Qld Cup 2006 Reaches Halfway Mark

WHICH Norths player aims to be a hometown hero when the Wizard Cup takes a special expedition to Bundaberg on Saturday night? What club has nine top-line players out injured? When was the last time Souths Logan beat Toowoomba?

Read our Round 11 preview notes for answers to these questions and more.

IPSWICH v EASTS
QLD Group Stadium, Saturday May 27, 2.00pm *Live on ABC TV
Referee: Clayton Sharpe

THE STORY: Ipswich welcomes back skipper Danny Coburn from suspension as it aims to lift itself off the bottom of the Wizard Cup ladder. Opponent Easts is just as hungry, having not experienced victory since April 9. The two sides play biannually for the Luxury Paints Cup, with the away team winning in both clashes last year.

THE STAT: Easts has at least nine top-line players missing through injury, with Marcus Jensen breaking his jaw in the club?s two-point loss to Tweed Heads. Others out are Steele Retchless (quad), Kev Stephensen (wrist), Aaron Kuskey (knee), Steve Beattie (knee), Anthony Armour (back), Drew Donovan (back), Michael Pearce (shoulder) and Jason Bulgarelli (calf).

THE STAR: Ipswich utility Travis Baker played centre for Easts in the 1997 grand final against Redcliffe. The only remaining Tigers from then are Brett McPherson and Scott Sipple.

CHANGES: IPSWICH ? In: Danny Coburn, Paul Jackwitz. Out: Lachlan Sippel, Andy Poynter.
EASTS ? In: Trevor Exton, Alec Fata. Out: Marcus Jensen, Steve Goodhew.

CHARGES: None.

Ipswich Jets
1. Aaron WERTH
2. Ben McFADGEAN
3. Geoff CHALK
4. Chris SCANLAN
5. Jarrod BIGGS
6. Brendon MARSHALL
7. Ricky BIRD
13. Danny COBURN (c)
12. Joel REITHMULLER
11. Matthew McPHEE
10. Paul JACKWITZ
9. Chris PORTER
8. Joe SANG-YUM
Interchange:
14. Mananui TE HEU HEU
15. Bevan HEUIR
16. Cameron MULCAHY
17. Travis BAKER
Coach: Trevor GILLMEISTER

Easts Tigers
1. Matt LOCKYER (C)
2. Donald MALONE
3. Shane NEUMANN
4. Mark McKENZIE
5. David TYRELL
6. Luke BRANIGHAN
7. Brett McPHERSON
13. Mark CANTONI
12. Mark MEREDITH
11. Marty ALLEN
10. Cameron DURNFORD
9. Jamie TOMLINSON
8. Scott SIPPLE
Interchange:
14. Trevor EXTON
15. Damian DURNFORD
16. John TAMANIKA
17. Alec FATA
Coach: Michael BOOTH

SOUTHS LOGAN v TOOWOOMBA
Brandon Park, Saturday May 27, 3.00pm.
Referee: Brett Suttor

THE STORY: After years of torment at the hands of the Clydesdales, Souths Logan would dearly love to gain revenge with its new-look side. Unfortunately for the Magpies they have lost try-thief Damian Willis to suspension and prop Geno Costin to injury. Fellow prop Josh Griffiths is also at long odds to play.

THE STAT: Souths Logan has not beaten Toowoomba since June 30, 1996. In the last five seasons Toowoomba has averaged 52.2 points per game against the long-suffering Pies.

THE STAR: Denan Kemp was a try-scorer for Queensland Under 19 against NSW Under 19 at Telstra Stadium on Wednesday. Had he arrived in the Wizard Cup at any other time than the Greg Inglis ?explosion?, his own feats would have raised more eyebrows. Since converting from soccer he has posted 16 tries in just 15 appearances.

CHANGES: SOUTHS LOGAN ? In: John Andrews, Josh Henaway, Tim Cannard. Out: Damian Willis, Geno Costin, Tanu Wulf.
TOOWOOMBA ? In: Leon Bott, Joel Moon, Lachlan Morgan. Out: Josh Phelps, Brett Seymour, Greg Eastwood.

CHARGES: SOUTHS LOGAN ? Damian Willis (Grade 4 Dangerous Throw, Downgrade + Early Plea, 3wks + 93pts).

Souths Logan Magpies
1. Quentin LAULU-TOGAGAE
2. Tyrone COPPEDGE
3. Michael ANSCHAU
4. John ANDREWS
5. Matt TEMPLEMAN
6. Brandon COSTIN (c)
7. Phil DENNIS
13. Josh HENAWAY
12. Tim CANNARD
11. Jason MITCHELL
10. Angus MARTIN
9. Cameron JOYCE
8. Josh GRIFFITH
Interchange:
14. Stanley FAU
15. Chris McGURK
16. Josh ESSEX
17. Dinny KYLE
Coach: Mark GLIDDON

Toowoomba Clydesdales
1. Todd PARNELL
2. Gideon MZEMBE
3. Jamie SIMPSON
4. Leon BOTT
5. Denan KEMP
6. Joel MOON
7. Ben GREEN (c)
13. Derricke WATKINS
12. Fraser ANDERSON
11. Neville COSTIGAN
10. Ben VAEAU
9. John TE REO
8. Nick KENNY
Interchange:
14. Lynden MURPHY
15. Shane EASTWOOD
16. Lachlan MORGAN
17. Michael GREEN
Coach: Mark GEE

NORTH QLD v WYNNUM MANLY
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Saturday May 27, 3.30pm.
Referee: Michael Wise

THE STORY: The strange anomaly going into this game is that North Queensland was a last-up loser, while Wynnum Manly won in its last start. On the ladder however, the Young Guns are second and the Seagulls are ninth. Talented forward Jacob Lillyman has withdrawn from the Young Guns, while Mark Leafa left the Seagulls for English club Whitehaven on Monday.

THE STAT: Former North Queenslander Jimmy Ahmat reaches 99 Wizard Cup games for Wynnum Manly this weekend. He will move to third all-time for the club in the modern State League era, trailing only Clayton Maher (146 games) and David Seage (113).

THE STAR: Robert Tanielu ran for 108 metres, made 13 tackles without a single miss and incurred zero errors in his first NRL appearance for North Queensland a fortnight ago. Another strong showing in front of Graham Murray will push his credentials even more.

CHANGES: NORTH QLD ? In: Dean Payne, Scott Smith, Scott Bolton, Dean Limpus. Out: Jacob Lillyman, James Andersen, Greg Byrnes, Jamie Frizzo.
WYNNUM MANLY ? In: Zac Chisholm. Out: Mark Leafa.

CHARGES: None.

North Qld Young Guns
1. Jason BARSLEY
2. Neil SWEENEY
3. Josh HANNAY
4. Mark HENRY
5. Dean PAYNE
6. Brent McCONNELL
7. Brett FIRMAN
13. Shane MUSPRATT
12. Mark DALLE CORT
11. Daniel STRICKLAND (c)
10. Ray CASHMERE
9. Clint AMOS
8. Robert TANIELU
Interchange:
14. Scott SMITH
15. Scott BOLTON
16. Ben LOWE
17. Dean LIMPUS
Coach: Mick CRAWLEY

Wynnum Manly Seagulls
1. Bill WYATT
2. Rodney BARBA
3. Simon PHILLIPS
4. Steve IRWIN
5. Tangi ROPATI
6. Jimmy AHMAT (c)
7. Daniel SORBELLO
13. John BRUCE
12. Luke DALZIEL DON
11. Darren BAIN
10. Gary WINTER
9. Albert TALIPEAU
8. Fili SOFA
Interchange:
14. Josh ROVELLI
15. Matt ROSS
16. Zac CHISHOLM
17. Kerry SMITH
Coach: Neil WHARTON

NORTHS v CENTRAL
Salter Oval, Bundaberg, Saturday May 27, 6.30pm
Referee: Justin Davis

THE STORY: The first Wizard Cup game to be played in Bundaberg since 1998 will be staged at recently upgraded Salter Oval. Long-time powerhouse Norths will hope that relocating its home game there snaps a five-game losing streak. Devils back-rower Troy Hansen is a former Bundaberg Brothers junior.

THE STAT: Norths has made five announced changes to the side which lost 42-10 against Toowoomba, calling on many of the club?s younger stars. In comparison Central has stayed steady with the same side which beat Ipswich 28-14.

THE STAR: Former Brisbane, Bulldogs and Melbourne forward Dennis Scott recently likened Norths fullback Smith Samau to Matt Bowen. Word is he is being eagerly sought by a number of clubs. Scott wrote on the Melbourne Storm website that Samau could ?step his way out of a mousetrap?, such is his speed and footwork.

CHANGES: NORTHS ? In: Smith Samau, Will Chambers, Jackson Nicolau, James Aubusson, Adam Blair. Out: Daniel Isaac, Josh Tatupu, Nathan Turner, Luke Samoa, Brendan Afitu.
CENTRAL ? None announced.

CHARGES: None

Norths Devils
1. Smith SAMAU
2. Aaron MORGAN
3. Will CHAMBERS
4. Jackson NICOLAU
5. Chad LEACH
6. James AUBUSSON
7. Isaac KAUFMANN
13. Anthony BOYD
12. Troy HANSEN
11. Aaron BULOW
10. Scott ANDERSON
9. Brenton STONIER
8. Adam BLAIR
Interchange:
14. Trent HENRICK
15. Willie SCANLON
16. Sika MANU
17. Cody HERRINGTON
Coach: Wayne TRELEAVEN

Central Comets
1. Jimmy McCONACHY
2. Michael FAIRWEATHER
3. Anthony TOBY
4. Dallas WILLIAMS
5. McConkie TAUASA
6. Scott PORTER
7. Denny LAMBERT
13. Mick ESDALE
12. Tyron HAYNES
11. Andrew DALE
10. Marty OBORN
9. Herewini RANGI
8. Aaron SWEENEY
Interchange:
14. Kristian MENE
15. Mark SINIULA
16. Wayne BARNETT
17. Jade WOGAND
Coach: Matt PARISH

TWEED HEADS v REDCLIFFE
Piggabeen Complex, Sunday May 28, 3.00pm
Referee: Justin Eastwood

THE STORY: In danger of losing pace with front-runners Redcliffe, North Queensland and Toowoomba, fourth-placed Tweed would dearly love a win against the Dolphins. Redcliffe is out in front after last week?s gripping 16-14 win against the Young Guns.

THE STAT: After famously getting the jump on Redcliffe 40-38 in their first-ever televised game in 2003, the Seagulls have been unable to beat the Dolphins since, losing five matches in succession.

THE STAR: A week after scoring the last-minute match-winner against North Queensland, Rory Bromley has been left to sweat out his inclusion this weekend. If halfback Marty Turner fails a fitness test, he will come into the side at five-eighth, with Chris Fox at halfback. Tweed Heads has managed to successfully fight a dangerous throw charge against Eddie Harrison, one of the club?s best from Round 10.

CHANGES: TWEED HEADS ? None announced.
REDCLIFFE ? In: Ryan Cullen, Marty Turner. Out: Pat McGill, Rory Bromley.

CHARGES: TWEED HEADS ? Eddie Harrison (Grade 1 Dangerous Throw, Not Guilty).

Tweed Heads
1. James WOOD
2. Scott ELLA
3. Jay McDERMOTT
4. Josh VAUGHAN
5. Nat BARNES
6. Brad DAVIS
7. Tim MACCAN
13. Matt POW
12. Tom PRICHARD
11. Eddie HARRISON
10. Roy FRIEND
9. Matt KING (c)
8. Matt AUSTIN
Interchange:
14. Jeff MOATE
15. Selasi BERDIE
16. Dean ALLEN
17. Joe CUDMORE
Coach: Steve MURPHY

Redcliffe Dolphins
1. Ryan CULLEN
2. Kaine MANIHERA
3. Greg BOURKE
4. Nick EMMETT
5. Alwyn SIMPSON
6. Chris FOX
7. Marty TURNER
13. Gerard PARLE
12. Danny BURKE
11. Grant FLUGGE
10. Adam STARR
9. Michael ROBERTS
8. Troy LINDSAY (c)
Interchange:
14. Mark SHIPWAY
15. Richie RUSSELL
16. Shannon FISH
17. Pat GARDNER
Coach: Anthony GRIFFIN

BURLEIGH ? Bye
CHARGES: Scott Sipple (Grade 1 Reckless High Tackle, Downgrade + Early Plea, 0wks +56pts).