The Magpies host the Panthers, Dolphins face Valleys in a grand final rematch and the Tigers travel to BMD Kougari Oval to take on the Seagulls in Round 4 of the In Safe Hands Cup.
Magpies v Panthers; Sunday, April 15 at Davies Park – 4.45pm LIVESTREAM BRLTV
West Brisbane Panthers will look to bounce back after a home loss to Valleys when they take on the Magpies at Davies Park on Sunday.
The Panthers will be led by halfback Che Fa’Alafi, a talented utility who can play lock, second row or in the backs; plus he can stop a man in his tracks with a crunching tackle.
Riley Leota replaces James Sharkie on the bench, while Panthers fullback Kyle Van Klaveren will be tested under the high ball from Magpies skipper Lane Ferling.
Ferling’s kicking game was a feature for the Magpies in Round 3 and should be a weapon again, while his halves partner from last week, Joe Burchell, moves to fullback with Sato Ketia-Opo set to wear the six.
Once again, a lack of possession and discipline from the Magpies gave the bayside Seagulls plenty of opportunity resulting in a 26-10 loss last weekend.
The Magpies were reduced to a two-man bench for the majority of the game, but they did show some glimpses of a side not far away from stringing wins together.
This game will be live-streamed on BRLTV.
Magpies
1. Joe Burchell 2. Cameron Booth 3. Dan Russell 4. Lenny Magey 5. Luke Archer 6. Sato Ketia-Opo 7. Lane Ferling 8. Rhys Melville 9. Brad Frith 10. Jordan Mago 11. Justin Fai 12. Matt Boyce 13. Sam Elliott 14. Matty Brown 15. Will Samuel 16. Darcey Maroske 17. AJ Tuimavave 18. Aleki Falepaini
Coach: Steve Bretherton
Panthers
1. Kyle Van Klaveren 2. Namila Davui 3. Sunny Monroe 4. Kennedy Pettyborne 5. James Olds 6. Che Fa’alafi 7. Zach Strasser 8. Troy Swift 9. Mikaere Beattie 10. Michael Molo 11. Drae Aiono 12. Billy Rogers 13. Dominic Biondi 16. Ethan Marrinan 17. Riley Leota 18. Kane Zalewski 19. Simona Vavega
Coach: Wayne Weekes
Dolphins v Diehards - Saturday, April 14 at Dolphin Oval – 4.15pm
Redcliffe have had a mixed start to their 2018 campaign. An impressive Round 1 win against the Magpies was followed by a slaying at the hands of the Seagulls, then a come from behind draw against the Tigers last week.
This week it is a replay of last year’s grand final with the Dolphins looking for some consolation for last year’s loss against the Diehards.
Valleys coach Don Gailer reflected before the season started that “this is a new year, a new comp,” with last year’s crowning as In Safe Hands Cup champions, a distant memory; perhaps suggesting that any lingering feelings from last year won’t be on the mind of the boys in blue.
Both camps have a considerable amount of talent within their ranks, all looking for promotion to the higher grade.
Redcliffe’s Curtis Johnson is one of many who are challenging. Look for Johnston’s white boots to rack up some metres as well as placing his name in the try scorer’s column.
For Valleys, their affiliate club Norths are four from five, a lot of that success stemming from the pressure the talent within the Diehards and the Panthers put on the Intrust Super Cup squad.
Callum Klein has moved into the halves, with Jack Meirs dropping to fullback. Meirs was outstanding in Valleys’ win over the Panthers last week and was PantherTV commentators man of the match.
Dolphins
1. Trai Fuller 2. Curtis Johnston 3. Jake Sparey 4. Sam Leach 5. Obed Kahwin 6. Reece Braun 7. Manaia Rudolph 8. Bailey Butler 9. Tristan Hope 10. Ben King 11. Corban Daniels 12. Agassi Stowers 13. Tauaalo Vaipulu 14. Rinsma Saueha 15. Jordan Pinnock 16. Will Partridge 17. James Flack
Coach: Daniel Green
Diehards
1. Jack Miers 2. Tom Collins 3. Rowan Klein 4. Sam Collins 5. Regan Glyn 6. Jordan Mitchell 7. Callum Klein 8. Liam Herrington 9. 10. Patrick Akauola 11. Chris Aiton 12. Jacob Kelly 13. Dalton Phillips 14. Joe Mc Kenna 15. Mattais Heimuli 16. Brett Doherty 17. Hayden Herbert
Coach: Don Gailer
Seagulls v Tigers - Saturday, April 14 at BMD Kougari Oval – 5.15pm
Easts have come so close to taking maximum points in two or their three games, but have come away with two losses and one draw to be placed at the bottom of the table.
The Tigers have lost the lead in the final quarter of those two losses, suggesting coach David Krause may look for an improved second half when the Tigers take on the Seagulls at BMD Kougari Oval on Saturday afternoon.
They have the Winx-like backs in Connor Jones, Maeli Seve and Evander Cummins to get the job done out wide. Easts also have a massive pack for hooker Jack Walters to take for a spin around Kougari Oval.
The bayside Seagulls are looking to maintain their spot at the top of the In Safe Hands Cup ladder at home, with coach Ron Troutman naming a side almost identical to the one that defeated the Magpies last weekend.
One of those players, Shaun Nona, was impressive last week looking for promotion, while skipper and hooker Mitch Moore is also knocking on the selector’s door.
Moore’s time on the bench was noticeable as the Magpies looked to stage a comeback, with the majority of the Pies’ points scored whilst Moore was refuelling.
This game may be first against last, but the In Safe Hands Cup is shaping as a tipsters nightmare, and this fixtures is no different.
Seagulls
1. Matthew Milson 2. Peter Gubb 3. Mitchell McMillian 4. Dallas Anderson 5. Tumoana Halkyard 6. John Te Reo 7. Shaun Nona 8. Lachlan Lee 9. Mitchell Moore 10. Billy Solah 11. Keenan Palasia 12. Kelly Tate. 13. Stedman Lefau 14. Kalolo Saitaua 15. Joshua Hoffman 16. Jaz Nahu-Main 17. Tamati Ioane
Coach: Ron Troutman
Tigers
1. Brett Kelly 2. Delroy Berryman 3. Connor Jones 4. Maeli Seve 5. Evander Cummins 6. Josh Curti 7. James Salter 8. Foisa Peni 9. Jack Walters 10. Heath Wilson 11. Harry Pondekas 12. Adam Crear 13. Jesse Uhlmann 15. Andrew Thompson 16. Gene Ropoama 19. Jack Schaffer 20.Ryan Cameron
Coach: David Krause
* John Devine is the BRL A grade correspondent for the QRL
