Season set for climactic end

NORTHS DEVILS 72 defeat SOUTHS-LOGAN MAGPIES 8

Norths will unleash the full fury of the Storm against Redcliffe next Saturday in a bid to win the minor premiership and the Devils? first Spotless Club Championship in over 30 years.

In one of the biggest challenges in club history, the Nundah-based side will look for wins in all three grades against Redcliffe at Dolphin Oval to deliver the prestigious mantles.

To win the Club Championship for the first time since 1974, Norths needs to maintain a slender two-point buffer over Burleigh. However to claim the minor premiership is more complex, with the Devils also needing Burleigh and North Queensland to lose State League fixtures against Wynnum and Toowoomba respectively.

The against-the-odds proposition is softened somewhat by a bye for sister-club Melbourne in the NRL, meaning the possible addition of several key players. A return from injury for greased-lightning back Steve Turner (ankle) is also on the cards.

Norths is currently on an eight-game winning streak and most recently scored a 72-8 win against Souths Logan, the biggest margin of victory by any team this season.

The result against the Magpies served as revenge for an embarrassing upset earlier in the year.

?We were very professional I thought. We got in, did what we had to and got out,? coach Wayne Treleaven said.

?The team was on song, as it should be at this time of year. I didn?t mention the result against Souths Logan earlier in the year, but I think the players would have been mindful.?

Touted as a possible coach for Souths Logan in 2006, Brandon Costin collected a personal tally of 26 points from two tries and nine goals for Norths. He was voted Players? Player for the performance.

Tainting the afternoon was an ankle injury to captain Anthony Boyd. Initial diagnosis suggested the injury was serious, however further tests will follow in coming days.

Aside from Costin others to feature prominently in the win were Marc Brentnall and Pat Gardner. Youngster Smith Samau once again made the most of his opportunities and scored for the Devils.

Intrigue will surround the possible selection of Greg Inglis against Redcliffe next week. The prolific teen has fallen behind Simon Phillips to be second on the leading try-scorers list.

Next Saturday?s crunch match between Norths and the Dolphins is the ABC?s televised game at 2pm. Souths Logan hosts neighbouring nemesis Easts at Davies Park on Sunday at 3pm.

NORTHS DEVILS 72(Tries: Josh Tatupu 2, Josh Graham 2, Ryan Shortland 2, Brandon Costin 2, Smith Samau, Col Wilkie, Marc Brentnall, Aaron Bulow, Nathan Friend. Goals: Brandon Costin 9, Aaron Morgan)

defeated

SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 8 (Tries: Bob Blair, Jerry Ahern.)

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