The QRL Media Year in Review series continues with the Sunshine Coast Falcons the latest club to feature. Last year’s grand finalists showed glimpses of form in 2018; but ultimately paid the price due to inexperience.
With the 2018 Intrust Super Cup season having drawn to a close QRL Media have decided to a take a look back through the year for all 14 clubs to see what went right, what went wrong and what the club are likely to focus on going forward into the 2019 season.
The series kicked off last week with remaining clubs to feature on QRL.com.au in coming weeks.
More in the Intrust Super Cup Year in Review series
Mackay Cutters
CQ Capras
Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Tweed Heads Seagulls
...
The Season By-The-Numbers:
Final Position on Ladder: 10th
Regular Season Win %:
- Won: 10
- Draw: 0
- Lost: 13
Home and Away Record:
- Home: 7-5
- Away: 3-8
Scoring:
- Scored: 453
- Conceded: 464
- F/A: -11
Players in Focus:
Standout Player: Harry Grant
- Tries: 8
- Try Assists: 5
- Average Run M: 66m
- Tackles: 681
- Tackle Efficiency: 91%
Notable Player Mentions: Justin Olam, Matt Soper-Lawler and Lachlan Timm
Highlight: Sunshine Falcons clinch a come from behind win (23-22) against Wynnum Manly Seagulls at BMD Kougari Oval
Intrust Super Cup Round 2 Highlights: Wynnum v Falcons
Notable Player Achievements:
Harry Grant (Queensland Under 20 selection and NRL Debut – Melbourne Storm in Round 11)
Justin Olam (NRL debut – Melbourne Storm in Round 9 and winner of the Sunshine Coast Falcons Best Back award)
Dane Hogan (Sunshine Coast Falcons - Player of the Year winner and 150 Intrust Super Cup Games)
Key Factor: Playing the full 80 minutes
Of the 13 losses Sunshine Coast Falcons suffered in 2018, seven games were decided by eight points or less. Furthermore, in five of these losses, the Falcons actually were in the lead for the majority of the game, only to fall behind in the final 10 minutes.
Had Sunshine Coast Falcons been able to close out a few more of these games, they would have seen themselves in a much stronger position heading into the 2018 finals series.
Looking ahead to 2019:
Sunshine Coast Falcons have been active in player market and have already recruited some big-name players for the 2019 season, including Blackhawks prolific try scorer Jonathon Reuben, Mackay young gun Nicho Hynes, Norths Devils and Brisbane Broncos half Todd Murphy, and former Souths Sydney Rabbitohs outside back Siti Moceidreke.
The Falcons already boast a strong squad that includes the likes of Storm players Ryan Papenhuyzen, Justin Olam and Harry Grant. With their additional signings the side will be competitive team next season, and will be looking to rediscover the form that saw them make it all the way to the Intrust Super Cup grand final in 2017.
