BURLEIGH BEARS v SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES
Pizzey Park on Saturday, August 16 - 3pm
Referee: Nick Morel
Head to Head: Burleigh 19 Souths-Logan 11 Drawn 3
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #BEARSvSLM
Eighth plays ninth when the Burleigh Bears host the Souths Logan Magpies at Pizzey Park this Saturday. The game will take on extra significance as the Bears team up with Livin to raise awareness for depression, bipolar and suicide prevention. Livin was co-founded by Burleigh Bear Casey Lyons and on Saturday afternoon, the Bears will don specially designed jerseys to be auctioned off after the game. On the field, it has been three matches between drinks for the Bears, who last week played their 400th Cup game in a disappointing loss to bogey side this year Redcliffe. As a result, coach Jimmy Lenihan has rung in the changes, with Corbin Kiernan, Daniel Schwass, Shane Gray and Jake Hughes all coming into the side, while Matt Beddow (hamstring), Khan Ahwang, Dane Clarke and Francis Veukiso make way. The Magpies meanwhile welcome Grant Cooke and Zac Lemberg back into the starting side in place of Tim Brooks and Darcy Wright respectively, with Daniel Tamou added to an extended bench. Souths Logan started strongly last week against the minor premiers the Northern Pride in their match at Mareeba and will look to improve on that effort in Rhys Jacks’ 50th Cup game.
SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS v NORTHS DEVILS
Stockland Stadium on Saturday, August 16 – 4pm
Referee: Robert Gallacher
Head to Head: Norths 8 Sunshine Coast 3
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #SCFvDEVILS
The Norths Devils will look to snap a nine-game losing streak when they meet a Sunshine Coast Falcons side who despite some sterling efforts, still only have the one win for the season. The Falcons went close to an upset victory against the Mackay Cutters in their Get in the Game Country Week match at Moranbah last weekend and will fancy their chances against the Devils. However, if they are to do so, they will need to defy their head-to-head record, with the Sunshine Coast having lost six of the past seven meetings between the clubs. Coming off the bye, Norths will be out to recapture their early season form which included a 38-0 victory over the Falcons in Round 4. The Falcons have made one change from last week’s side, with Jacob Samoa returning in place of Phil Taylor in the back row. Devils coach Mark Gliddon has named an unchanged line-up from their Round 22 loss to PNG, but there may yet be some late inclusions from the Brisbane Broncos.
MACKAY CUTTERS v NORTHERN PRIDE
Stadium Mackay on Saturday, August 16 – 6pm
Referee: Chris Anderson
Head to Head: Pride 10 Mackay 4
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #MCvPRIDE
The Northern Pride secured their second successive minor premiership and fourth win on the trot in their come-from-behind win over Souths Logan last weekend. Pride coach Jason Demetriou became only the second coach behind Rick Stone (Burleigh Bears) in 2003/04 to achieve back-to-back minor premierships. The competition heavyweights take on North Queensland rivals and defending premiers the Mackay Cutters, who just fell short of the ladder-leaders in their round 10 encounter, 22-18. This ‘local’ derby is always a hotly-contested affair and one both sides will be looking forward to. The Pride were forced to make changes again this week, with Joel Riethmuller ruled out with a hamstring complaint. Manly Sea Eagles bound forward Blake Leary returns to the starting side and Jordan Biondi-Odo comes onto the bench. Prop Ben Spina was ruled out of last weekend’s game after suffering a workplace injury to his hand and is unlikely to play again this season. For the Cutters, Liam Taylor returns as does Chris Ulugia, in place of Ross Bella and James Uhatafe respectively. Mitch Day moves into the starting side over Rohan Ahern, while Nico Mataia and Dave Peterson come onto the bench.
CQ CAPRAS v REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS
Browne Park on Saturday, August 16 - 6pm
Referee: Liam Kennedy
Head to Head: Redcliffe 26 Central 7 Drawn 2
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #CQCvPHINS
The Dolphins will be aiming to post back-to-back wins for the first time since May this Saturday when they travel to Rockhampton to take on the CQ Capras. However, in recent times, this match-up has produced a tight result, with the past three games between the sides resulting in two draws and a six-point win to Central. Redcliffe were impressive in their 38-16 win over Burleigh last weekend, with youthful exuberance helping them post their big score. This week, coach Troy Lindsay has named the same 17 from that match, including young hooker Alex Bishop who enjoyed a solid Intrust Super Cup debut. Following a high injury toll, the Capras have also relied on youth to provide spark for their season and they impressed in patches in their match against the high-flying Tigers in Emerald last weekend. Marlon Doak and Sam Kitchin are the new faces this week, with Matt Mizzi and Garrett Field omitted. This weekend’s match will take place in Capras Old Boys’ reunion week, with many former players making the journey to cheer the home side. It is important to link to the past and the club are calling on former Capras to come along and show support in their final home game.
WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS v PNG HUNTERS
BMD Kougari Oval on Sunday, August 17 - 2pm* (Live on Channel 9/WIN/NBN)|
Referee: Tim Rutherford
Head to Head: PNG 1 Wynnum 0
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #WYNvPNG
After four-straight home wins, the Hunters will be away from PNG shores for the defining match of their promising debut Intrust Super Cup season. An upset victory over the Seagulls at BMD Kougari Oval would put the Hunters on the verge of an historic finals appearance. Wynnum moved into third spot on the ladder following last weekend’s convincing 32-4 win over Tweed, but such is the tightness of this year’s competition, the Baysiders are not yet guaranteed a top five berth. Hooker Alehana Mara and Graham Clark have been named to return for Jon Buchanan’s Seagulls. PNG coach Michael Marum has named an unchanged starting side from last Saturday’s impressive 40-22 victory over the Ipswich Jets. Returning from injury is Adam Korave, one of seven players jostling for positions on the four man bench. A massive crowd is tipped to pack into Wynnum’s home ground for the Channel 9 match of the round which will also be beamed into Papua New Guinea by Imparja, EMTV, Hitron and Channel 8.
EASTS TIGERS v TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS
Langlands Park on Sunday, August 17 – 2pm
Referee: Clayton Sharpe
Head to Head: Tweed 14 Easts 10
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #TIGESvTHS
Live stream: Tiger TV with Mike Higgison and Troy Robbins http://tigertv.net/
Tigers skipper Steve Thorpe will play in his 100th Cup game this weekend in what could prove to be an important showdown against Tweed Heads. While both sides sit inside the congested top five, a loss here and a win to the PNG Hunters across town could place pressure on their position. After enjoying a run of 12 games undefeated, the Seagulls’ momentum has been halted with two straight losses, while the Tigers are building at the right time, winning four of their past five matches. This week, Mitchell Garbutt is a heavyweight addition to the team, with fellow Storm team-mate Joel Romelo another inclusion. Liam Tyson and Dwayne Craft make way. For Tweed, their 32-4 loss against Wynnum Manly last weekend was doubly costly, with Caleb Binge needing scans on his knee and centre Luke Dumas to also miss this game. Fullback Jamal Fogarty (although named) is also under a cloud, while Reg Saunders is out for the next three weeks having taken an early guilty plea for a dangerous throw. Blake Anderson and Chris Piper are the new additions. However, Albert Kelly has again been raised as a possible late inclusion for the Gulls, as he attempts to overcome a leg injury.
