Last year’s premiers, Redcliffe Dolphins, with the Bye this weekend will remain alone at the top of In Safe Hands Cup after this weekend’s round 15 fixtures. Hot on their heels are five clubs within four points of each other and Logan Brothers who are still in the hunt for finals contention.
Logan v Easts
Logan Brothers will take on the Easts Tigers brimming with confidence after last week’s convincing win against Wynnum Manly, taking it 38-28. The Easts Tigers held off the West Brisbane Panthers for a 16-all draw last weekend on the back of their loss to Wynnum the week before.
Logan Brothers received a touch-up against the Tigers last time these two sides met. However, the Brethren are building confidence and belief and will look to pounce on a Tigers outfit that is stuttering after a five-game winning streak.
The Brethren will need to be at their ball-hungry best again this weekend against Easts. The Tigers have the capability of putting 50-plus points on sides who are not at their best.
Logan need to win all of their remaining games to make the top five and after last week it’s not out of their capabilities. They will take the field with the same 17 from last week.
Easts were equal top two weeks ago and now sit amongst five teams separated by four points. They also have a relatively unchanged side from last week.
Both sides have venomous backlines from one to seven and this should be a ripper.
Wests v Valleys
West Brisbane Panthers rivalry continues this weekend at Emerson Park with the Valleys Diehards. The boot of Wests No.6 Kane Zalewski salvaged a draw against Easts last week after the Tigers scored four tries to Wests three in their drawn game.
Valleys are looking to return to the winner’s circle after back-to-back losses to the Dolphins and the Jets in the past fortnight, while the Panthers have played out two draws with Easts and Logan Brothers on either side of a bye in the past three weeks.
Both sides have a rumbling forward pack, Wests with Erik Koelbel and Jarrod Blanke up against the Diehards line-breakers Troyden Watene and Tama Koopu.
Ipswich v Wynnum Manly
Bright and early on Sunday for the Ipswich Jets, Wynnum Manly Seagulls clash on Sunday with kick-off at 10.15am at Davies Park.
The Jets come off a bye while Wynnum Manly are still looking for answers after Logan took two homeground points off the Seagulls last week at Kougari Oval.
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Ipswich had only finalised their team the morning of their previous game at Laidley against Valleys two weeks ago.
A similar predicament for the Seagulls who required players from the game before to settle on a final 17 last Saturday afternoon.
The Seagulls have the same backline that is yet to explode in attack, they will also need to be at their defensive best against the Jets who can score from their own dead ball line.
IN SAFE HANDS CUP - ROUND 15
July 8–9
Easts Tigers vs Logan Brothers at Suzuki Stadium, Saturday, July 8, 1pm
Easts Tigers
1. Adrian Henley 2. Michael Pouhila 3. Leon Ellia-Niukore 4. Jack Schaffer 5. Brandon Downey 6. Luke Lavelle 7. James Salter 8. Gene Ropoama 9. Charles Burchell 10. Andrew Thompson 11. Michael Egan 12. Tekina Vailea 13. Brandon George 14. Kevin Bell 19. Brett Ferguson 16. David McKenna 17. Matt Richards Coach: David Krause.
Logan Brothers
1. Paul Rokolati 2. Kieran Battelley 3. David Pritchard 4. Matt Parata 5. Evander Cummins 6. Conner Toia 7. LJ Waddups 8. Reece Summer 9. Kalolo Saitaua 10. Jordan Mago 11. Darcy Sims 12. Leon Panapa 13. Jack Anderson 14. Jack Walters 15. Ben Faulkner 16. Ty Etimani 17. Otu Talakai Coach: Steven Bretheton
Valleys Diehards vs West Brisbane Panthers at Emerson Park, Saturday, July 8, 3pm
Valleys Diehards
1.Andrew Lancaster 2. Stacey Everitt 3. Matt Paulo 4. Greg Miglio 5. Tom Collins 6. Aaron Clode 7. Rowan Klein 8. Tama Koopu 9. Chris Aiton 10. Mattias Hemuli 11. Ryley Kajewski 12. Liam Herrington 13. Troyden Watene 14. Joe McKenna 15. Paul Ivan 16. Rajan Opetia-Halls 17. Jacob Kelly Coach: Don Gailer
West Brisbane Panthers
1. Jake Dornan 2. Adam Wickins 3. Jamie Olds 4. Kennedy Pettyborne 5. Paul Ulberg 6. Kane Zalewski 7. Luke Straser 8. Erik Koelbel 9. Aaron Watson 10. Jarrod Blanke 11. Ashley Harawira 12. James Sharkie 13. Troy Swift 14. Dominic Biondi 15. Mitchell Hallinan 16. Ethan Marrinan 17. Shaun Tupou Coach: Wayne Weekes
Ipswich Jets vs Wynnum Manly Seagulls at Davies Park, Sunday, July 9, 10.15am
Ipswich Jets
1. Jayden Connors 2. Bernard Mosby 3. Raymond Baira 4. Isimeeli Hafoka 5. Rendy Mam-Gibuma 6. Chastyn Bowen 7. Denzel King 8. David Tahavalu 9. Peter Whittaker 10. Anthony Komboi 11. Tu’u Maori 12. Nathan Gaulton 13. Warren Glare 14. Liam Sue-Tin 15. Joel Fale 16. Andrew Telea 17. Jesse Miles Coach: Mark Bishop
Wynnum Manly Seagulls
1. Hayden Crowley 2. Christian Mika 3. Mitchell Buckett 4. Mitchell McMillan 5. Benaiah Bowie 6. Mitchell Ensby 7. Ben Cronin 8. Josh Hoffman 9. Corey Davis 10. Ben Shea 11. Kelly Tate 12. Brad Mana 13. Andrew Clayton 14. Jacob Paulo 15. Semisi Ahoafi 16. Carlos Smith 17. Te Rore Puke Coach: Ron Troutman
Redcliffe Dolphins have the bye.
