Three of the top four teams have been decided, with Wynnum and Redcliffe continuing to battle for the last place in Round 17 of the In Safe Hands Cups.
Six points adrift of the top four, the Redcliffe Dolphins still have a pulse, but the equation is simple; they must win all four of their games to be a chance of playing finals.
They are also relying on the Seagulls to lose at least three of their remaining four games, while the Panthers, Diehards and Tigers have all booked their place.
Easts Tigers v Souths Logan Magpies – Saturday, August 10 at Ian Clarkson Field at 4pm
The Tigers are at ‘home’ to the Magpies at Ian Clarkson Field in Rochedale with Easts looking to take the three points and threaten the top two while Souths Logan will be out to ruin the plans of all that come before them for the remainder of the season.
Easts have fired in the back end of the year and are chasing their seventh win in eight games this Saturday.
Tigers Coach Jason Di Lizio has named a familiar line up with a regular crop at his disposal of late.
The backs are no strangers to each other, as are the ugglies up front. Shane Neuman has slotted in nicely to the well-groomed backline and his experience will add another quill to Di Lizio’s quiver.
Keenan Yorstan on the other side of the field is in red hot form but he may not get to continue that form if the big units are not up to the challenge that will come their way in the form of an angry Magpies flock.
Souths Logan’s season has only four more games to play out, with Phil Dennis and his disciples out to mess things up for Easts.
They were outstanding against the Panthers two weeks ago and led at half time against the defending premiers, Wynnum Manly, last week. However, as has been the case for most of the year, they have rarely put a full 80 out on the grass.
The Magpies have serious talent out wide with the ability to chalk up four pointers from anywhere on the field, but they will need the go forward from the likes of Harrison Muller and Jerome Veve against the Tigers pack.
Easts have won two of the three clashes between the sides this year. The last was a 44-16 victory at Langlands Park in Round 12, however Souths Logan took the chocolates in Round 7, 44-22.
Redcliffe Dolphins v West Brisbane Panthers – Saturday, August 10 at Dolphin Stadium at 4.15pm
The Dolphins and the Panthers will square off at Dolphin Stadium with Redcliffe looking the goods against a stuttering Panthers outfit.
While Redcliffe are only a slim chance of playing finals football, they could easily keep air in their lungs with a win at home.
The Phins suffered a setback last week, going down to the Tigers after winning their previous three on the trot, meaning one more loss will spell the end of their season.
Redcliffe welcome Jed Simiken to the fullback position to join a blistering backline featuring Sam Leach and Will Partridge while the forwards have led the resurgence of the Dolphins in the past month as they have become more hostile with each outing.
Tyson Cleal, James Flack and Tevita Mapapalangi have been inspirational as the trawlers have circled the pod this season. They will need the angry pills again as the Panthers are looking for redemption.
The Panthers, while registering two wins before their last start loss to Valleys, have shown chinks in their armour over the last month.
They only just got home against the Magpies and then held off a determined Tigers outfit taking the win 18-10, while last week’s first half performance against Valleys was far from their best.
With 19 players named, the Panthers are near full strength and will be boosted by the return of Chris Gesch and Zach Strasser to assist their continued quest for the minor premiership.
Valleys Diehards v Wynnum Manly Seagulls – Saturday, August 10 at Emerson Park at 4.30pm
Valleys return to Emerson Park for the first time since Round 12 where the Seagulls await.
Both sides were victorious last week with the Seagulls’ win particularly important.
It snapped the defending premiers out of a form slump and put some distance between themselves and the fifth placed Dolphins, while Valleys held on to second place and remain in contention to take out the minor premiership.
Zac Friend received a good chunk of game time against the Panthers, but Jack Miers will again start in the number nine after earning a rest mid-way through last week’s game.
Friend was a menace last week as was Kobe Hetherington and the explosive Joe Bradley and Ethan Richards on the edges. Joe McGuire’s injection was also filled with venom and when you add the feisty Lilomaiave Mago to the mix the Diehards look like a tough assignment.
After a slow start, the Seagulls returned to their best with an inspired second half against the Magpies.
With the return of Tristan Hope and the wizardry of John Te Reo the Gulls finally looked like contenders again as they piled on 36 unanswered points.
Wynnum Manly have a forward pack with plenty of size, talent and a mischievous way of unsettling their enemy. The big men consistently combine with slick passing and quick play the balls to help create an unpredictable attacking routine.
When they are on song, the green and red pack have the ability to decimate those mad enough to get in their way.
In Safe Hands Cup Round 17 team lists
Easts Tigers v Souths Logan Magpies - Saturday, August 10 at Ian Clarkson Field at 4pm
Easts Tigers
1. Brandon Downey 2. Curtis Dansey-Smaller 3. Shane Neumann 4. Keenan Yorston 5. Aaron Pidcock 6. Nathan Brown 7. Josh Curti 8. Tyrone Amey 9. Hayden Elsebach 10. Jaiyden Hunt 11. Jack Peoples 12. Tevita Wolske 13. Jesse Uhlmann 14. Zak Taibi 15. Lachlan Barr 16. Justin Fai 17. Ash Harawira-Naera
Coach: Jason Di Lizio
Souths Logan Magpies
1. Brandon Roberts 2. Brant Quinn 3. Lenny Magey 4. Vesi Sa’u 5. Jethro Tessman 6. Haydn O’Hara 7. Josh Bowyer 8. Harrison Muller 9. Blake Scott 10. Jerome Veve 11. Cameron Booth 12. Jacob Alick 13. Phil Dennis 14. Savarn Tahere 15. Jayde Williams 16. Shaun Hoeler 17. Kobe Tararo
Coach: Darren Ferricks
Redcliffe Dolphins v West Brisbane Panthers - Saturday August 10 at Dolphin Oval, 4.15pm
Redcliffe Dolphins
1. Jed Simbiken 2. Will Partridge 3. Corban Daniels 4. Josh Rudolph 5. Sam Leach 6. Hayden Herbert 7. Regan Baker 8. Ben King 9. Oscar Carter 10. Zev John 11. Faitotoa Faitotoa 12. James Flack 13. Tyson Cleal 14. Tauaalu Vaipulu 15. Fabian Palatua Kiri 16. Joel O’Brien 17. Tevita Mapapalangi
Coach: Daniel Green
West Brisbane Panthers
1. Kyle Van Klaveren 2. Campbell Mohr 3. Eddie Tautali 4. Luke Pollock 5. James Olds 6. Zach Strasser 7. Joe Bond 8. Chris Gesch 9. Mackenzie Reid 10. Johnnie Fox 11. Keelyn Tuuta 12. Michael Egan 13. Stephen Buckley 14. Kahn Ahwang 15. Troy Swift 16. Jordan Brown 17. Shane Pumipi 18. Stephen Pumipi 20. Foisa Peni – (two to be omitted)
Coach: Craig Ingebrigtsen & Wayne Weekes
Valleys Diehards v Wynnum Manly Seagulls - Saturday August 10 at Emerson Park, 4.30pm
Valleys Diehards
1. Jayden Baker 2. Jonty Hansen 3. Henry Penn 4. Sam Collins 5. Luke Archer 6. Kobe Hetherington 7. Simon Brittain-Snowden 8. Lilomaiava Mago 9. Jack Miers 10. Jacob Kelly 11. Joe Bradley 12. Ethan Richards 13. Moses Noovao-McGreal 14. Zac Friend 15. Joe McGuire 16. Patrick Akaoula 17. Hiale Roycroft
Coach: Craig Kennedy
Wynnum Manly Seagulls
1. Matt Milson 2. James O’Toole 3. Moses Pangai 4. Rashaun Denny 5. Harlan Collins 6. John Te Reo 7. Edwin Ipape 8. Corey Davis 9. Tristan Hope 10. Semisi Ahoafi 11. Brad Mana 12. Sam Elliott 13. Rahdly Brawa 14. Reece McKenzie – O’Brien 15. Mitchell McMillan 16. Zane Holleran 17. Orisi Qaaraniqio
Coach: Ron Troutman
Ladder
| Pos | Team | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Brisbane Panthers | 78 | 40 |
| 2 | Valleys Diehards | 64 | 36 |
| 3 | Easts Tigers | 86 | 34 |
| 4 | Wynnum Manly Seagulls | 6 | 32 |
| 5 | Redcliffe Dolphins | -61 | 26 |
| 6 | Souths Logan Magpies | -173 | 24 |
