PREVIEW: Intrust Super Cup QLD - 2016 Round 18

A full preview of the 18th round of the Intrust Super Cup from the QRL Media team.

Sunshine Coast Falcons v Redcliffe Dolphins
Sunshine Coast Stadium on Saturday, July 9 - 3pm
Referee: Gavin Reynolds
Head-to-Head: Redcliffe 8 Sunshine Coast 6
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #SCFvPHINS

Even in their lean years facing off against "big brother" Redcliffe would bring out the competitive nature in the Sunshine Coast; with the clubs playing out several strongly contested matches. This weekend, the Falcons will need to be on their game if they are to snag an upset; with the Dolphins being stung by a Wynnum Manly field goal last weekend. The Falcons travelled to Mackay in Round 17 and became the Cutters second scalp of the year in a performance that would have disappointed coach Craig Ingebrigtsen. In a quirk of the draw brought about by the Dolphins' home ground renovations; this will be the fourth game in a row between these two sides at Sunshine Coast Stadium. Redcliffe won the game earlier this year, while the Falcons took the spoils in the previous two games. For tomorrow's game; the Dolphins will be without forward Tyson Cleal who will miss the next two games after taking an early guilty plea for striking.

*While the on-field spectacle should be enough to entice the fans to the ground; the stadium is also hosting a great family day to help raise money for local girl Lyla, who is battling illness. There will be jumping castles, face painters, sausage sizzle and a Monster Raffle with an array of great prizes. A percentage of the gate takings will be donated to Lyla and her family. More information at the Sunshine Coast Falcons Facebook page. Two girls matches featuring teams from the All Girls Challenge will also be played before the FOGS Colts Challenge match in the lead-up to the main game at 3pm.

XXXX Rivalry Match of the Round
Souths Logan Magpies v Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Davies Park on Sunday, July 10 - 1.40pm* (Live on Channel 9/Southern Cross QLD) 
Referee: Michael Gordon
Head-to-Head: Wynnum 27 Souths Logan 11 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #SLMvWYM  

With both teams having secured upset wins last weekend - it bodes well for an entertaining TV match against these two old Brisbane Rugby League combatants. A late Matt Seamark field goal handed the Seagulls a savoured win over the Redcliffe Dolphins last weekend, while the Magpies made all other teams take notice when they were never headed by the Townsville Blackhawks last weekend. The last time these two sides met (in Round 5), the Magpies claimed a remarkably unexpected victory when big forward Leon Panapa stepped up and kicked the ball over the posts to hand his side a 21-20 victory. It was the first time in his 122-game Cup career that he had landed a field goal. This game will also be his 50th Cup game for the Magpies (having played for Easts and this weekend's opponents Wynnum Manly). This will also be the 150th Cup game for Wynnum Manly fullback Daniel Ogden. Ogden - who also previously played for the Devils - is second on the list of all-time leading Cup try scorers with 118. This weekend however, the Magpies will be without forward George Fai who scored a try in last week's win as he has been selected to play for the Queensland Under 20 side on Wednesday night.

Burleigh Bears v Norths Devils
Pizzey Park on Sunday, July 10 - 2pm
Referee: Jarrod Cole
Head-to-Head: Burleigh 23 Norths 18
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #BEARSvDEVILS

Top-of-the-table Burleigh will host the Norths Devils this weekend and they will be keen to maintain their dominance over the chasing pack by posting an imposing win. Coming into this game following a Round 17 bye - the Bears will be keen to get back into their season, but will need to be on their guard against the improving Devils. Last weekend - the Nundah side were able to match it with the Easts Tigers in a gritty first half, with the two sides going into the break level at 10-10. However, in the second half, the suspensions and injuries to key players really took their toll, with Easts able to run away with the game to claim a 40-14 victory. Still in the hunt for a finals spot; this weekend is another tough assignment for Norths who face a confident Bears side who have recorded three wins and a draw from their past four home games. However, the visitors will welcome the return of powerful forward Dylan Smith from suspension, while winger Michael Lucas also joins the team this week. For the Bears, Nathaniel Peteru has been named on the bench following his appearance for the Titans last weekend against the Warriors.

Easts Tigers v CQ Capras 
Suzuki Stadium, Langlands Park on Sunday, July 10 - 3pm
Referee: Ben Watts
Head-to-Head: Easts 29 Central 9 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #TIGESvCQC

The Easts Tigers will be favourites to notch a win over the Capras and continue their climb up the ladder; however, the CQ side can be a tricky proposition, especially when their forward pack are looking forward to testing themselves against the highly regarded Tigers. Coach Kim Williams has named a seven-man bench in preparation for this match - and has also named the experienced Guy Williams to start in the second row. A former skipper, the guidance of Williams on the field will be important. Last weekend, the Capras went down to a reinvigorated Ipswich Jets side, while the Tigers were able to blow the Devils away in the second half after being forced to work hard for every point in the first. The Tigers have a comfortable head-to-head advantage over the Capras and have won seven of the past eight games between them. Easts are also tough to beat at home and have recorded six wins and a draw in the past seven games at their Coorparoo ground. The Capras have not won at Langlands since 2011 and have also lost their past five away games. For this match, the Storm's AFL recruit Shem Tatupu has been named in an extended squad for the Tigers. The former Hawthorne Hawk has spent some time this season with the Tigers BRL team.

Northern Pride v Ipswich Jets
Barlow Park on Sunday, July 9 - 3pm
Referee: Tim Rutherford
Head-to-Head: Pride 11 Ipswich 8 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PRIDEvJETS

The Ipswich Jets will travel to Cairns this weekend hoping to improve on their away record against the Northern Pride. The Jets last won a game at Barlow Park in 2008, a trend the Walker brothers will be keen to turn around. Interestingly, the Pride have a similarly poor away record in Ipswich, but they managed to claim a 26-24 victory in Round 5 at North Ipswich Reserve - making it the first away win between these two sides in 16 games. In another indication of the keen rivalry between the two sides; in their past eight matches, neither team has been able to win two in a row against the other. There is much at stake for both sides this weekend, as the Pride sit three spots above the Jets sixth spot on the ladder. However; both teams have won seven games so far this season and in a congested middle-of-the-table; a win here could help push Ipswich back into finals contention - while the Pride will be looking to strengthen their hold on their position. This weekend, the Pride will be without the services of winger Javid Bowen who has been retained in the NQ Cowboys side for their match against Canberra on Monday night.

PNG Hunters - bye

Mackay Cutters - bye

Townsville Blackhawks - bye    

Tweed Heads Seagulls - bye

*Each week, the XXXX Rivalry Match of the Round will highlight a match that showcases a traditional rugby league rivalry. The storied histories of club battles, local derbies and bitter grand final combatants will take centre stage in this new promotion by XXXX that helps celebrate the heritage of the "greatest game of all".

**Statistics by Brad Tallon