Devils to focus on defence in match-up against Dolphins

Neither team is where they want their 2022 to be, but Norths are just outside the finals with two wins and the Dolphins with one win.

So far this season, the Devils attack has shown plenty of flair with 100 points scored in two wins.

When Norths played two weeks ago, it was a high-scoring game 42-34, so defence will have featured on the whiteboard for coach Shane Boyd after his side missed 53 tackles.

“We need to be more resilient in defence, we can score points and I said two weeks ago I am happy with us while we have the ball,” Boyd said.

“Once we give the ball to the opposition, we need to be more resilient.

“They’re a really good group of players and I am really happy with them.

“We have had some great performances... Angus Hinchey has been strong for us.

“Our five-eighth Karl Oloapu has been outstanding in defence and attack.”

It was last game against the Bears that Hinchey found 203 valuable metres for the Devils, while Oloapu made 24 tackles against the Bears.

It’s performers like this the Devils need to put their defence and attack games together.

Elsewhere in Round 5, there are plenty of important matches to keep an eye on.

Wynnum Seagulls will take on their feather rivals Tweed Seagulls this weekend at Iona College.

Last weekend, Wynnum Manly scored what should have been enough points to beat the Bears last week with four tries in the first 19 minutes. However, they then let the Bears score seven tries between the 27th minute and the 59th minute.

Tweed are currently just outside the finals and will be looking to use the next two weeks to springboard onto bigger and better things.

The Central Queensland Capras went to Townsville last week and the second placed Townsville Blackhawks, the result wasn’t what the Capras were after and Townsville won 40-6.

This weekend, the Capras will take on Mackay Cutters.

The Capras started positively last weekend with Carter Wright scoring in the 13th minute, but from there, they just missed too many chances.

The Cutters had the opposite experience when they played Northern Pride and Kai Simon was outstanding with three tries. Simon ran 159 metres and two line breaks to have a massive impact on the game.

Townsville Blackhawks will be at home to Northern Pride this weekend and will be aim to reproduce their good form from last weekend.

Last weekend, they hoovered for a while and then attacked the Capras to win 40-6. Townsville had players all over the field who just couldn’t be stopped including Zac Lamont and Sean Bourke who combined like Lennon and McCartney to make beautiful music.

Damon Marshall is Townsville's leader and lock and he was outstanding as well.

In their match, the Pride were up 12-4 at half-time and would have been ready to have a good second half, but the Cutters took over and it all came unstuck.

Jason Hallie was great for the Pride though with plenty of great metres and Cain Hastie topped the tackle count with 25.

Joseph Pearson was the underline and bold type with some great finishing for the Pride.

Ipswich Jets and and the Toowoomba-based Western Clydesdales are traditional rivals that go back to 1925 and another chapter will be inked this week between two proud league cities.

The Jets are coming off a win last weekend over Wide Bay Bulls 46-12 where Larry Siala scored two tries at a pivotal moment in the game to kick start Ipswich’s second half.

Tyler Peckham-Harris has been a joy to watch for Ipswich and is the iron man of the Jets that just doesn’t stop.

The Clydesdales had a 24-24 draw with the Falcons; Will Brady was a standout for Toowoomba and will need to be watched by the Jets.

Souths Logan Magpies just keep keeping on; they are still undefeated and running red hot with a 44-10 win over Redcliffe Dolphins last weekend.

Timothy Sielaff-Burns couldn’t be held back or stopped with two tries and six from eight goals. Don’t be fooled into thinking the Magpies are just attacking; the Dolphins didn’t score until the 41st minute of the game.

This weekend, they will host Brisbane Tigers at Marsden. 

Tigers will need to fix a few things to right the score from their 46-14 loss to Tweed Seagulls last week. The Tigers defence wasn’t aggressive or strong enough with Tweed making 10 line breaks and 21 tackle breaks.

The Sunshine Coast Falcons might be practising their field goals this week for their match against Wide Bay Bulls after a 24-24 draw with Western Clydesdales last weekend.

The Falcons had their chances to win, but couldn’t come away with the points. What the Falcons did really well however was fight back from 18-4 down at halftime in an effort that would please their fans.

The Falcons got the momentum with nine-line breaks and 37 tackle breaks.

The Bulls made the trek to beautiful Ipswich last weekend, but couldn’t stop the home side Jets from winning 46-12. The Bulls were well in the game at 12-12 at halftime, but from there, the Jets took over the Bulls and scored 34 points.

This weekend, Burleigh Bears have the bye.

This year, you can watch all QRL statewide competition matches at QPlus.tv.