QLD CUP FINALS: NORTHS v BURLEIGH

NORTHS v BURLEIGH, Bishop Park, Sunday 3pm, August 28.

NORTHS prop Rob Tanielu has been charged with a grade five reckless high tackle and could be out of action until season 2006.

The Devils are yet to indicate whether they will fight the charge.

The incident relates to a 29th minute tackle on forward Damien Jentz from a kick restart in last weekend?s match against Redcliffe. Tanielu already has 75 points from a previous offence and will get 300 more points with an early plea or 400 if proven guilty.

Potentially the New Zealander could miss the first two games of next season when he joins NRL club North Queensland.

Burleigh has named front row rival Shane O?Flanagan despite concerns over a rib injury. Otherwise the Bears appear to have suffered nothing but bruised egos from a final round loss against Wynnum which dropped them to third spot.

Hooker Ryan Gundry has already been confirmed as out for the season after a severe cork of the quadriceps in Round 20. Coach Rock Stone said it was a huge loss as Gundry ?has more influence over our game than the normal hooker?.

Norths has named backrower Jeremy Smith to return (neck) and could potentially receive Greg Inglis and Peter Robinson back from the Melbourne Storm this week. Cooper Cronk has not qualified for the QRL finals. With Antonio Kaufusi not listed, Mixwell Cup representative Nathan Turner receives another opportunity in first grade.

The last time these clubs met at Bishop Park Burleigh won 60-10. However Norths dumped the Bears 38-16 at Pizzey Park just three weeks ago.

Brett Suttor has been entrusted with the whistle for the big match.

NORTHS: Greg Inglis, Josh Tatupu, Josh Graham, Ryan Shortland, Aaron Morgan, Brandon Costin, Marc Brentnall, Pat Gardner, Nathan Friend, Scott Anderson, Aaron Bulow, Peter Robinson, Jeremy Smith. Interchange: Col Wilkie, Adam Blair, Rob Tanielu, Nathan Turner.

BURLEIGH: Reggie Cressbrook, Balin Cupples, Nick Shaw, Trent Leis, Aseri Laing, Adam Hayden, David Hicks, Ali Brown ?, Matt Doeg, Shane O?Flanagan, Martin Griese, Adam Hutchison, Adrian Vowles. Interchange: James Griffiths, Jeremy Lateo, Scott Cooke, Robert Apanui.

Special thanks to the QRL website for another fantastic article.

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