A tireless performance from veteran David Stagg helped guide Wynnum Manly to a 26-16 victory over Mackay Cutters on Saturday.
Stagg, who has amassed 205 NRL games in a 13-year career with Brisbane and Canterbury, played the majority of the match in the middle of the park and picked up two tries.
Seagulls’ coach Jon Buchanan paid tribute to the backrower’s experience in difficult conditions at Mackay Stadium.
“His composure was great for us, he’s done it all before at NRL level,” he said.
“He’s always one of our most consistent players and he does a lot for us on the field that most wouldn’t even notice.”
Stagg played one NRL match in an Origin-depleted Broncos side in Round 11, but has been overlooked for the next generation of forwards.
However, Buchanan believes the 31-year-old still has value.
“I’m not sure what Wayne (Bennett) has in mind for him, but I’m sure he could do another similar job for them if required.”
Wynnum Manly opened the scoring, but had their lead cut to two when Cutters’ wrecking ball Pulou Vaituutuu crashed over in front of his home crowd.
The visitors drew out to a 20-4 lead before Mackay’s Sam Clune reduce the deficit to 20-10 at the break.
A hefty breeze hampered play in a defence-orientated second half which finished a try a-piece.
The withdrawal of Peter Gubb forced the Seagulls into a late backline reshuffle, with Matthew Smith coming into the halves and regular five-eighth Patrick Templeman pushing into the outside backs.
Young forward Brad Mana made his Intrust Super Cup debut off the bench.
“It’s something we pride ourselves on at this club,” Buchanan said of his side’s depth.
“We should get some more troops back next week with Brendon Gibb returning from suspension, as well as Gubb and Andrew Rockley from injury.”
The Cutters remain in sixth position, equal on 18 competition points with Northern Pride and Burleigh.
They travel south to face Sunshine Coast in Round 17, while Wynnum Manly take on Norths Devils at Bishop Park.
WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 26 (David Stagg 2, Daniel Ogden, Patrick Templeman, Jon Grieve tries; Matthew Seamark 3 goals) def MACKAY CUTTERS 16 (Sam Clune, Cameron Cullen, Pulou Vaituutuu tries; Liam Taylor 2 goals) at Stadium Mackay.
Final Teams
Mackay Cutters: 1. Sam Clune 16. Jordan Pereira 3. Ben Jones 4. Justin Tavae 5. Buchanan Rawhiti 6. Cameron Cullen 7. Liam Taylor 2. Brad Lupi 9. Josh Chudleigh 18. Pulou Vaituutuu 11. Brenden Treston 12. Tyson Martin 13. Chris Gesch (c) 15. Aleki Falepaini 10. Sam Hoare 17. Coen Hess 20. Joss Boyton
Wynnum Manly Seagulls: 1. Daniel Ogden 3. Matthew Grieve 4. Mitchell Buckett 5. Greg Eden 6. Patrick Templeman 7. Matthew Seamark 20. Ben Shea 9. Alehana Mara 10. Tim Natusch (c) 18. Matthew Smith 12. Jon Grieve 13. Mitchell Frei 14. John Te Reo 15. David Stagg 16. Tanu Wulf 17. Stephen Coombe 11. Brad Mana
