Rugby League loves the strange and different but the gods might be scratching their heads come Saturday when the Norths Devils and Redcliffe Dolphins take the field to play their Round 1 game, the weekend after Round 6.
It’s a Grand Final replay with the Devils looking to repeat last year's heroics, trumping the Dolphins 34-20 at Kayo Stadium in a brilliant match which saw second-rower Oryn Keeley walk away with player of the match honours.
The last time Devils' head coach Rohan Smith coached against Dolphins' head coach Eric Smith, it was a win to Eric, who steered his Sunshine Coast Falcons side to a 30-12 victory of the Devils in Round 18 in 2019.
Rohan Smith recently returned to the side he coached to a premiership in 2021, and so far in 2025 - Smith looks to have the Devils once again in the driver's seat for the premiership, as they sit unbeaten at the top of the table.
The Devils have won the last three against the Dolphins and the last three at Bishop Park.
Dolphins coach Eric Smith has settled into his new digs at Redcliffe over the course of the early rounds.
“If we could do one thing well on Sunday, I want to see that resilience in defence,
“I am looking forward to seeing our fullback Zacariah Miles play, he’s worked really hard this season and he’s come from the Falcons and I think he’s going to go well.” Said Smith
Miles has been a revelation at fullback for the Dolphins with four games and two tries, the fullback has the second most line breaks in the Hostplus Cup with five.
Returning Norths Devils coach Rohan Smith is back at Bishop Park after not coaching the Devils since 2022.
“Norths hasn’t changed in some ways - it’s good to be back, Smith said.
“We still acknowledge the strengths of the Dolphins, but we're trying to remain focused on ourselves."
Jordan Lipp and his attacking flair has been reaping rewards for the Devils this season, but his red-hot form is nothing new to the Devils faithful as the outside back crossed 20 times in 23 games last year.
The Dolphins will be on alert for Lipp’s speed and playmaking.
Dolphins wild card Josh Allen is back for 2025 and will be a handful for the Devils.
Allen has only played two games this year but the allure and challenge that comes with playing the Norths Devils, will ensure there are no cobwebs left when he takes to Bishop Park.
Allen came off the bench against the Western Clydesdales and made a real impact with 112 metres and 16 tackles.
This forward clash is going to be worth the wait.
TWEED SEAGULLS v WYNNUM SEAGULLS
Wynnum have a massive historical advantage over the Tweed Seagulls having won 28 games to 17 and the last time they played it was Wynnum all over the Tweed 40-16.
Wynnum have won their last two games in a row and are sitting in fifth while the Tweed are not where they want to be in 10th.
MACKAY CUTTERS V PNG HUNTERS
The last time the Cutters and Hunters played it was a score-fest with tries everywhere with the Cutters winning 40-26.
That game wasn’t the norm when these two normally play against each other with PNG having won four of the last.
The Hunters are coming off a close loss to Ipswich which they could have snatched at the end. While the Cutters lost narrowly to Western Clydesdales.
