Gains and Losses for 2019: Tweed Heads Seagulls

Author: QRL Media
Timestamp: Thu 14 Feb 2019, 05:08 PM

After an inconsistent 2018, Tweed Heads will be looking to their new signings - including veteran forward John Palavi and former Queensland Residents gun Christian Hazard - to step up and help them have a more successful 2019.

The Seagulls proved they can be competitive in 2018, winning six games in a row between Round 6 to Round 12, but a combination of injuries, and losing players who had become pivotal to their game to NRL duties, meant they did not thrive.

Seagulls have lost gun Brayden McGrady to Penrith Panthers and impressive youngster Hiale Roycroft, so will no doubt be looking to change their fortune this year with a few key signings.

Brayden McGrady in action for Seagulls in 2018. Photo: Tweed Heads Media

Palavi is a key signing for the club; he played five NRL games for the New Zealand Warriors from 2014 to 2016, before heading to Norths Devils and dominating.

Palavi captained the Devils last year and was awarded the club’s overall players’ player award.

John Palavi in action for Norths in 2018. Photo: QRL Media

Hazard, a talented halfback and hooker, was plagued by injury during his time at Gold Coast Titans in 2014 and 2015, but was a star performer at Redcliffe Dolphins in the Intrust Super Cup in 2016 and 2017.

After starring for Queensland Residents in 2017, Hazard gained a one-year deal at Newcastle Knights and played in their Intrust Super Premiership side last year.

Christian Hazard in action for Queensland Residents in 2017. Photo: NRL Images

Seagulls’ Intrust Super Cup coach Ben Woolf feels his squad in much-progressed in preparation for the upcoming season compared to this time last year, despite going down to Souths Logan Magpies in the opening trial match at Piggabeen Sports Complexat the weekend.

GAINS: John Palavi (Norths Devils), Christian Hazard (Newcastle Knights), Kurtis Dark (Newcastle Knights), Daniel Palavi (New Zealand Pt Chevalier), Kyle Kennedy (Newcastle competition), Stuart Mason (Illawarra Cutters)

LOSSES: Brayden McGrady (Penrith Panthers), Eli Levido (Illawarra Cutters), Tristian Lumley (Dubbo competition), Sam Saville (Burleigh Bears), Hiale Roycroft (Unknown), Sam Meskall (Tugan Seahawks)

Where they finished in 2018: 11th