Queensland Cup - Round 17 Preview

Grand final opponents in three of the eight Queensland Cup seasons thus far, Toowoomba and Redcliffe clash in this Saturday?s match of the round.

Fittingly, the clubs are again ranked one and two on the ladder, with almost equal for-and-against records.

Toowoomba holds the edge by two competition points however, and have won the only other match between the clubs this season.

In a cracker of a clash in round seven, the Clydesdales prevailed 34-26 to break a six-match unbeaten start to the season by the Dolphins

Balancing the equation, Redcliffe has kept Toowoomba winless at Dolphin Oval since the 2001 grand final.

On the day in question, Casey McGuire scored for the Clydesdales in the final minute to steal the premiership away from the hosts.

Interestingly, five former Redcliffe players are in this week?s Brisbane Broncos line -up ? David Stagg, Craig Frawley, Brent Tate, Dane Carlaw and Petero Civoniceva.

Civoniceva is the only one of the group not to play a fixture match for Toowoomba as well.

SATURDAY JULY 17 Redcliffe Dolphins v Toowoomba Clydesdales, 2.05pm, Dolphin Oval ABC TV live telecast?Redcliffe has welcomed back captain Troy Lindsay from a hamstring injury, with gutsy stand-in Nick Walker keeping a place on the bench?Joe Burley drops back to Mixwell Cup?Hard-hitting Dolphin Danny Burke has been let off with a caution for a high tackle against Tweed Heads last week?Toowoomba has named the same line-up the last two weeks, but several changes were made before its 84-6 humbling of Brothers Valleys and more changes are again expected this week?Those not named, but in the fray include Ben Ikin, Tom Learoyd, Carl Webb, Darren Mapp and David Stagg?Joe Clarke has been listed for the Clydesdales after sitting out last weekend with a sternum injury?Scott Minto has been named at centre after playing second row against Brothers Valleys?Damien Richters (190) of Redcliffe and Nick Parfitt (160) of Toowoomba are currently the two highest point scorers in the Queensland Cup?They scored a combined 40 points last weekend.

North Queensland Young Guns v Easts Tigers, 5.30pm, Dairy Farmers Stadium. An important game for both teams, with the Young Guns trying to scramble back into the top five and the Tigers equal in second place with three other clubs?North Queensland has bolstered its back row significantly, bringing in 100 games worth of NRL experience in Michael Luck and Daniel Strickland?Luck returns from groin injury, while Strickland was a traveling reserve with the Cowboys last week?Dean Payne and Simon Boyes drop out to accommodate their inclusion, while Wallace Solomona is back for Stephen Sheppard at five-eighth?Easts trio Paul Dezolt, Jason Barsley and Dane Campbell may have a point to prove, having been waived by the North Queensland club?Dezolt has actually been named in both jersey numbers nine and 14, however Trent Young is expected to start at hooker for the Tigers?Charlie Tonga starts at prop in place of Leigh Coghill (hamstring), while Scott Sipple and Marty Allen have been passed fit from concussion.

Central Comets v Brothers Valleys Blues, 7pm, Browne Park Central has dropped former captain Terry Benson after last round?s 42-28 loss to Souths Logan?Benson will not play CQ Extended League either as his local team Yeppoon has the bye?It hasn?t been a good week for Dysart juniors, with fellow Bulls graduate Matt Sing breaking his jaw in two places?Other changes for Central include the omission of Ryan Cullen (elbow), Blake Hinschen (shoulder) and Fili Sofa (personal)?Prop and team leader Stu Cheffirs finally returns from a bad ankle break which has kept him out four months?Mick Esdale is back from suspension, John Tamanika has been named fullback and Toby Wallace is on the bench?Brothers Valleys has used five hookers this season and this week three are in the starting line-up; Casey Bromilow is five-eighth, Pat Dall is halfback and Luke Srama is rake?Recent halves Carlos Mataora, Josh McCartney and Scott Maguire are either unavailable or listed elsewhere?Named at lock, Maguire will appeal a one-match ban for a high tackle tomorrow (Thursday) morning.

Burleigh Bears v Souths Logan Magpies, 7pm, Pizzey Park Considering themselves night-time specialists, the Bears will play the first game under their recently upgraded floodlights?Although Burleigh is well ahead of Souths Logan on the ladder, there are some very even match-ups in key positions?Halves Brent McConnell (Bears) and Jace Van Dijk (Magpies) have both played representative football this year, while hookers Ryan Gundry (Bears) and Daniel Irvine (Magpies) are similarly skilled and uncompromising characters?Looking to follow on from last weekend?s upset of Central and end the season on a high, Souths Logan must reverse a winless run against Burleigh since April 2000?The Magpies have omitted forward Zeb Dewson due to subterraneal shoulder damage, with Matt Morice moving into the starting side?After two weeks as a late withdrawal, Kris Flint hopes to start off the bench for Burleigh

SUNDAY JULY 18 Wynnum Seagulls v Norths Devils, 3pm, Kougari Oval. Wynnum will head to QRL headquarters tomorrow to appeal a one-match ban on Queensland Residents prop Grant Wooden for a high tackle?However the Seagulls have indicated they will not contest a two-match ban on lock John Bruce for both a high tackle and striking, arising from the first minute of last week?s game against Easts?In the wars, the Seagulls also had fullback Simon Phillips cautioned for a high tackle?Phillips has been moved back to the wing this week, with Jim Ahmat reverting to custodian?In several shock selections, former Western Red and one-time Wynnum captain Ricky Taylor is back on the bench for the Seagulls, while reigning Sunstate Player of the Year Denny Lambert has been omitted completely?Norths has held a reasonably stable line-up, dropping only Phil Wuersching and promoting Sione Finefueiaki?Norths spanked Wynnum 48-8 earlier in this season, but less than two wins separate them on the ladder.

Tweed Heads Seagulls v Ipswich Jets, 3pm, Piggabeen Complex. Tweed has been able to keep an unchanged line-up after prop Matt Ross was cleared of a contrary conduct charge from last weekend?Ipswich has just one alteration from its big 36-12 win over North Queensland, bringing back Kyle Warren in place of Ailaoa Chong-Nee?Tim Gee and Terry Iese remain the Jets? centres with both Adam Connelly and Steve Matai unavailable due to injury?Teenagers Cody Fullarton, Matt McPhee and Gideon Mzembe have retained their positions, giving Ipswich a positive outlook for the future?Although Tweed has won twice as many games as Ipswich this year, the Jets triumphed 38-8 in their only other meeting this year?Tweed?s Michael Gordon and Balin Cupples have 16 and 14 tries so far this season respectively?Meanwhile, Adam Connelly leads the Jets with nine?Ipswich has used 37 players this season.

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