Redcliffe vs Burleigh Preview

The Clash of the two most successful Queensland clubs in the last decade.

Since the Queensland Cup began, Redcliffe has won 155 matches, with Burleigh second on 129 wins. However the Bears have played 26 less matches, having entered the competition a year later.

It is no coincidence that these clubs also boast the largest junior numbers in the state. Redcliffe had 745 junior players last season, while Burleigh had 573.

Host Burleigh welcomes back Aseri Laing (ankle) and Nick Shaw (calf), while Adam Hutchinson has been rewarded for good form with a starting role in the forwards.

Both Martin Griese and Wayne Phillis are in doubt, with Josh McCartney and Travis Simpson on standby. David Hicks has beat McCartney to the starting halfback role.

For Redcliffe, hard-hitting back rower Grant Flugge makes a return from suspension in jersey number 17. Former Ireland World Cup player Liam Tallon suffered a torn hamstring in Redcliffe?s win over Easts last week.

After several years in the wilderness, including a stint with the Nambour Crushers, former junior star Matt Mapes comes back to the Queensland Cup in the Dolphins? starting pack. The referee is Justin Eastwood.

BURLEIGH: Reggie Cressbrook, Trent Purdon, Trent Leis, Balin Cupples, Aseri Laing, Adam Hayden, David Hicks, Ali Brown?, Ryan Gundry, Shane O?Flanagan, Martin Griese, Adam Hutchinson, Robert Apanui.. Interchange: James Griffiths, Kris Flint, Wayne Phillis, Nick Shaw.

REDCLIFFE: Ryan Cullen, Mark Christensen, Greg Bourke, Nick Emmett, Matt Gruszka, Shane Perry, Michael Roberts, Troy Lindsay, Shannon Fish, Adam Starr, Matt Mapes, Danny Burke, Gerard Parle. Interchange: Matt Dawson, Nathan Herbener, Nick Walker, Grant Flugge.

Article courtesy of the QRL. for more Qld Cup news and information visit www.qrl.com.au