Cup Finals Week 1 preview: 100-game milestone for McGrady

Hostplus Cup Finals Week 1

Tweed Seagulls v Brisbane Tigers

Head-to-head: Tweed Seagulls 19, Tigers 17, drawn 1
Head-to-head finals: Tigers 1, Tweed Seagulls 0   
Hashtags: #HostplusCup #TWEEDvTIGES
Broadcast: This game will be broadcast via Channel 9 TV. 
Radio call: SENQ 693 AM and DAB+ in Brisbane. Or listen via the SEN app.

• In a curious twist, there are two games being played this weekend in the Hostplus Cup that are repeats of the final round, starting with Tweed Seagulls facing off against Brisbane Tigers
• Last round, the Tigers scored the win with a 38-30 result. The Tigers also won when the sides met in Round 1, defeating Tweed 20-16
• This will be Tweed's 10th time in finals, and their third in succession. Overall, they have played 18 finals matches and have won six and lost 12
• This will be the 17th time the Tigers have played in the finals and the eighth time in nine years after missing finals in 2021. Overall, they have played 41 finals games and have won 20 and lost 21
• In their previous finals clash in 2006 the Tigers won the elimination final against Tweed at Piggabeen 12-4
• Tweed will be without Jo Vuna for three with the Gold Coast Titans-contracted forward being found guilty at panel of dangerous contact and also taking an early guilty plea for a shoulder charge
• This will be the 100th Cup game for Tweed skipper Lindon McGrady, who has played all of his Cup with the Seagulls

Sunshine Coast Falcons v Redcliffe Dolphins

Head-to-head: Redcliffe Dolphins 17, Sunshine Coast Falcons 11
Head-to-head finals: Redcliffe Dolphins 2, Sunshine Coast Falcons 1 
Hashtags: #HostplusCup #FALCONSvPHINS
Broadcast: Qplus.tv

• The second of the last round repeats will see the Sunshine Coast Falcons host Redcliffe Dolphins
• Last weekend, the Falcons defeated Redcliffe 20-18. When they first met in Round 1 this season, the Sunshine Coast again got the win, defeating the Dolphins 24-4 to claim the James Ackerman Cup 
• This will be the Sunshine Coast's seventh time in the finals, and their third in succession. They have played 15 finals overall and have won eight and lost seven
• This weekend is Redcliffe's 20th time in finals, and sixth in succession. The club have played 53 finals games and have won 32 and lost 21
• The Sunshine Coast come into this game in good form and have won their past four games
• Last week was Sunshine Coast's 300th Cup game. In their time they have 130 wins, seven draws and 163 losses
• The last finals clash between these two teams was the elimination final in Week 1 last year, with Redcliffe defeating Sunshine Coast 40-20 at Moreton Daily Stadium
• This will be the 50th Cup game for Falcons flyer Nat McGavin

Central Queensland Capras v Northern Pride

Head-to-head: Northern Pride 14, Central Queensland Capras 8, drawn 1
Head-to-head finals: Northern Pride 1, Central Queensland Capras 0 
Hashtags: #HostplusCup #CAPRASvPRIDE
Broadcast: Qplus.tv, 9Now, Kayo Freebies and Hostplus Cup Facebook 

• When the two sides met during the regular season in Round 7, the Central Queensland Capras posted a 34-10 win against Northern Pride
• This weekend's match will be the third time in the finals for the Capras, and their first appearance since 2009. Overall, they have played three, won one and lost two
• This will be the Pride's ninth time in finals, and the club's first since 2018. They have played 17 finals over and have won nine and lost eight
• In their previous finals clash in 2009, the Pride beat the Capras 22-10 at Langlands Park in their preliminary final

Burleigh Bears v Norths Devils

Head-to-head: Burleigh Bears 28, Norths Devils 23
Head-to-head finals: Burleigh Bears 3, Norths Devils 2
Hashtags: #HostplusCup #BEARSvDEVILS
Broadcast: Qplus.tv

• Two competition heavyweights go head-to-head this weekend, with defending premiers Norths Devils travelling to Pizzey Park to take on this year's minor premiers Burleigh Bears
• When these two sides met this year, it at the Bears with the win on both occasions. Burleigh defeated Norths 54-18 in Round 12 and in Round 16 they won 38-10
• This will be Burleigh's 12th time in finals, and fourth in succession
• This will be the 13th time Norths have played in the finals, and third in succession
• The last finals clash between these two teams was the preliminary final last year, with Norths defeating Burleigh 34-16 at Suncorp Stadium 
• This will be Burleigh coach Rick Stone's 250th Cup game at the helm with the Bears. Stone will become the first coach first to reach this milestone. Overall, he has 172 wins, nine draws and 68 losses

QRL Match Review charges results Round 20 Hostplus Cup