Tweed opposed with Maroons: 'We got plenty out of that'
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Tweed Seagulls is sitting seventh on the Hostplus Cup ladder with six regular rounds left to play.
The determination levels to solidify their spot in the finals are high and their opposed session with the Queensland Maroons came at a good time to give them a bit of extra oomph.
Tweed coach Dave Penna said it was a valuable experience for his team at the pointy end of season 2023.
"It's massive," Penna said, adding there was plenty of excitement when the opportunity arose.
Penna said there were a few fresh haircuts in his squad in the lead up to the session and plenty were star struck when they arrived.
"They're a quality outfit and you learn plenty from them," Penna said.
"At the end of the day, we usually do an hour and a half on a Thursday anyway, but we were able to do it against quality opposition and even though we're not doing what we normally do, it's a great experience for the boys.
"We got plenty out of that, which is great.
"We've had nine really tough weeks, against some quality teams. We've got two weeks to go and then we get a three-week spell over a break and a bye at the same time.
"So for us, it's just about trying to focus on the next couple of weeks and then we we finish with three home games, so, we'll lick the wounds and clean everybody up and then we'll go from there."
Tweed will play Redcliffe Dolphins on Sunday for the Liam Hampson Cup.
Match: Seagulls v Dolphins
Round 17 -
home Team
Seagulls
8th Position
away Team
Dolphins
5th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Tweed prop Lamar Manuel-Liolevave said "it was definitely a great experience" going up against the Maroons, adding it was excellent to "get to rub shoulders with our top team in our state".
"Everyone was excited," Manuel-Liolevave, who was most looking forward to going up against Pat Carrigan, said.
"To get the experience... we know where we are at but they exploited some areas in our D that we've been talking about.... it just allows us to work on it... that's what we needed. The experience alone was massive for us.
"They bring intensity from one to 13 on the field... that's what we need to do as well. We've got our key players, but we're only as good as our weakest link.
"When we're all on we're a good team. We just need to be how they are."
Manuel-Liolevave said he had played against and alongside some of the Maroons coming through and it was "good to see them on the big stage" now.
"It's just mad and they're doing the state proud so hopefully three-nil on Wednesday," Manuel-Liolevave said.
"Proud Queenslander. Go Queensland."
