2017 Preview | Intrust Super Cup

Ethan James looks at each of the 14 Intrust Super Cup clubs ahead of season kick off this week. 

The Intrust Super Cup is the Queensland Rugby League's premier open age competition, where all but one side acts as a feeder club to NRL sides in Queensland and Victoria.

Burleigh Bears

NRL affiliate: Gold Coast Titans
Last year: Premiers (2nd on ladder)

The Bears claimed their third state Cup last season with a 26-16 win over Redcliffe but going back-to-back is the ultimate challenge. Classy halves Cameron Cullen (Manly) and Jamal Fogarty (Parramatta) have left but dynamic fullback Henare Wells returns from a stint across the Tasman with the Warriors.

They've also picked up 156-game NRL prop Matt White in a sign they won't be deviating from a forward-orientated game. Whether they can replicate the same level of success with a new halves pairing is the big question.

Central Queensland Capras

NRL affiliate: Gold Coast Titans
Last year: 12th

It was another rough season for the Rockhampton-based Capras who leaked the most points of any team in the competition. Star playmaker Matt Minto (Souths Logan) has moved on and it remains to be seen if they have a half capable of filling the void.

Backrow workhorses Gavin Hiscox and Guy Williams lead the side, which will rely heavily on local league players stepping up to Intrust Super Cup level. Despite being some 700kms apart, the club linked with the Gold Coast Titans in the off season and may add some fringe NRL players to their ranks.

Easts Tigers

NRL affiliate: Melbourne Storm
Last year: Finals Week One (6th on ladder)

In an inconsistent year, the Tigers scraped into the top six but were blown off the paddock 46-4 by Townsville in the first week of the finals. Easts are now without fearless captain Dane Hogan (Sunshine Coast) but have been active in the player market nabbing exciting fullback Linc Port and former Colt Brayden Torpy from the Northern Pride.

Perhaps the most important signing is prop Steven Thorpe from UK side Sheffield Eagles. Thorpe skippered the the Tigers to consecutive grand finals in 2013 and '14 and his no-nonsense approach will have the club in good stead. Always bolstered by a strong Melbourne Storm presence, you can expect the club to again be thereabouts come finals.

Ipswich Jets

NRL affiliate: Brisbane Broncos
Last year: 9th

It was a challenging year for Ipswich who battled a premiership hangover, the departure of star players and several serious injuries. After claiming the title in '15, the Jets saw Kurt Capewell, Rod Griffin, Matt Parcell and Josh Cleeland depart, while Carlin Anderson (broken jaw) and Marmin Barba (leg) spent significant time on the sideline throughout the year. 

Still, Ipswich overcame a sluggish start to finish just two points shy of the top six. Anderson (Townsville) and Barba (time off) have both left the club but former Courier Mail Medal winner Luke Capewell has signed from Redcliffe. If you get a chance to watch the Jets free-range footy, it's well worth the $10 admission.

Mackay Cutters

NRL Affiliate: North Queensland Cowboys
Last year: 14th

Mackay took out the wooden spoon and have put the cleaners through their roster. Notably, they've picked up former Rooster Setaimata Sa from Widnes in the UK Super League and livewire Manly hooker Jayden Hodges.

North Queensland Under 20s assistant Steve Sheppard takes on the coaching role. He's brought several Cowboys youth players across including Queensland Under 20 half Cooper Bambling. An improvement on their away record is a must. Mackay didn't win any of 11 games on the road last year.

Northern Pride

NRL Affiliate: North Queensland Cowboys
Last year: 8th

The Pride won the premiership in 2014 but have slipped down the ladder since, with a host of elder statesmen retiring over the past two seasons. Former North Queensland winger Ty Williams takes the reins in 2017 and will be looking to impart the professionalism that defined his playing career.

David Murphy, Jack Svendsen, Linc Port and Brayden Torpy have all moved south to Easts but the club has picked up a pair of Canterbury Bulldogs in Graham Clark and Connor Jones. The Pride are somewhat an unknown quantity in 2017.

Norths Devils

NRL Affiliate: Brisbane Broncos
Last year: 11th

Two words. Chris Sandow. The Devils have thrown the unpredictable playmaker a lifeline in what could be a precursor to him throwing his hat in the ring for the Brisbane Broncos' vacant halfback spot in 2018. First things first, Sandow's goal will be to help the Devils improve on last season's eight wins.

Broncos forwards Jai Arrow, Francis Molo and Korbin Sims headline the pack, while Javarn White returns to Bishop Park after a brief stint across the river at the Tigers. White's combination with Sandow could be the spark coach Mark Gliddon has been searching for.

PNG Hunters

Last year: Week One Finals (5th on ladder)

The Hunters were bundled out on their home turf in week one of finals by the Falcons in what was a bitter result for a club that hadn't lost a match in PNG all season. After a strong year, outside back Justin Olam is now with the Melbourne Storm but his loss is tempered by the return of Israel Eliab. The mercurial Eliab was the Intrust Super Cup five-eighth of the year in 2015 and spent last season with the London Broncos.

Backed by the most parochial supporters in the sport, PNG are nigh untouchable at Kalabond Oval but they've got to bring similar performances to Australian soil to mix it with the big guns at the business end.

Redcliffe Dolphins

NRL Affiliate: Brisbane Broncos
Last year: Runners-up (1st on ladder)

Under Adam Mogg, the Dolphins took out the minor premiership but finished one win short of a title. Two of the team's stars, Anthony Cherrington (South Sydney) and Darren Nicholls (Penrith), have been snapped up by NRL clubs but Redcliffe have left no cheque unsigned in boosting their roster.

Highly-rated PNG centre Thompson Teteh has joined, while Nick Slyney (London Broncos) and David Hala (Gold Coast) return to the pack. After being charged with assault and menace in New York, ex-Wests prop Matt Lodge get a second chance at forging a professional career. When you add in Broncos-affiliated players Benji Marshall, Tom Opacic and Jonus Pearson, you can bank on the Dolphins again being at the pointy end of the table.

Souths Logan Magpies

NRL Affiliate: Brisbane Broncos
Last year: 7th

The Magpies were one of the big improvers in 2016 but enter this season under new coach Jon Buchanan, replacing Josh Hannay who joined North Queensland in an assistant role. In another significant loss, stalwart prop Andrew Edwards recently decided to hang up the boots.

Nuggety halfback Sam Scarlett was a standout and looks set to form arguably the best halves combination in the competition with the experienced Matt Minto (Central Queensland). The addition of Broncos centre Tautau Moga gives the Magpies another attacking point in the centres. Finals will be a realistic goal.

Sunshine Coast Falcons

NRL Affiliate: Melbourne Storm
Last year: Finals Week Three (5th on ladder)

After taking Easts to consecutive grand finals in 2013 and '14, coach Craig Ingebrigtsen worked some magic in his first season at the Falcons, lifting them from eleventh place to within one game of the grand final. He's managed to attract some big names to the club for 2017 including former NRL prop Scott Anderson (Wakefield), Dane Hogan (Easts) and Kevin Locke, who could prove an X-factor at the back.

A close relationship with the Melbourne Storm Under 20s squad, who are also based on the Sunshine Coast, means there will be plenty of competition for spots. A new hill and scoreboard at their Kawana Waters home ground is another step in the right direction.

Townsville Blackhawks

NRL Affiliate: North Queensland Cowboys
Last year: Finals Week Two (3rd on ladder)

The Blackhawks enter their third season with one of the best squads on paper. Former Warrior Sione Lousi, Manly backrower Blake Leary and Gold Coast hooker Kierran Moseley are key additions in the pack but Townsville's undoubted strength lies in their spine.

In a welcome selection headache, coach Kristian Wolf will choose between Moseley, Anthony Mitchell, Ray Thompson, Michael Parker-Walshe and new signing Carlin Anderson (Ipswich) for four starting spots. The Blackhawks have only lost four games out of 27 at home since joining the competition in 2015.  

Tweed Heads Seagulls

NRL Affiliate: Gold Coast Titans
Last year: 13th

Statistically, Tweed Heads were the worst attacking team in a year where they amassed a significant casualty ward. Coach Aaron Zimmerle admitted his side lacked size and has enticed prop Damien Sironen back to the club after he skippered the Illawarra Cutters to NSW Cup and State Championship titles last season.

A 26-14 trial win over Souths Logan earlier this month gives fans some hope things are heading upwards. Four games in the first five weeks at their Piggabeen home could kick-start their year.

Wynnum Manly Seagulls

NRL Affiliate: Brisbane Broncos
Last year: 10th

The Seagulls dropped from fourth in 2015 to tenth last season and parted ways with coach Jon Buchanan as a result. It's hard to pinpoint what went wrong for the Seagulls but it's equally difficult to see them flailing again this year.

Tough-as-nails lock Mitchell Frei returns home to skipper the side after one season and a handful of NRL appearances with the Sydney Roosters. They've also added veteran half Travis Burns (St Helens) and junior Kangaroo and Queensland Under 20 playmaker Jayden Berrell to their squad. Wynnum Manly can also call on fringe Bronco forward Mitchell Dodds, who was part of the club's 2012 premiership-winning side.