Round 21 Intrust Super Cup Preview

by NRL

Round 21 Intrust Super Cup Preview.

BURLEIGH BEARS v WYNNUM MANLY
Pizzey Park, Saturday, August 18 - 3.30pm
* (Live on BayFM 100.3FM)
Referee: Robert Gallacher
Head to Head: Burleigh 14 Wynnum 12 Drawn 3
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The Burleigh Bears will look to continue their end of season run of good form when they host the Wynnum Manly Seagulls this weekend. While the Seagulls will start as favourites, Wynnum have hit a plateau in recent weeks, losing two games in a row before arresting their mini slump somewhat with a 16-16 draw against the Ipswich Jets last weekend. While Burleigh historically have had the better of Wynnum in the head-to-head stakes, the Seagulls have won their past three games against the Bears and will be looking to claim another. In team news, Burleigh have named Ayden Lee and Shane Gray to start with Danny Kerr on the bench. Tyron Haynes has also been named on the bench, despite coming off early last weekend with a sternum injury. The Seagulls welcome back Jacob Fauid into the halves where he will partner with Matt Seamark (Redcliffe/Wynnum Manly) in his 100th Queensland/Intrust Super Cup game. The game at Pizzey Park will have added meaning with the two sides also playing for the Adam Watene Memorial Trophy. Watene played for both teams and was a popular figure, particularly at the Bears. For those unable to make the game, tune into BayFM 100.3FM for the comprehensive preview and match call with Mike Higgison and Troy Robbins.

The mystery punter says: Wynnum Manly by 6. After three disappointing weeks by their standards, the Seagulls should bounce back against the Bears.


NORTHERN PRIDE v EASTS TIGERS
Barlow Park, Saturday, August 18 - 5.30pm
Referee: Michael Wise
Head to Head: Pride 6 Easts 3
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Fans are expected to be out in force at Barlow Park, with coach David Maiden and club veteran Chey Bird taking part in their final home games for the Pride. Bird announced his retirement earlier this week and has been named as fullback for his 95th game for the club. There will be free entry to the BDO Hill for the family fun day which is being supported by Pride sponsor Sea Swift. There will also be face painting, balloons, and a jumping castle, and the first 200 children through the gates will get a free hot dog and drink. In team news, Hezron Murgha (Edmonton) and second-rower Brent Oosen (Southern Suburbs) will play in the Cairns District Rugby League competition. For the Tigers, Steven Thorpe has been named to return at prop after missing last weekend's game with the flu. Five-eighth Cody Walker goes into this game requiring only six more points to overtake Scott Thorburn as Easts top Cup single season point scorer. Walker has 198, while Thorburn scored 203 in 2002. It is not just the players who are achieving milestones, with referee Michael Wise set to control his 150th Cup game. A quick glance at the premiership table shows that the Pride simply must win to keep their slim finals hopes alive. Things aren't quite as desperate for the Tigers but if they win this game, it will give them one foot in the door and take the pressure off leading into the final round.

The mystery punter says: Northern Pride by 4. It will be an emotional day for the home side which also has recent history on its side. The Tigers have lost all four games played in Cairns.


CQ CAPRAS v SOUTHS LOGAN
Browne Park, Saturday, August 18 - 7pm
Referee: Chris Anderson
Head to Head: Central 16 Souths Logan 14 Drawn 2
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The CQ Capras have organised another big day of rugby league at home, with a number of junior games being played in the lead-up to their Intrust Super Cup match against the Souths Logan Magpies. For the most part, the Capras have performed well in front of their Browne Park supporters all year, and will be hoping for a big crowd for their last home game of the season. All former Capras and Comets senior players who come along with their old jerseys will receive free admission to the game. When these two teams met back in round three - the Magpies proved too good for the Capras, winning 44-6. Since then, the CQ side has shown they are more than capable of pushing the competition's best teams, especially at home. Josh Tanner and Ben Bromley have been added to the Capras bench in place of Gavin Hiscox and Blake Wallace. For the Magpies, skipper Phil Dennis is set to make his eagerly-awaited return via the bench and Mat Templeman is back in the side for Cameron Booth.

The mystery punter says: Souths Logan by 8. The Magpies have played in two draws in their past four games and get their chance here to go one better against the Capras.


IPSWICH JETS v REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS
North Ipswich Reserve, Sunday, August 19 - 2.10pm
* (Live on Channel 9)
Referee: Peter Gough
Head to Head: Redcliffe 24 Ipswich 10
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Sunday's Channel 9 match pits the competition's best team against a side playing for its season. It all points to a fascinating contest between two proud rugby league cities. Having won their past nine games, the formidable Redcliffe team can officially wrap up the prestigious minor premiership with a round 21 win over an Ipswich side that is likely to be without inspirational skipper Keiron Lander. Lander limped from the field in last weekend's bruising draw with Wynnum Manly in a worrying sign for coaches Ben and Shane Walker. The Jets sit in third spot with two games remaining but they are not sitting quite as pretty as some would think. A loss here against the competition favourites could thrust the Jets into a virtual do-or-die shootout against the Norths Devils in the final round. In their first round meeting, Redcliffe punished the Jets late in the second half to win 30-10. The Dolphins did a similar job on the Easts Tigers last weekend and they look settled with just two changes for Sunday's clash. With Josh Hoffman back with the Broncos, Mitch Rivett gets a chance at centre while giant back-rower Paul Ivan comes in for Derrick Watkins. Ivan's return from injury is another boost for the Dolphins, who last weekend welcomed skipper Chris Farrell back from a dislocated elbow. Sunday's match is part of a huge day of rugby league, with the country's best schoolboy teams in action before the ISC game. The Jets will also stage their annual Old Boys day with the heavy presence of former stars set to give the team a big lift.

The mystery punter says: Redcliffe Dolphins by 10. Ipswich will come at the Dolphins all day but class will prevail in the end.


TWEED HEADS v SUNSHINE COAST
Piggabeen Sports Complex, Sunday, August 19 - 3pm
Referee: Nick Kalpakidis
Head to Head: Tweed 5 Sunshine Coast 2
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Tweed Heads will go into this match without reliable centre James Wood. The 2011 Queensland Residents representative will serve the first week of a two match suspension for a reckless high tackle. Wood was placed on report following the incident in last weekend's win over the Capras but the good news for Tweed fans is that he'll be available for the first weekend of the semi-finals. A win here against the Sunshine Coast will confirm their spot in the finals and a victory the following weekend against Souths Logan could see them finish in the all-important top three. Tweed skipper Brad Davis will turn out for his 150th Cup match for his beloved Seagulls. Davis played just 20 minutes last weekend upon his return from injury but he is expected to get more game time this weekend. The Sea Eagles need to win to get off the bottom of the ladder but it's going to be a tall order given they again haven't named Todd Murphy and Hughie Stanley - two of their best attacking players who appear to be out of favour. The Sea Eagles have also lost their past 21 away matches but they can take confidence from their last meeting against the Seagulls - a tight 7-6 loss back in round three.

The mystery punter says: Tweed Heads by 14. The Seagulls simply have too much to play for and are always hard to beat at Piggabeen.


NORTHS DEVILS v MACKAY CUTTERS
Bishop Park, Sunday, August 19 - 3pm
Referee: Chris Butler
Head to Head: Norths 6 Mackay 4
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Mackay's prospects of upsetting the Devils have been dealt a blow with the luckless club ravaged by injury and suspension this week. Already down on key personnel, Cutters coach Anthony Seibold - who will next year coach the Melbourne Storm Under 20s team - now has to contend with the loss of senior players Ben Jones, David Milne and Jason Schirnack. Jones and Milne joined a mounting injury list in last weekend's win over the Sunshine Coast, while Schirnack's season is over after the former Wests Tigers forward this week received a two match suspension for a high tackle. The setbacks have a silver lining though, with local Mackay players Andrew Ward and Damon Koolstra called into to play against the Devils. Koolstra has the tough gig of replacing former Raiders star Milne in the fullback position. Norths simply must win to keep their finals hopes alive following their 28-28 draw against the Pride last weekend. The Devils' pack is down slightly on its usual firepower, with Brendon Gibb selected to play for the Broncos. However, Lachlan Maranta is set to link back up with the Devils after a good run of games in the NRL.

The mystery punter says: Norths Devils by 14. The Cutters have built plenty of momentum with a string of late wins but injury and suspension have combined to cruel their chances here.

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