Country Week 2025 is done and dusted with seven brilliant games of rugby league taking place in seven different regional venues across Queensland.
The first match of the weekend saw the Norths Devils reclaim first place on the ladder, defeating the Wynnum Manly Seagulls 16-8 in Augathella.
After two early tries to the Devils, Selwyn Cobbo would strike for the Seagulls on the eve of half-time, as the Devils entered the sheds with a 10-4 lead.
The Seagulls would keep pace with the Devils in the second half, though they were never able to mount serious pressure, as the final score finished 16-8 in favour of the reigning premiers.
Further North in Emerald, the Clydesdales and Capras shared the spoils, drawing 20-all.
The Capras would score all three of their tries in the opening 20 minutes, jetting out to an 18-4 lead.
From there, the Clydesdales would mount a comeback, regaining the lead in the 49th minute.
After a 60th minute penalty goal to the Capras tied the score, neither side was able to score another point.
With numerous field goals being charged down or sent wide, both the Capras and Clydesdales would leave Emerald with their second draw for the season.
The Magpies have pulled off their second consecutive upset, defeating the Townsville Blackhawks 38-20 in Charters Towers.
After a tight first half, the Magpies would pull away late in the second half, scoring 16 unanswered points in the final 15 minutes.
Magpies’ lock Rory Ferguson put in a true captain’s knock, scoring a try, running for 150 metres and completing 22 tackles.
Anthony Milford was also immense for the Magpies, providing three try assists and two offloads.
With a bye in hand, the Magpies finals hopes are alive, though they will likely have to go undefeated in their final three games if they are to secure a top eight spot.
The Falcons have jumped into sixth place following their 24-12 victory over the Tweed Seagulls in Gayndah.
After conceding 18 unanswered points in the first half, the Seagulls would score twice in quick succession early in the second half, reducing the deficit to six points.
However, the Seagulls would fail to score again, as a late try to Falcons’ prop Lazarus Vaalepu would seal a second consecutive victory for the men from the Sunshine Coast.
Despite the loss, Seagulls’ front rower Luke Burton put in a strong performance, being a constant force through the middle and delivering crunching hits in defence.
Now two points clear of seventh place, the Falcons control their own destiny entering the finals, though they will be without young gun Jonah Pezet who has returned to the Melbourne Storm’s playing side following Jahrome Hughes’ injury last weekend.
Entering their bye week, the Burleigh Bears are now undefeated in nine of their last ten matches after defeating the Northern Pride 28-22 in Yarrabah.
The Bears would take control early into the match, scoring 18 unanswered points.
The Pride would mount a challenge in the second half, but the Bears’ hot start would ultimately prove vital, as the men from Cairns would fall six points short at the full-time siren.
Despite some untimely errors, Bears fullback Lachlan West put in an immense performance, scoring two tries and running for 233 metres from the back.
Captain Sami Sauiluma was also great for his side, making 216 metres from 18 runs.
The Bears have an opportunity to take first place off the Devils, as they play the Central Queensland Capras at home this Saturday during the competition’s bye week.
The Brisbane Tigers' late flurry has seen them defeat the Mackay Cutters 26-12 in Moranbah.
Following a low scoring first half, the Mackay Cutters would score twice early in the second half to lead their opposition 12-8.
From there on in, the Cutters would be unable to hold off an incessant Tigers attack, as Josh Smith would score off a Tahj Wood kick to put his side back in front.
Two late tries would extend the Tigers' margin of victory to 14 points, as the Tigers now look to secure their spot in the finals.
Currently in ninth position, the Tigers have a bye in hand to finish the season and will control their own destiny entering the final four rounds of the season.
The final match of Country Week would see the Redcliffe Dolphins defeat the Ipswich Jets 26-16 in Goondiwindi.
After the first half finished 10-all, the Jets would open the second-half scoring through Rashaun Denny.
Denny’s try would prove to be the final points scored by the Jets in this bout, as the Dolphins scored three unanswered tries to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat.
Dolphins’ debutant Jack Johnson would score in his first appearance, capping off an impressive first game in the Hostplus Cup which included 26 tackles and no errors throughout his 80 minutes in the back row.
ROUND 19 SCORES
Norths Devils 16 def Wynnum Manly Seagulls 8 at Brassington Park, Augathella
Western Clydesdales 20 draw Central Queensland Capras 20 at Alan McIndoe Park, Emerald
Souths Logan Magpies 38 def Townsville Blackhawks 20 at Bill Lewis Oval, Charters Towers
Burleigh Bears 28 def Northern Pride 22 at Jilara Oval, Yarrabah
Brisbane Tigers 26 def Mackay Cutters 12 at Darryl Bourke Oval, Moranbah
Redcliffe Dolphins 26 def Ipswich Jets 16 at Gilbert Oval, Goondiwindi
