Gulls and Diehards highlight enticing Round 7 match ups

Last week produced three nail-biters and Round 7 of the In Safe Hands Cup has all the ingredients to produce three more clashes that go down to the wire.

In Round 6, the Seagulls held off the Magpies to remain alone at the top of the table after Valleys were beaten by the Panthers.

Valleys and West Brisbane are locked in second place while Redcliffe moved into the top four for the first time, pushing the Tigers out after a 26-20 win at Langlands Park.

Dolphins v Panthers – Saturday, May 4 at Dolphin Stadium - 4.15pm

Wests Brisbane travel to Dolphin Stadium to take on Redcliffe on Saturday afternoon, hoping to repeat what they produced at Frank Lind Oval back in Round 2. The Panthers were too strong that day, running out 26-6 winners.

For Redcliffe, the nimble Trai Fuller returns at fullback. Fuller possesses an explosive return of the footy and given open space he has the ability to dance from one end of a football field to the other.

His opposite number, Kyle Van Klaveren, can also trip the light fantastic.

When the Panthers needed it, Van Klaveren delivered it last week against the Diehards, scoring one try and making his trademark breaks in general play. Punters would feel confident of collecting if they are lucky enough to have the 1-1 double.

The Panthers weaponry also includes the kicking game of Troy Swift as well as Chris Gesch who has proven near unstoppable even without his hammer.

The Panthers have not lost since Round 3, while Redcliffe will look to go back-to-back to secure their third win of 2019.

Magpies v Tigers – Sunday, May 5 at Davies Park - 3.10pm

On Sunday afternoon, the Magies will host a Tigers team who have had a horror run since winning their first two games, losing their last four.

The Magpies, meanwhile, have threatened all season, but only have one win in Round 1 to show for it.

The Magpies introduced a new halves pairing last week in Colin Wilkie and Lachlan Cooper. The new combo excelled, and another 80-minutes together will prove a handful for the Redcliffe defence.

The Magpies were outstanding against the defending champions last week, but once again couldn’t finish the job. A poor start to the second half proved costly, as the Seagulls took full advantage.

Once the Magpies address the poor patches plaguing their performances, they will be a team to watch.

The Tigers are also desperate for a more polished performance, having not won a game since Round 2.

That Round 2 win was against the Magpies and the Tigers will be hoping the rematch yields similar results and gets their season back on track.

Seagulls v Diehards – Sunday, May 5 at BMD Kougari Oval - 4pm

In a big day at BMD Kougari Oval this Sunday that includes the Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup grand final; the Seagulls take on the Diehards in what shapes as the match of the round.

The Diehards came from behind to nearly defeat the Gulls in Round 2 before the clock stopped with a 32-30 win for the nest dwellers.

Incidentally, the Diehards and the Seagulls played two draws last season and their first clash this season could easily have ended in the same result.

Diehard backrowers Ethan Richards, Pride Peterson-Robati and Zavc Friend all crossed for tries last week and coach Craig Kennedy will be excited for the return of fullback David ‘Flash’ Fauid.

Fauid has been the competition’s form fullback this season and his team mates will welcome him back with open arms. With room to move he will have his opponents reaching for fresh air on his way through.

Seagull Salesi Funaki is in red hot form on the left edge, with Jordan Drew and Jack Goodsell outside plus the dynamic Tristan Hope serving up quality pill.

The attacking prowess of the defending champions means the Diehards will need an 80-minute defensive effort to return to the winner’s circle.

In Safe Hands Cup Round 7

Dolphins v Panthers – Saturday, May 4 at Dolphin Oval - 4.15pm

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Dolphins

1.Trai Fuller 2. Michael Walit 3. Sam Leach 4. Josh Rudolph 5. Justice Utatao 6. Harrison Smith 7. Kyle Foxwell 8. Tom Geraghty 9. Sheldon Pitama 10. Ben King 11. Fabien Palatua – Kiri 12. Raiden Fonoti. 13. 14. Tevita Mapapalangi 15. Bailey Butler 16. Faitotoa Faitotoa 17. Kian Shead

Coach: Daniel Green

Panthers

1. Kyle Van Klaveren 2. Campbell Mohr 3. Eddie Tautali 4. Kennedy Pettyborne 5. James Olds 6. Khan Ahwang 7. Mackenzie Reid 8. Michael Molo 9. Adam Harris 10. Chris Gesch 11. Keelyn Tuuta 12. Troy Swift 13. Jordan Brown 15. Michael Egan 16. Stephen Buckley 17. Shane Pumipi 18. Johnnie Fox 20. Foisa Peni. – One to be omitted

Coach: Wayne Weekes and Craig Ingebrigtsen

Magpies v Tigers – Sunday, May 5 at Davies Park - 3.10pm

Magpies

1. Benaiah Bowie 2. Willie Malala 3. Lenny Magey 4. Jacob Tonge 5. Joseteki Lalagavesi 6. Colin Wilkie 7. Lachlan Cooper 8. AJ Tumavave 9. Savarn Tahere 10. Kobe Tararo 11. Luke Burton 12. Shaquille Gafa 13. Cody McIntosh 14. Josh Bowyer 15. Bruce Ten 16. Derek Hemopo 17. Jaz Day. Coach: Darren Ferricks

Tigers

1. Brendon Downey 2. Matt Ruthenburg 3. Max Felosi 4. Keenan Yorston 5. Aaron Piddock 6. Josh Curti 7. Nathan Brown 8. Justin Fai 9. Chris Oswald 10. Lachlan Barr 11. Jack Peoples 12. Lachlan Lanskey 13. Jesse Uhlmann 14. Jack Walters 16. Tevita Wolske 17. Anthony Cheng 18. Kalima Panapa Lachlan Vellacott

Coach: Jason Di Lizio

Seagulls v Diehards – Sunday, May 5 at BMD Kougari Oval - 4pm

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Seagulls

1. Matthew Milson 2. Jack Goodsell 3. Jordan Drew 4. Rashaun Denny 5. Harlan Collins 6. John Te Reo 7. Reece McKenzie-O’Brien 8. Andrew Clayton 9. Tristan Hope 10. Semisi Ahoafi 11. Salesi Funaki 12. Sam Elliott 13. Rahdly Brawa 14. Jacob Paulo 15. Orisi Qaraniqio 16. Braden Collins 17. Corey Davis

Coach: Ron Troutman

Diehards

1. David Faiud 2. Fruen Easthope 3. Liam Horne 4. Sam Collins 5. Luke Archer 6. Simon Brittain-Snowden 7. Jack Miers 8. TBA 9. Kobe Hetherington 10. Patrick Akaoula 11. Moses Noovao-McGreal 12. Ethan Richards 13. Pride Petterson-Robati 14. Zac Friend 15. Lian Riccardi 16. Jacob Kelly 17. Ben Mataia

Coach: Craig Kennedy

Ladder