The preliminary final for the Rugby League Gold Coast A Grade competition will kick off this weekend.
The Bilambil Jets were knocked out of the finals race by the Runaway Bay Seagulls 28-24 in last weekend’s elimination match.
Tugun Seahawks v Runaway Bay Seagulls
The Tugun Seahawks and Runaway Bay Seagulls will go head-to-head this week to fight for the final spot in the 2017 Rugby League Gold Coast A Grade Grand Final. A close and physical match lies ahead as in previous games; the two teams have only been separated by a couple of points. The Seahawks defeated the Seagulls 22-20 in Round 2 and the Seagulls defeated the Seahawks 29-28 in Round 11. Runaway Bay head into this week’s final following their 28-24 win against the Bilambil Jets last weekend. The Seagulls are excited to play finals football after being knocked out in the first-round last year. “We have started seeing some consistency in our playing roster which is great timing for the finals,” Seagulls coach Clinton Toopi said. Toopi hopes the team can match the intensity of the Seahawks and knows they will need to be physical in the middle. Jamie Anderson, Jake Powell and Falani Arkell will be players to look out for.
The Tugun Seahawks were defeated 24-4 last weekend by the Burleigh Bears, and so are motivated to defeat the Seagulls and rectify their loss. “We went away from our game plan and Burleigh just lined up really well,” Seahawks coach Martin Griese said. Not playing to their top form last weekend, the Seahawks were battered and bruised and need to reassess their structure this week against the Seagulls. With a couple players doubt due to injury, Griese will be looking for a full team performance from his side, as each player needs to perform well in their individual positions to strengthen the team.
Preliminary Final Teams Lists
Tugun Seahawks v Runaway Bay Seagulls at Boyd Street, Sunday, September 10 – 2pm
Tugun Seahawks
1. Corey Morris 2. Adam Barnes 3. Jabe Gamble 4. Tim Cassidy 5. Zac Jones 6. Grayson Te Kiri 7. Drumayne Dayberg-Muir 8. Bryce Thomas 9. Chris Thomas 10. Chris Hodges 11. Tu Whakatihi 12. Ayden Lee (c) 13. Dan Webb 14. Savern Rapana 15. Dean Murphy (c) 16. Shane Gray 17. Brad Adams
Coach: Martin Griese
Runaway Bay
1. John Mackin 2. Walter Lauenstein 3. Jamie Anderson 4. Matt Gandy 5. Jake Powell 6. Henry Chan Ting 7. Falani Arkell 8. Jordan McLaughlin 9. Ethan Gallop 10. Jackson O’Leary 11. Kimi Hempo 12. Andrew Vela 13. Blake Midson 14. Kingi Akauola 15. Brodie Clarke 16. Daniel Kelly 17. Robert Reid
Coach: Clinton Toopi
