QUEENSLAND CUP ROUND 12 PREVIEW

NORTHS DEVILS v NORTH QUEENSLAND YOUNG GUNS Bishop Park, 2pm Saturday, June 4.

Lack of hunger should not be a problem for players on either side in the ABC televised match ? and not merely because they may have to skip lunch prior to the game.

After becoming Souths Logan?s first scalp of the year last week, those in the Norths squad will be eager to show they still have the NRL potential that led to them being hand-picked by the Melbourne Storm.

Indeed, prop Rob Tanielu was amid in a keen tug-of-war between both Melbourne and North Queensland several seasons ago, but is yet to regain the form that saw him so eagerly pursued.

A number of players in the Young Guns squad would no doubt like to prove they belong back in the national league as well. Chris Sheppard, David Myles and Neil Sweeney have all played a role in the Cowboys? marked improvement since 2002.

Four players who have displayed they will be worth watching in seasons to come are Col Wilkie (Norths), Scott Anderson (Norths), James Anderson (North QLD) and Scott Bolton (North QLD), members of Queensland?s victorious Under 19s team last week.

Wilkie, a former Townsville schoolboy, was particularly impressive as a replacement off the bench and scored a fine try after steam-rolling two New South Wales defenders.

Since North Queensland was readmitted to the Queensland Cup, clashes against the Devils have seen six of the seven games won by the home side.

Referee for Saturday?s game will be Rob Alexander.

NORTHS DEVILS: Quentin Laulu-Togagae, Aaron Morgan, Josh Graham, Ryan Shortland, Chad Leach, Jeremiah Pai, Marc Brentnall, Pat Gardner, Nathan Friend, Rob Tanielu, Aaron Bulow, Sika Manu, Anthony Boyd ?. Interchange: Col Wilkie, Scott Anderson, Adam Blair, Brent Mulholland.

NORTH QUEENSLAND YOUNG GUNS: Jason Barsley, Sema Mataora, Dean Payne, Neil Sweeney, Charles Vis, David Myles, Chris Sheppard, Ben Lowe, Clint Amos, Matthew Scott, Daniel Strickland ?, Gavin Cooper, Shane Muspratt. Interchange: James Anderson, Scott Bolton, Mark Dalle Cort, Wallace Solomona. ____________________________________________

EASTS TIGERS v REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS Langlands Park, 3pm Saturday, June 4.

Veterans Nigel Roy and Scott Sipple have been named to return to an Easts side that has lost four games in succession.

They will play a Redcliffe outfit that has traveled in the opposite direction over the last month, winning its last four games.

A healthy rivalry has always existed between the two highly-professional clubs, with extra spice added by former Redcliffe boy Leigh Coghill now playing for the Tigers.

One of the most devastating forwards in the competition, Coghill will match wits with the likes of Adam Starr, who is welcomed back from suspension.

Redcliffe has placed an unusual request with the QRL, asking for prop Troy Lindsay to receive a full 100 demerit points for a grade two striking charge, rather than the 75 for an early guilty plea. With Lindsay (quadriceps) likely to miss the game in any case, the Dolphins want to avoid any carry-over points which may take effect later in the season.

Meanwhile Greg Bourke ? not to be confused with Danny Burke or Ben Bourke who are also playing - is just 10 points away from 100 this season. The prolific centre is also 36 away from matching the second-highest point-scorer in Queensland Cup history, with John Wilshere (896) in his sights.

Redcliffe beat the Tigers 42-28 in Round Two of this season, but lost both games against the black-and-golds in 2004.

Justin Eastwood will officiate at Langlands Park.

EASTS TIGERS: Matt Lockyer, Steve Beattie, Nigel Roy, Rob Maller, Walter Imo, Brandon Costin, Jason Connors, Dallas Hood, Steve Goodhew, Trevor Exton, Leigh Coghill, Marty Allen, Darren Smith ?. Interchange: Ben Bourke, Scott Sipple, Phil Dennis, Scott Young.

REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS: Ryan Cullen, Phil Shilvock, Greg Bourke, Jamie Russo, Chris Giumelli, Shane Perry ?, Michael Roberts, Adam Starr, Shannon Fish, Nick Walker, Matt Mapes, Danny Burke, Grant Flugge. Interchange: Luke Tonion, Gerard Parle, Duane O?Grady, Damien Jentz. ____________________________________________

TOOWOOMBA CLYDESDALES v IPSWICH JETS Clive Berghofer Stadium, Saturday 4.45pm, June 4.

A regular fixture for Toowoomba last season, Jason McDougall has worked his way back into to the State League after breaking his jaw twice in succession.

Originally from Christchurch, McDougall represented New Zealand in Under 16s, 17s and 19s and only turned 20 last month.

He retains his spot after making a comeback in the Clydesdales? 35-22 loss against Redcliffe last week. Meanwhile fellow Kiwi Joe Clarke has also returned alongside him on the bench, displacing Ian Blake.

Ipswich sits three wins behind Toowoomba on the ladder, but drew 22-all with the Clydesdales in Round Two. The Jets are also coming off a win, having accounted for Central 22-20 last Saturday.

Extra onus will be on the match, with the historic Bulimba Cup up for grabs. Toowoomba is the current holder of the silverware and was also the inaugural winner in 1925.

Should Clydesdales chief executive Neale Wyatt ever tire of football it seems he may try his hand at satire. At the beginning of the season Wyatt filled in several of his teammates? profile sheets and provided a number of questionable answers.

Apparently Stu Kelly dreams of ?playing the harpsichord?, Michael Ryan?s pet hate is ?electrolysis? and Nick Parfitt?s lifelong ambition is to ?return to planet Krypton?.

Brett Suttor has been named referee for the local derby.

TOOWOOMBA CLYDESDALES: Nick Parfitt, Tame Tupou, Steve Michaels, Michael Bond, Tony Duggan, Stuart Kelly, Berrick Barnes, Tom Learoyd Lahrs, Michael Ryan, Anthony Seibold ?, Nick Kenny, Sam Thaiday, Neale Wyatt. Interchange: Ben Vaeau, Ian Lacey, Joe Clarke, Jason McDougall.

IPSWICH JETS: Andy Poynter, Steven West, Geoff Chalk, Jonathon Muir, Luke Walker, Brendon Lindsay, Ricky Bird, Grant Young, Adam Boettcher, Mat Cameron, Steele Retchless, Matt McPhee, Danny Coburn ?. Interchange: Bevan Heuir, Shannon Cameron, Marcus Jensen, Todd Riggs. ____________________________________________

CENTRAL COMETS v WYNNUM SEAGULLS Browne Park, 7pm Saturday, June 4.

Central has handed an opportunity to James Radloff, the leading point-scorer in the CQ Extended League.

Usually a fullback with Gladstone Brothers, Radloff is the latest in local players that have been given a chance with the last-placed Comets. From nine rounds so far this season, Radloff has 14 tries and 50 goals for a tally of 156 points.

Once more coach Neale Crow will wait until later in the week before finalising his selections, leaving three positions on the bench open.

Wynnum enters the game after a disappointing 36-10 loss to Tweed Heads in Round 11.

Omitted due to injury last weekend, halfback Jace Van Dijk has been named as captain, a role Damien Quinn usually fulfils.

Nick Bowman has been slotted in at lock for the Seagulls in place of John Bruce, who faces a grade one careless high tackle. Bruce already has 56 carry-over points and one similar prior offence.

Craig Greenhill is also up on the same charge, but has been included in Wynnum?s team. The former State of Origin forward has 75 existing carry-over points.

In the last seven matches between the two clubs Central has not beaten Wynnum once. Several of the Comets have a chance to go head-to head with former teammate Peter Penaia.

Clayton Sharpe is the referee for Saturday evening?s match.

CENTRAL COMETS: Mark Henry ?, James Radloff, Matt Hill, Trent McKinlay, Clint Rothery, Mitch Wyatte, Aoterangi Herangi, Kurt Cawdron, Jade Wogand, Grant Broadhurst, Todd Brandon, Herewini Rangi, Kane Hardy. Interchange: Toby Wallace, (Three to be added).

WYNNUM SEAGULLS: Daniel Sorbello, Simon Phillips, Jimmy Ahmat, Damien Quinn, Michael Rose, Nathan Murphy, Jace Van Dijk ?, Danny McAllister, Royce Simms, Craig Greenhill, Gary Winter, Gareth Turton, Nick Bowman. Interchange: Peter Penaia, Clayton Maher, Darren Bain, Brett McPherson. ____________________________________________

BURLEIGH BEARS v SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES Pizzey Park, Saturday 3pm, June 5.

Burleigh has been granted special permission to appeal the severity of an Ali Brown striking charge ? even though he has served his first week of his suspension.

With chief executive Scott Clark in camp with the Queensland Under 19s last week, the Bears indicated they would suffer a one-match ban and try to challenge the grading a week later. The request was accepted.

Brown?s replacement as captain, Ryan Gundry, has also run afoul of the match review committee however and has accepted a grade one dangerous throw charge. An early plea brought 93 points, whereas a guilty verdict would have attracted 125 demerits.

Opponent Souths Logan?s hopes of continuing its giant-killing form have also taken a blow courtesy of disciplinary charges. Forward Jim Baira is contesting a grade two striking charge that carries 175 points if found guilty.

While Burleigh is unbeaten at home in 14 months, Souths Logan?s last appearance was a 22-20 win against NRL feeder club Norths. The Magpies also beat the Devils in season 2003 amid similar circumstance.

Coach Phil Economidis revealed he had moved livewire Nathaniel Bowman to five-eighth to relieve the pressure on go-to man Bob Blair. Bowman had played wing and centre since arriving from Townsville, but is seen to have greater options at five-eighth.

Burleigh?s Reggie Cressbrook cracked 100 points for the season last week and now leads the competition with 41 goals and six tries. Michael Wise will referee the Sunday game.

BURLEIGH BEARS: Reggie Cressbrook, Trent Purdon, Balin Cupples, Trent Leis, Aseri Laing, Adam Hayden, David Hicks, Ali Brown, Ryan Gundry ?, Shane O?Flanagan, Martin Griese, Adam Hutchinson, Adrian Vowles. Interchange: James Griffith, Scott Cooke, Nick Shaw, Robert Apanui, Jeremy Lateo.

SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES: Eddie Dodd, Jacob Christie, Grant Lewis, Bob Blair, Matt Templeman, Nathaniel Bowman, Cameron Joyce, Andrew Anderson, Scott Smith, Ashley Lanfranchi, Darren Glase ?, Matt Bell, Marvin Alo. Interchange: Graham Levu, Craig Chapman, Jim Baira, Adrian Maloney.

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