despite the injury interruptions, Troutman has been impressed with how his team has progressed so far and what they’re building towards.
“We’re doing well,” he said.
“We’re very happy with the way we’ve been defending. We’ve been very strong there. Our attack has some improvement in it yet.
“It’s about knowing our structure and finding a little bit of fluency. We’ve just been a bit clunky.
“Sienna has been outstanding for us at 13 and gives us more strike power there and an extra ball player.
“I’ve been really happy with the way Jayda (Lofipo) is going forward this year as well while Ellie (Draper) has been great for us and she’s back at fullback this week.”
Match: Clydesdales v Cutters
Round 5 -
home Team
Clydesdales
6th Position
away Team
Cutters
1st Position
Venue: Toowoomba Sports Ground, Toowoomba
Also on Sunday, the Western Clydesdales will take on the Mackay Cutters, who remain undefeated after the opening four rounds.
Opening the Round 5 action on Saturday will be the Sunshine Coast Falcons playing host to the Souths Logan Magpies.
Match: Falcons v Magpies
Round 5 -
home Team
Falcons
10th Position
away Team
Magpies
8th Position
Venue: Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast
At the same time at Bishop Park, Norths Devils will meet the Central Queensland Capras.
Match: Devils v Capras
Round 5 -
home Team
Devils
3rd Position
away Team
Capras
9th Position
Venue: Bishop Park, Brisbane
And in the final Saturday game, the Brisbane Tigers go up against the Tweed Seagulls.
Match: Tigers v Seagulls
Round 5 -
home Team
Tigers
7th Position
away Team
Seagulls
2nd Position
Venue: Totally Workwear Stadium, Brisbane
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