IPSWICH JETS v SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS
North Ipswich Reserve on Saturday, August 29 – 3pm
Referee: Michael Gordon
Head-to-Head: Ipswich 9 Sunshine Coast 3 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #JETSvSCF #TurnToMe
Ipswich will attempt to seal third spot, but their immediate finals fate won’t entirely rest in their own hands. Should both the Jets and Wynnum Manly (who play Easts) register final round victories, third spot will go to the team with the superior for and against record.
The Jets currently have a slender four point buffer, a scenario that sets the scene for a fascinating final round. On the other hand, the Sunshine Coast Falcons might blow it all out of the water with an upset win.
Following an impressive effort against premiership front-runners Townsville, the visiting Falcons will fancy their chances of doing just that. However, they will need to do it without key players Ben Hampton and Tom Murphy.
Hampton is serving a one match suspension for Dangerous Contact, while Murphy is out for two games after pleading guilty to a grade 2 Dangerous Throw. Jets officials are anticipating a bumper crowd for the home clash, with a large contingent of Old Boys attending the pre-match Sportsman’s Luncheon. Ipswich has won the past seven games between these two sides. The match will be Rod Griffin’s 150th in the Intrust Super Cup.
NORTHERN PRIDE v CQ CAPRAS
Barlow Park on Saturday, August 29 – 5.30pm
Referee: Jarrod Cole
Head-to-Head: Pride 10 Central 5
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PRIDEvCQC #TurnToMe
The Barlow Park faithful will farewell some favourite sons this Saturday, with the match serving as the last home game for stalwarts Sam Obst, Semi Tadulala and co-captains Brett Anderson and Jason Roos. Alex Starmer – who opted out of this match due to a shoulder injury – will also be farewelled after the game.
The Pride confirmed their spot in this year’s finals series following their win over Norths in Bamaga in Round 24, but will be looking to take positive momentum into their Week 1 elimination clash by posting a win. Their opponents this weekend are the Capras who would love nothing more than to finish on a high by claiming the scalp of a team contesting the finals.
However their five-eighth Matt Minto is carrying a sternum injury; but is determined to play in his side’s final game of the year. Half Dean Allen has been named as 18th man for the game. Following his try last weekend, fullback Linc Port has levelled the Pride season try scoring record of 20 held by Tom Humble (2009).
This match will also be the 100th Cup game for Ryan Ghietti (including his time at Redcliffe) and the 50th game for the Pride (including the NRL State Championship) for Sheldon Powe-Hobbs.
SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES v MACKAY CUTTERS
Brandon Park, Acacia Ridge on Saturday, August 29 – 6pm
Referee: Nick Morel
Head-to-Head: Souths Logan 10 Mackay 4
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #SLMvMC #TurnToMe
Kim Williams will coach the Mackay Cutters for the final time before linking with the Central Queensland Capras next year. While the back half of this season has not gone to plan, Williams can take heart from his achievements at the club, which include a maiden 2013 premiership.
Josh Hannay’s Magpies will be looking to finish their season in style as well. However, it won’t be a long-off season for halfback Rhys Jacks, who will represent Canada later this year in the World Cup qualifiers. The Canadian team will also include his brother Ryley Jacks, with Tweed Heads’ Aaron Zimmerle the coach.
In milestone news, consistent Magpies performer Scott Doyle needs one more point to pass Rickie Dodd (154) for most points in a Souths Logan season. Mackay’s Josh Chudleigh, a potent force out of dummy half this year, requires one more try to equal the Cutters’ best of 17 held by Bureta Faraimo in 2013.
TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS v REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS
Jack Manski Oval on Sunday, August 30 – 1.40pm* (Live on Channel 9 / WIN / NBN)
Referee: Clayton Sharpe
Head-to-Head: Townsville 1 Redcliffe 0
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #TSVBvPHINS #TurnToMe
Townsville Blackhawks are expected to wrap up the Intrust Super Cup minor premiership in Sunday’s television match at Jack Manski Oval. The competition newcomers can seal the deal with a win over the Dolphins, whose faint finals hopes evaporated last weekend.
A win or draw would ensure the Blackhawks host the Week 2 finals match against the Hunters at their Townsville fortress. Kristian Woolf’s team has won eight of nine home games in 2015, with their only defeat coming against the Hunters in Round 11.
In their first encounter this year, Townsville put the cleaners through the Dolphins on their way to a comprehensive 40-10 victory. Redcliffe have got their act together since then, with the form of livewire fullback Marlon Doak a key plank in their resurgence.
Doak scored a hat-trick in a losing team last weekend. The match will be Troy Lindsay’s final game in charge of the Phins, with Anthony Griffin to take over the reins in 2016.
EASTS TIGERS v WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS
Tapout Energy Stadium on Sunday, August 30 – 2pm
Referee: Peter Gough
Head-to-Head: Easts 20 Wynnum 19 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #TIGESvWYN #TurnToMe
Livestream: Tiger TV + Seagulls TV
Elimination final hosting rights are set to go on the line when these two great rivals go head-to-head in this Sunday afternoon blockbuster.
Both the Tigers and the Seagulls have safely ensured a place in the finals, but have not had the attention of the more flamboyant sides in the top six like the Hunters, Blackhawks and Jets.
The Tigers are unchanged following last weekend’s win over Redcliffe – with the inclusion of Foisa Peni on the extended bench the only addition.
David Stagg – who announced earlier this week that he would retire from football at the end of the season – has been named in the backrow for the Seagulls; while prop Ben Shea is also set to make his return to the side. They replace Brad Mana and the injured Aaron Rockley.
If you want to secure yourself a place in the grandstand for this game – get in quick! There’s bound to be a good crowd come in for this important match.
In a case of déjà vu; last year these two teams met to conclude their regular season – and in that corresponding game, the Seagulls won 18-14 at Langlands; in the first of three games in 22 days played between the two sides.
PNG HUNTERS v BURLEIGH BEARS
Sir John Guise Stadium, Port Moresby on Sunday, August 30 – 2.30pm
Referee: Chris Anderson
Head-to-Head: PNG 2 Burleigh 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PNGvBEARS #TurnToMe
Still locked in a battle for the minor premiership and the right to host the major semi final in Week 1 with the Blackhawks, the Hunters need to win against the Bears this weekend and hope the Dolphins can produce an upset in Townsville.
Burleigh are rested from the bye and also come into this game with some winning momentum, having claimed a come-from-behind win over the Sunshine Coast in their Country Week match.
However, injuries have taken their toll and coach Jim Lenihan has made a number of changes to his line-up for this journey up to PNG.
Dimitri Pelo and Todd Seymour come into the backline while Dave Hala starts at prop. Sam Swift and Mitch Sharp come onto the bench. Corbin Kiernan, Nathaniel Peteru (Titans), Ayden Lee, Louie Fanene and Josh Ailaomai (injury) have been omitted.
For the Hunters, halfback Ase Boas returns to the line-up after sitting out last week’s thrilling 28-28 draw against Mackay. Second rower Brandy Peter will also return from injury, while David Lapua has been named on the bench.
The PNG Hunters website contains some details about new entry procedures into the stadium this weekend.
NORTHS DEVILS v TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS
Bishop Park on Sunday, August 30 – 2.30pm
Referee: Tim Rutherford
Head-to-Head: Norths 13 Tweed 10 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #DEVILSvTHS #TurnToMe
The season for the Devils and the Seagulls will draw to a close with this game and both clubs will hoping to farewell it in style.
While both sides will be disappointed to be finishing early, they have had similar seasons in many respects with injuries and the mid-season transfer of key players all playing their part. However, they have also blooded some new, young talent which will stand their clubs in good stead for next season.
On the field, there is one listed change each for both sides, with prop Matt Mizzi returning for Michael Molo for Norths. Dale Copley was replaced by Jack Reed in the centres for the Broncos last night, meaning he may make a final appearance for Norths this year.
The Seagulls are also substituting a forward for this game with Ethan Price to start in the front row, replacing Matt Robinson.
The Devils will be hosting their annual reunion day on Sunday and have a range of entertainment planned for after the game including a pop-up bar and a band.
Norths only need 12 more points to become only the second team in the Cup to score 12000 points. Redcliffe were the first and have scored 12879.
