Two massive games to secure grand final places

Norths  made it to the grand final in 2016 and 2018, losing both. In 2018, it was a loss to Souths Logan which came after the Devils jumped out to a 16-6 lead at halftime, but got run down 18-16 by the David Fifita-led Magpies.

Overall, Souths have an impressive history in the competition, taking out the title in 2018 and 2017.

This season, the Magpies have finished second on the overall ladder and the Devils third.

In his first season of at the helm, Souths Logan coach Karmichael Hunt knows what he wants to see from his team on Saturday after beating the Devils two weeks ago.

“Two weeks ago, doesn’t mean anything now, we reviewed the game and found things we didn’t do well,” Hunt said.

“We will prepare and play our football … if it means we have to grind it out and don’t score until after half time, then we can do that too.

“It’s got a real historical feel to it, Norths v Souths in finals and we are embracing that and looking forward to it.”

Arguably one of Souths Logan’s best players has been half Jye Gray who moved to the Magpies this season.

With seven line breaks and nine line break assists, Gray has been dominate with the ball in his hands or leaving his hands.

Add in his six tries and he is a potential player of the year contender, but for now, Gray needs to fire at finals when the Souths Magpies need him.

“We are so excited for finals, I got injured last year and didn’t play much, but this year I have played the whole season and I am looking forward to it so much,” Gray said.

“We know Norths are strong all over the field, fast wingers, big second rowers and chuck in Karl Oloapu and his footwork and we need to be ready to go.”

The Devils will be preparing well for this weekend’s game, but in the back of their minds would be the Round 7 loss to the Magpies where they had a horrible start and were down 22-0.

However, the Devils scored three times in the second half to restore some confidence, but now need to show they’ve learnt something in the last two weeks.

Devils coach Shayne Boyd knows what went wrong and what needs to go right on in their finals match.

“We gave them too much ball, too many chances and they took them,” Boyd said.

“Souths started well and in the second half when we got the ball, we evened it up.

“We lost Angus Hinchey and that sort of played havoc with our rotations, we don’t know yet if Hinchey will play, but our back row of Hinchey and Ben Te Kura has been a real strength for us this season.

“(Blake) Mozer (Souths Logan Magpies five-eighth) was given too much time and on the back of that, he was calm and you can’t allow that.”

Karl Oloapu will be on the other side of halfway in this finals battle of the five-eighths and had high praise for his forwards.

“I think our middle is really strong and our back row,” Oloapu said.

“We need to go through the middle first and not let Mozer attack after a quick play the ball.

“I am nervous but excited, its’ finals.”

The second final will see Sunshine Coast Falcons and Townsville Blackhawks face off.

The Falcons will have the advantage of being at home while the Blackhawks – another club with strong form in the competition, winning the title in 2016 against Norths – will travel to South East Queensland to begin their mission to avenge last year’s loss to Tweed Heads Seagulls in the final.

The Falcons are appearing at this stage of the season for the first time and will be hoping to spring a surprise on the Blackhawks.

The Falcons finished fourth overall and the Blackhawks were top of the table.

“We are playing finals at home on a nice day at the Coast, it’s pretty exciting,” Falcons coach Danny Gray said.

“We know Townsville have dominated this competition and hardly lost a game for two years, but we believe we can win on Saturday.

“We need to be prepared to defend and really have a go for each other in all our effort areas.”

Falcons centre Mitch Jennings has been a strike weapon for the side, making great ground for his side and will be pivotal to success on Saturday.

Recently against the Jets, Jennings made 128 metres and showed his attacking flare, but it’s defence Jennings wants to bring to the final.

“I don’t want any tries scored against me, I want to be solid and control that side of the field.” Jennings said.

“It’s our first game on the Sunshine Coast Stadium this year, so it’s a big event for the club, we are all playing and we are playing a final.

“I think our middle will be where we can control the game.”

However, it’s hard to ignore Townsville’s form in competition, they haven’t lost a game since 2019.

Simply, the Townsville Blackhawks are a machine at this level and have had an awesome season built around defence.

“This is what we play for, to play finals and test ourselves,” Blackhawks coach Roy Baira said.

“They play at home, so that is a challenge, but I think the Falcons will test our defence, they come through the middle a lot so we need to be ready for that.

“We are going go down there and be ready to play and defend.

“Defence is what we base our game on.”

Blackhawks half Zac Lamont may be from the Sunshine Coast originally, but that won’t mean much when he returns home with Townsville this week for the finals.

“I will have plenty of family and friends at the stadium, I know a lot of the Falcons boys too,” Lamont said.

“Our goal is to keep teams under six points, we averaged seven points against this year.

“I think Damon Marshall our captain is the Townsville player to watch, he’s so good for us and just does everything you want in a captain.

“I can’t wait to get down there and play finals.”

QRL Match Review charges results - Round 7 Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup

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