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Surprises Continue In Qld Cup
Game Day with Steve Ricketts
TIPPING last weekend in the NRL was bad enough but it was an absolute nightmare in our own Queensland Cup.
Only Souths Logan's 32-8 win over Ipswich was predictable although I must admit the margin shocked me.
Still the Magpies had outstanding young Canberra Raiders star Josh Dugan at fullback and the 19-year-old lived up to the reputation gained from his Jack Gibson Medal win in last year's Under 20 grand final.
The win sees the Magpies join the Central Comets on 20 points on the top of the premiership ladder after the Comets went down 21-8 to Tweed Seagulls at Cudgen.
Further upsets wins by Easts and Wynnum Manly have made the race for places in the final six an 11 club race with only Mackay out of contention.
I would back top four sides Central, Souths Logan, Northern Pride and Burleigh to be there when the whips are cracking but it's a real lottery trying to top the other two spots.
Tweed and Sunshine Coast appear to be coming good at the right time and I'll back those two clubs to get there especially if they can win this weekend.
Sunshine Coast will play in the ABC televised game against Northern Pride at Kawana and the Pride will be looking to hit back after their 42-12 loss to Easts.
Tweed plays Ipswich at Briggs Road in a match the Jets will treat as a grand final given they are four points outside the top six.
The derby clash between Souths Logan and Easts at Meakin Park at 3pm on Saturday shapes as the match of the round and the result will tell us whether Easts are really back after the trauma of the mid-season sacking of coach Darren Smith.
In another traditional Brisbane club clash Norths will host Wynnum Manly at Bishop Park also at 3pm on Saturday and Wynnum will be full of confidence after their 24-6 win over bayside rivals Redcliffe last Sunday.
Saturday night football comes to Pizzey Park, Miami, with the Burleigh Bears playing Mackay with Burleigh looking to maintain pressure on the top three sides with another win following on from last week's triumph over Norths.
In the only Sunday game Central will host Redcliffe at Browne Park with the Comets looking to get things back on track after three straight losses.
Congratulations to those players chosen in the City and Country sides to play at Ipswich Brothers next Saturday in a match that will be televised by the ABC.
Last year the match took place at Clermont and the ABC were not able to get their cameras out there.
Ipswich Brothers is a well run club in the thriving Ipswich competition and in recent years has boasted coaches of the calibre of former Test lock Bob Lindner and barnstorming Jets and Sydney Wests prop Pat O'Doherty who was named in the Kangaroo Tour Train-on squad in 1990.
The prize for players involved in City-Country is a place in the Queensland Residents side to play New South Wales in the main curtain raiser to Origin III at Suncorp Stadium on July 14.
Last year the Paul Green coached Country side beat City 25-18 with Shane McNally the City coach.
The Residents team, coached by Mark Gee, went down 24-16 to NSW.
Last weekend at Terrigal where I was covering the activities of the Queensland State of Origin side I saw parts of the ABC televised Sydney rugby union match between Manly and Eastwood in mud bath conditions.
Manly were coached by former league golden boy, Phil Blake, and included former Bronco Leon Bott on the wing.
It wasn't a day for fancy football and Bott got few opportunities.
The conditions were made all the worse by the fact there is a cricket pitch on Manly Oval where I recall a Great Britain league side having a training run in 2003.
Thank God cricket pitches are no longer part of the league landscape in the NRL and Queensland Cup although footballers are missing something by never getting to leave a field unable to recognise their teammates from their rivals.
My Tips this week; Sunshine Coast, Souths Logan, Tweed, Wynnum Manly, Burleigh and Central.
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Teams For City v Country Game
SELECTORS today announced the teams for the representative clash between City and Country at Ipswich Brothers on July 4.
The players will be vying for selection in the Queensland Residents team to play NSW Residents at Suncorp Stadium next month in the curtain-raiser to Origin 3.
XXXX COUNTRY
1. Tom HEWITT - Central Comets
2. Ben JEFFERY - Tweed Heads Seagulls
3. Karl JOHNSON - Central Comets
4. Rod JENSEN - Northern Pride
5. Kaine MANIHERA - Burleigh Bears
6. Brad DAVIS (C) - Tweed Heads Seagulls
7. Trent HODKINSON - Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles
8. Paul STEPHENSON - Ipswich Jets
9. Scott SMITH - Burleigh Bears
10. Will MATTHEWS - Tweed Heads Seagulls
11. Mark CANTONI - Northern Pride
12. Daniel CONN - Tweed Heads Seagulls
13. Joel RIETHMULLER - Northern Pride
14. Ian LACEY - Ipswich Jets
15. Aaron SUMMERS - Central Comets
16. Alan ROTHERY - Central Comets
17. Tom HUMBLE - Northern Pride
Coach: Andrew Dunemann
XXXX CITY
1. Josh HOFFMAN - Redcliffe Dolphins
2. Simon PHILLIPS - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
3. Brett KELLY - Souths Logan Magpies
4. Liam CAMPBELL - Easts Tigers
5. Michael BROPHY - Souths Logan Magpies
6. Brad CROSS - Souths Logan Magpies
7. Matt SMITH - Souths Logan Magpies
8. Ben VAEAU - Easts Tigers
9. Phil DENNIS - Souths Logan Magpies
10. Daniel JOYCE - Souths Logan Magpies
11. Luke DALZIEL-DON - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
12. Joel THOMPSON - Souths Logan Magpies
13. Matt GILLETT - Norths Devils
14. Craig PRIESTLY - Redcliffe Dolphins
15. Will SCANLAN - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
16. Matt HANDCOCK - Redcliffe Dolphins
17. Shea MOYLAN - Souths Logan Magpies
Coach: Shane McNally
Source: www.qrl.com.au
9 Devils in QLD U16 & U18 Teams
FRESH from its Under 16 victory over NSW, the QRL has announced its State Under 18 team to play the Blues in the curtain-raiser to State of Origin II in Sydney.
The Norths Devils were the only non NRL team or region to supply players to the QLD side.
They join the five Norths Devils players who recently made the QLD Under 16 team, in BJ BURGESS, Jerome LEEDY, Caleb BINGE, Jake KELLY and Shaquille BLAIR.
QUEENSLAND UNDER 18s
1. Lachlan MARANTA - Norths Devils
2. Dane GAGAI - Brisbane Broncos
3. Dale COPLEY - Brisbane Broncos
4. Justin O’NEILL - Melbourne Storm
5. Joshua JEROME - Melbourne Storm
6. Michael MORGAN - NQ Cowboys
7. Jordan RANKIN - Gold Coast Titans
8. Luke PAGE - Gold Coast Titans
9. Kurt BAPTISTE - Brisbane Broncos
10. Jake SEATON - Penrith Panthers
11. Chris McLEAN - NQ Cowboys
12. Korbin SIMS - Norths Devils
13. Pat O’HANLON - Parramatta Eels
14. Gary RICCARDI - Manly Sea Eagles
15. Joshua ROSE - Townsville Stingers
16. Leon TAYLOR - Gold Coast Titans
17. Michael Parker-Walsh - NQ Cowboys
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Cup's Top Six Too Hard To Pick
With Steve Ricketts of The Courier-Mail
RESPECTED rugby league commentator Warren Ryan says the final eight in the NRL has already been decided.
If he was covering the Queensland Cup there is no way he would make such an audacious prediction about our likely top six.
Wynnum Manly coach, Shane McNally, hit the nail on the head last week when he said there are three consistent teams in the competition – Central Comets, Souths Logan and Northern Pride – while the other nine clubs could be hot one week and cold the next.
Incredibly those nine teams still have a chance of making the finals although one would have to say the Mackay Cutters will defy the odds if they get that far.
Mackay have now dropped below Easts to be last on the ladder after a terrible run of outs which also sees the club on the bottom of the for and against columns.
And Mackay, like seven other clubs this weekend, has to wait another week to strive for two premiership points as the split round is completed.
Sixth placed Norths (12 points) have a chance to jump two places if they beat Sunshine Coast (10 points) in this Saturday’s ABC televised match at Kawana while the Coast boys will jump into a share of sixth spot with Norths if they can win.
Redcliffe (13 points) are fifth after their stunning 40-12 win over Burleigh in last week’s ABC game while Burleigh (14 points) are vulnerable to a Norths takeover because of their poor for and against record.
In the only other match this weekend, premiers Souths Logan head to Cudgen to play Tweed Seagulls on Sunday.
Souths Logan (18 points) will jump into first spot ahead of the Comets (20) if they win given the Magpies’ superior for and against record.
Tweed (10 points) will jump Ipswich (10 points) into seventh spot if they can score an upset win.
No FOGS matches were played last weekend because of the annual Divisional Carnival at Runaway Bay which saw the Northern Marlins crowned as champs.
Prominent Townsville league identity, Adrian “Happy’’ Thompson was coach of the Marlins who beat both South East Queensland teams on their way to the title.
Runners up were the Wide Bay Bulls coached by former Manly Warringah assistant coach, Dennis Moore who is originally from Kingaroy where he played with the likes of former Test prop Dave Brown.
FOGS fixtures will be held this weekend although Easts and Wynnum Manly will have a bye.
The passing of Cyril Connell during the week touched everyone in the game and there was a huge turnout for the funeral of the former Test halfback and Broncos recruitment chief in Brisbane on Friday.
Many people are aware of Cyril’s achievements with the Broncos where he helped create a dynasty of success.
But it also should be remembered he was a fine footballer in his own right representing Queensland 24 times in the 1950s while also playing two home Tests against the Kiwis and touring Britain and France with the ‘56-57 Kangaroos.
Australia won both Tests against New Zealand – 12-9 in Sydney before a crowd of 46,766 and 8-2 in Brisbane where a crowd of 28,361 packed into the Gabba.
Cyril, who was contracted to Rockhampton Norths at the time, played five-eighth outside Sydney Wests star Keith Holman in teams which also included the likes of Brian Davies from Brisbane Brothers; Kel O’Shea from Sydney Wests; Alex Watson from Brisbane Wests and Tom Tyquin from Brisbane Souths.
The Kiwis had plenty of teamwork with seven players from the Richmond club in Auckland in their squad as well as West Coast star George Menzies who marked Connell in both Tests.
The Brisbane Test was played in muddy conditions with Australia’s forwards wearing down their opponents.
Connell was controversially dropped for Darcy Henry from Sydney Wests for the Third Test in Sydney (another New South Wales conspiracy) with the Kangaroos winning 31-14 with winger, Don Adams scoring three tries.
But Connell’s efforts were not forgotten and he made the Kangaroo tour at the end of the year.
He played two more times for Queensland in 1957 to bring the curtain down on his representative career.
This week the curtain was brought down on a memorable life journey, one which touched so many people in a positive way.
Game Day is printed every week in Rugby League News – the official Queensland Cup magazine – along with many other great columns and news items. Make sure you purchase your copy at Queensland Cup and FOGS Cup venues. This week’s magazine features a Tweed Heads Seagulls colour poster.
Source: www.qrl.com.au
QLD Cup Round Preview
PRIDE v IPSWICH JETS
Friday, June 5 @ Barlow Park 7pm
A RARE installment of Friday night footy lights up Barlow Park tonight when the Northern Pride hosts the in-form Ipswich Jets. Ipswich could move into the top six for the first time this season if it wins and other results fall its way. The Jets have won five out of their last seven matches to be closing in on the misfiring Norths Devils and Redcliffe Dolphins. But tonight’s clash in front of a parochial Pride crowd will perhaps be Ipswich’s toughest test of the season. The Pride is in hot pursuit of the Queensland Cup’s top two sides and has the luxury of having a fit and firing halves pairing of Chris Sheppard and Tom Humble playing behind a dominant forward pack.
REDCLIFFE v BURLEIGH * live on ABC TV
Saturday, June 6 @ Dolphin Oval 2pm
BURLEIGH is one of few clubs that has enjoyed a good run of success over the powerhouse Dolphins. Burleigh has won 17 of their 30 Queensland Cup matches against the five-time premiers and with a near full-strength side at his disposal following a 30-12 win over Wynnum Manly, Jimmy Lenihan’s Bears are in a strong position to build on that record.Redcliffe’s season has hit a tough patch and the Dolphins could slip out of the top six if they lose to the Bears. Redcliffe has struggled to score points in recent weeks. They managed just a converted try in their 18-6 loss to the Sunshine Coast in a match that followed a 16-all draw against Easts and a 24-6 defeat at the hands of the Ipswich Jets. Burleigh winger Kaine Manihera returns to Dolphin Oval for his first match against his old club at that venue.
EASTS v MACKAY
Saturday, June 6 @ Langlands Park 3pm
JASON Gainey makes his Queensland Cup coaching debut for the Tigers after a tumultuous week at Langlands Park. Gainey takes over from Darren Smith, who finished with 11 wins, 19 losses and two draws from his stint with the Tigers. Gainey has brought Wallace Solomona and Arana Taumata into the top grade side against the struggling Mackay Cutters. The Tigers have reshuffled their backline in the wake of an injury to winger Kev Stephensen. Wade Liddell moves from centre to the wing, with Tom MacGougan the new centre partner for the impressive Liam Campbell. Easts occupy last spot on the Queensland Cup table but with 20 competition points still on offer, the Tigers are quietly confident they can still make a play at the finals.
CENTRAL v WYNNUM MANLY
Saturday, June 6 @ Browne Park 7pm
KEY Central Comets forwards Gerard Parle and Mick Esdale are free to play despite brushes with the judiciary. Parle (dangerous throw) and Esdale (high tackle) accepted early guilty pleas following separate incidents in last weekend’s loss to the Souths Logan Magpies. The pair avoided suspension in a boost for a Comets side that is desperate to hit back after only their second loss of the season. Key Wynnum Manly five-eighth David Georgiou has been named to make his return from injury in a match the Seagulls must win to stay in touch with the top six. Wynnum Manly fans can tune into BAY FM (100.3) and hear a live call from Mike Higgison and Troy Robbins.
Next Week's Split Round:
Saturday, June 13: Sunshine Coast v Norths @ Stockland Park 2pm
Sunday, June 14: Tweed Heads v Souths Logan @ Cudgen 3pm
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Hungry Tigers Hunt Down Devils
AT long last, the Tigers are hunting as a pack.
Aggression, passion and execution have all been lacking from the Tigers’ game this season but those important traits were on display today as the competition cellar dwellers upset Norths 20-10 at Bishop Park.
A hungry Easts team simply outplayed the Devils in the second half on their way to their third win of the season.
The Tigers’ victory came just a week after their encouraging 16-all draw against the Redcliffe Dolphins.
All of a sudden, long suffering Tigers fans can see some light at the end of the tunnel.
Could this be the start of a stunning winning sequence and a miraculous bid for the finals?
While finals footy is probably not in the immediate thoughts of coach Darren Smith, the reality is that the Tigers are just two wins off the sixth-placed Redcliffe Dolphins.
Smith’s charges executed the game plan to perfection in the crucial win over the Devils.
Easts halves Isaac Kaufmann and Dane Phillips kicked deep to the corners throughout the second half and the disjointed Devils had no answers bringing the ball out of their own end.
The Tigers, who produced some punishing hits in the second half, kept the Devils scoreless after the break.
On a chilly afternoon, Norths took a 10-4 lead into half-time.
The Devils opened the scoring in the fifth minute through Josefa Davui in the left corner.
Easts were quick to hit back when Wade Liddell was on the spot to score from a clever grubber kick in behind the line.
Afer a brief shower, the 4-all deadlock was broken when a short side raid from halfback Jason Connors on the last tackle finished with a spectacular try to Gideon Mzembe.
Josefa Davui was able to get a miracle pass away just when the play looked to have broken down and Mzembe showed a clean pair of heels on his way to the try-line.
Easts made a dream start to the second half when replacement forward Mat Cameron combined wonderfully with Ben Vaeau to punch through a gap and score under the posts.
Liddell’s conversion levelled the score at 10-all.
Easts were making all the running at this point, and with big forwards Isaak Ah Mau, Vaeau and Cameron making good metres, the Tigers were winning the key battle in the middle.
But the Tigers were unable to turn the pressure into points.
Playing on the left wing following an injury to Kev Stephensen, the fleet footed Liam Campbell was twice tackled over the sideline after promising attacking raids.
The visitors were finally rewarded for their efforts in the 63rd minute when a clever off-load from Marcus Jensen gave Kaufmann room to move in broken play.
Kaufmann weaved his way to the try line and the Tigers were in front for the first time in the match 14-10.
The Tigers sealed the result in the 72nd minute when Campbell crossed in the corner and Liddell converted for a 20-10 win.
In today’s other game, the Sunshine Coast beat the Redcliffe Dolphins 18-6 at Dolphin Oval.
Dennis Sandow, Trent Hodkinson and Andrew Gray scored tries for the Sea Eagles, who have joined the Ipswich Jets and Tweed Heads Seagulls on 10 competition points.
The Sea Eagles, who also beat Redcliffe in their round one encounter, are the big improvers and could easily be sitting higher on the ladder.
With round 13 played over a two week period, the Sunshine Coast’s next game is against Norths at Stockland Park on June 13.
Source: www.qrl.com.au
QLD Cup Round 12 Preview
NORTHS DEVILS v EASTS TIGERS
When & Where: Sunday, May 31 @ Bishop Park 3pm
Preview: IT only seems like yesterday that the Norths Devils tore through the Tigers on their way to a convincing 40-14 round one victory. But 11 rounds of rugby league have slipped by since then and it is the Devils who have the most to show from the opening half of the season. Kevin Carmichael’s team has won six games to be in fourth spot, while the Tigers are stuck at the foot of the table after two wins and a draw. However, there was no lack of effort from the Tigers last weekend in their 16-all draw against the Redcliffe Dolphins. A similar whole-hearted effort on Sunday could leave the Tigers on the verge of something special. Norths produced a strong second half last weekend to down the Ipswich Jets 27-16. The diminutive Joe Bond caught the eye of many good judges with a few brilliant runs last week. Bond, who possesses great speed off the mark, again looms as the gamebreaker for the Devils.
BURLEIGH v WYNNUM MANLY
Saturday, May 30 @ Pizzey Park * Live on ABC TV
ROBERT Apanui plays his 100th Queensland Cup match for the Bears in Saturday’s clash at Pizzey Park. The versatile Apanui has been a consistent performer for many years for the Bears, who currently hold down fifth spot. Teammate Nick Parfitt chalks up his 50th match for Burleigh in the round 12 clash. Parfitt is on the verge of becoming the leading points scorer and try scorer in the history of the Queensland Cup. However the reliable Bears fullback will be hoping for a more productive outing than last week when he failed to score a point in the Bears’ heavy loss to the Central Comets. The experienced David Seage returns to the top grade for the Seagulls. The former Newcastle Knight has been named at fullback in a Wynnum Manly outfit that is gradually starting to return to full-strength.
SOUTHS LOGAN v CENTRAL COMETS
Saturday, May 30 @ Blackwater 4pm
BLACKWATER hosts one of the biggest games of the season when the Souths Logan Magpies play the Comets in the Central Queensland mining town. Although technically a “home” match for the Magpies, the Comets have won over many of the locals following their blistering start to the season and they’ll thrive on the crowd support. Many of the Rockhampton regulars are also expected to make the two hour trip to Blackwater for the top-of-the-table blockbuster. The fortunes of both these clubs have changed drastically in two years. Back in 2007, the Magpies and Comets also played in a round 12 match. Central had managed just two points (from a bye) to occupy last spot and the Magpies were in second-last with eight points. The Comets have named hometown hero David Taylor in the No. 8 jumper for Saturday’s clash. Taylor will mix it with a Souths Logan side that includes Raiders NRL players Glen Turner and Joe Picker.
PRIDE v TWEED HEADS
Saturday, May 30 @ Barlow Park 7pm
THE Pride meets its bogey team – the Tweed Heads Seagulls – in what looms as one of the most entertaining games of the round. The Pride lost both of their 2008 matches to the Tweed and their run of outs continued at the start of this season when the Seagulls stunned their more fancied opponent with a 30-20 victory at Cudgen. The Tweed has named Titans players Jordan Atkins and Will Matthews in its side for the Barlow Park clash. Matthews returns from the NRL while Atkins is back in the fold after an injury lay-off. Both sides are coming off last-start wins. The Tweed snuck home against the Mackay Cutters 26-20 and the Pride was extremely impressive in its 30-16 victory over the Souths Logan Magpies.
MACKAY v IPSWICH
Saturday, May 30 @ Mackay Juniors 7pm
MACKAY slumped to its sixth-straight loss last weekend but the team’s effort suggests a long-overdue victory is not far away. The Cutters put some promising passages of play together before falling to a 26-20 defeat to the Tweed Heads in a match that could have gone either way. The Cutters have named a new-look backline, with Dean Tass (centre) and Royston Lightning (five-eighth) back in the side. Lightning returns after scoring three tries for Sarina in the local Mackay and District competition. Tass is returning from injury after missing the last six weeks. Ipswich has recalled 2008 grand final fullback Troy O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan tore his hamstring in Ipswich’s first round match against the Cutters in March and has spent the past few weeks proving his fitness in the FOGS Cup. With O’Sullivan back in the side, Luke Walker shifts to the wing at the expense of Dan Randall.
REDCLIFFE v SUNSHINE COAST
Sunday, May 31 @ Dolphin Oval 3pm
REDCLIFFE coach Gary O’Brien has brought Broncos whiz kid Josh Hoffman into the starting side for the clash with the Sea Eagles. Hoffman made his return from injury through the FOGS Cup last weekend and O’Brien liked what he saw. Hoffman slots in at fullback, with Liam Georgetown moving to the wing in a reshuffled backline. Hoffman’s inclusion should add spark to a side that had to fight tooth and nail for a 16-all draw against bottom-placed Easts last week. Redcliffe will have to be at its best against a dangerous Sunshine Coast team that is starting to hit form. With big props Vic Mauro and Phil Morwood leading the charge, the Sea Eagles were able to come from behind to secure a valuable 22-18 win over Wynnum last week.
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Speedsters Light Up Bishop Park
IT was a memorable day for the wingers – and definitely not the goal kickers – at Bishop Park today.
With a good breeze at their backs in the second half, the Norths Devils flew home to shoot down the Ipswich Jets 27-16 in their round 11 Queensland Cup clash.
Devils winger Georg Kepa scored two great tries in the second half, while fellow flanker Gideon Mzembe also got in on the act with a fine touch down after a slick movement caught the Jets short.
Not to be outdone, giant Ipswich winger Ramon Filipine crossed for two of Ipswich’s four tries.
But the Jets failed to land a single conversion from the four difficult attempts in blustery conditions, allowing the Devils to stay in touch at half-time.
The Devils also missed their first four conversions of the match, despite a couple of much easier attempts than the Jets.
But in the final wash up the Devils didn’t need any help with the boot.
They scored six tries to four to sneak into fourth spot on percentages from the Burleigh Bears.
It could prove to be a vital win for the Devils, who should be able to build further momentum next week when they play bottom-placed Easts at Bishop Park.
The Jets went into the game without gun halfback Ian Lacey (flu) but they made a great start when Filipine scored in the corner in the sixth minute.
Filipine brought up a double four minutes later when he received a great long pass from Jeremy Golf and outsprinted the cover defence to score in the left corner.
The Devils hit back through Brendon Gibb in the 16th minute when he barged over from close range.
Gibb grabbed his second minutes later when he burrowed across from dummy half.
The try came after a blistering backline movement which featured a sizzling run from Mzembe.
Ipswich regained the ascendancy when skipper Danny Coburn turned a neat ball back on the inside for a flying Luke Walker.
The Jets punished a late mistake from the Devils to again score in the left corner, this time through Brendan Marshall.
The try put the Jets in front 16-8 at half-time.
Norths made all the running early in the second half and they were rewarded through a try to Georg Kepa.
Mzembe repeated the dose on the other side of the field soon after to level the score at 16-16 in the 47th minute.
Norths hit the front for the first time in the match in the 62nd minute when Kepa busted out of a tackle and scored a fine individual try that brought vocal Norths fans to their feet.
The Ryan Hansen goal – the first and only successful conversion of the match – put the Devils in front 22-16.
Ipswich launched several attacking raids in the final 10 minutes but the Devils were rock solid.
Five-eighth Matt Gillett put the result beyond doubt in the 76th minute when he kicked a 35m field goal.
The Devils rubbed further salt into Ipswich’s wounds when electrifying replacement Joe Bond sliced through a gap and sent Jay Aston on his way to the try-line in the dying seconds.
Source: www.qrl.com.au
QLD Cup Round 11 Preview
NORTHS v IPSWICH
Where & When: Sunday, May 24 @ Bishop Park 3pm
Preview: THE stakes are high at Bishop Park when the Norths Devils host the in-form Ipswich Jets. The Jets have won four out of their last five matches to suddenly emerge as a semi-final contender. Norths hold down sixth spot, but the Devils will need to find a touch more consistency if they are to stay in the top half of the table. Norths forward Troy Hansen plays his 50th Queensland Cup match. But perhaps the forward with the most to play for in this match is Broncos contracted star Josh McGuire. Straight-shooting Norths coach Kevin Carmichael was critical of McGuire’s performance in the Devils’ 38-10 loss to Tweed Heads last week. Carmichael’s stinging words are likely to bring the best out of McGuire and that could spell danger for the Jets.
REDCLIFFE v EASTS
Saturday, May 23 @ Dolphin Oval 2pm * Live on ABC TV
LIVERWIRE Easts fullback Ryan Cullen lines up against his former club for the first time. While Cullen’s form has been strong, the Tigers have struggled and it would take a minor miracle for the Langlands Park club to turn their season around and qualify for the finals. Cullen’s brace of tries against Wynnum saw him leapfrog Aseri Laing (85), Brett McPherson (86) and Greg Bourke (86) into fifth on the Queensland Cup’s all-time leading try-scorer’s list with 87. Cullen is now one try behind former Redcliffe star Shane Perry. Fifth-placed Redcliffe enters Saturday’s match as warm favourites, despite a 24-6 loss to the improving Ipswich Jets. But Dolphins coach Gary O’Brien took a number of positives out of the loss. The encouraging debut of young forward Ryan Best and the team’s effort in defence impressed O’Brien.
BURLEIGH v CENTRAL COMETS
Saturday, May 23 @ Pizzey Park 6pm
THIS match is likely to be played on a wet track after torrential rain in the Gold Coast area. The conditions could stifle the Comets’ free-flowing attack. The Comets have the second best attacking record in the competition, having piled on 310 points from their opening 10 games. The Comets will carry an amazing eight-match winning streak into the round 11 clash at Pizzey Park. However, wins against the Bears have been scarce for the Comets in recent years. In a remarkable period of domination, the Bears have won 23 out of the 24 Queensland Cup matches between the sides. The Comets’ only win was in round two of the 2006 season when they beat the Bears 36-22. Dallas Williams, the most experienced current Comet, scored two tries that day.
MACKAY v TWEED HEADS
Saturday, May 23 @ Mackay Juniors 7pm
MACKAY’S season could hinge on the outcome of this match. The Cutters dropped to 10th spot on the Queensland Cup ladder last week after a 44-10 loss to the Souths Logan Magpies. Mackay has now lost its last five matches, but the good news for Cutters fans is that the team is just one win outside of sixth spot. Daniel Flynn, the club’s first-choice fullback last year, makes a long awaited return to the Queensland Cup. Flynn takes over at the back from Chance Bunce, who has been named on the interchange bench. Cutters coach Shane Muspratt is demanding an improved second half performance from his charges. The Cutters failed to score a point after the half-time break against the Magpies last week and conceded 28 points.
SOUTHS LOGAN v PRIDE
Sunday, May 24 @ Davies Park 2pm
THE Magpies return to their spiritual home for a fascinating showdown with the Pride. The Pride has happy memories from its only trip to Davies Park, a 40-16 victory over the Magpies in last year’s qualifying final. But this Souths Logan team is unlikely to concede that many points again. The Magpies (189) have the best defensive record in this year’s competition. The Pride has also muscled up in 2009, with Andrew Dunemann’s men conceding just five more points than the defending premiers. The Pride enters Sunday’s clash on the back of a round 10 loss to the Central Comets. But the Pride was hardly disgraced, going down by two points in a nail-biter. Five-eighth Tom Humble and second-rowers Mark Cantoni and Jamie Frizzo were standouts against the Comets. Frizzo made a big impact in his first match in the second row.
WYNNUM MANLY v SUNSHINE COAST
Sunday, May 24 @ BMD Kougari Oval 3pm
A BUMPER crowd is expected to be in attendance when the Wynnum Manly Seagulls chase their fourth-straight win. The Seagulls are staging a huge Family Fun Day with a range of activities planned throughout the afternoon. But all eyes will be on the 3pm Queensland Cup encounter. Wynnum Manly will come up against a desperate Sea Eagles outfit still smarting from its last-minute loss to the Burleigh Bears. The Sea Eagles have lost their last two matches by two points and now have only the Easts Tigers behind them on the competition ladder. The Sunshine Coast displayed plenty of grit and skill to fight its way back from a 20-0 deficit last weekend. Impressive Wynnum Manly teenager Luke Brechin backs up for his second match in the top grade after a two-try haul on debut last Saturday.
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Terrific Tweed Punishes Devils
BRAD Davis is back ... and so are the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
The premiership-winning five-eighth returned from injury today as the Seagulls breathed some much needed life into their 2009 campaign with a 38-10 victory over the Norths Devils at Cudgen.
Davis guided his young side around the park in a polished performance that couldn’t have come at a better time for the Seagulls.
Tweed entered the match with just three wins from their opening nine games, but such is the tight nature of this year’s Queensland Cup, today’s crucial victory has the Seagulls within two points of sixth spot.
Tweed piled on 26 unanswered points in the second half to topple the Devils.
Cameron White (2), Ben Jeffery, David Mead, James Wood, Tim Maccan (pictured) and Cody Nelson went on the try-scoring sheet for the Seagulls, who led 12-10 at half-time.
Norths coach Kevin Carmichael said his team paid a high price for a string of basic errors in the second half.
The Devils’ normally slick attack was also virtually non-existent.
“We were pretty ordinary with the ball to be honest,” Carmichael conceded.
“Our fifth tackle options were pretty ordinary too.”
Carmichael said most of the damage was done in a 15 minute period in the second half when the Devils had “hardly any footy”.
However, the Devils coach conceded the Seagulls were too good on the day.
Carmichael said Davis’ surprise return made a “big difference” to the Tweed.
“His kicking game was very solid and he controlled the game well,” Carmichael said.
“He got a good 40/20 there at one stage that put us under pressure.”
Norths will get a chance to atone for the loss when they host the Ipswich Jets at Bishop Park next Sunday.
The Tweed travels to Mackay to take on the Cutters.
Meanwhile, Mackay slumped to its fifth-straight loss on Saturday night in Mackay.
The Cutters were unable to keep pace with the rampant Souths Logan Magpies, who ran away with the game in the second half on their way to a 44-10 victory.
Souths Logan carried a 16-10 lead into the half-time break.
Brett Kelly, Joel Thompson and Phil Dennis all bagged doubles for the Magpies in the impressive victory.
Michael Brophy and Josh White also crossed, while Josh McCrone landed six conversions.
With their Canberra Raiders contingent back on deck after a week off, the Magpies simply had too much firepower for the Cutters.
The Magpies return home next Sunday to play the Northern Pride in what looms as an enthralling round 11 match.
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Tales From The Bishop Park Hill
With Steve Ricketts of the The Courier-Mail
MANY tall tales and true were told on the hill at Bishop Park last Saturday after the Brisbane Rugby League Centenary match between Norths and Souths-Logan.
And in between the yarn telling plenty of attention was paid to a quality game of football televised live by the ABC and which ultimately resulted in Souths Logan’s demise as Queensland Cup competition leaders.
But Norths had to withstand a mighty comeback from the Magpies who trailed 26-0 at one stage before going down 26-20.
The day began with tired Test stars Greg Inglis, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Justin Hodges and Israel Folau signing autographs for hundreds of juniors who were there before noon to see their heroes who had helped Australia to a 38-10 win over the Kiwis the night before.
Then a lunch was held at the Leagues Club where the Australian quintet joined other invited guests for a tribute to club football in Brisbane which kicked off on May 8, 1909 with a double header at the Gabba.
Multi-media personality Rupert McCall was MC and did a great job as did former top grade referee, now respected journalist, Bernie Pramberg who interviewed Cameron Smith (a former Norths player), Fonda Metassa, Harold (Mick) Crocker and Greg Veivers.
Metassa, known as ‘’The Golden Greek’’ for his flamboyant ways, on and off the field, for Norths and South Sydney in the 1960s, has not been in good health and it was a great effort just to make the function never mind entertain the guests with some great stories.
Crocker was Australia’s Test lock in the 1950s and except for a two year stint with Parramatta towards the end of his career, played all his football for Souths.
Beaudesert boy Veivers captained Australia in a 1977 World Cup match in Auckland and played for Souths right through his senior career.
As the interviews took place highlights of games dating back as far as the late 1950s were played on the big screen and there were some marvellous moments.
I’m sure the young Test players would have been enthralled by the muddy scenes from a Test match in England with former Brisbane Wests halfback Barry Muir prominent.
They were positively glued to the screen when they saw Allan “Alfie’ Langer playing for the Ipswich Jets in 1987 with his leg first tackling style the subject of much mirth.
Alfie, who was on the coaching staff of the Australian side, was also captured engaging in a fierce one-on-one fight with Wynnum-Manly rival Peter Dawes in a match at Lang Park.
The Kiwi support staff included Chris “Compass” Kallis who earned his nickname courtesy of the fact he played for Norths, Souths, Easts and Wests in Brisbane.
Kallis played for Norths in 1979 when Kiwi Graham Lowe was coach and when Lowe was appointed NZ Test coach in 1983 he made sure “Compass’’ was one of his trainers whenever the Kiwis came to Australia, a connection that remains to this day.
"Compass’’ didn’t make it to Bishop Park last Saturday but on the hill I caught up with the likes of Ron Raper, Allan Nunan, Ziggy Strasser, Mark Murray, Rob ”Bertie’’ Campbell, Sam Smith, Brian Pease, Ron Atkins, Bruce Crosby, Neil Wharton, Henry Hegarty and Gavin Payne.
Bernie Pramberg was seen in deep discussion with former referees, Ian Smith and Harry Dearness and the ABC’s David Wright found his way to the can bar in time for one or two Golds after his commentary duties.
This Saturday the ABC cameras will be at Kawana on the Sunshine Coast for the match between the local Sea Eagles and the Burleigh Bears with both sides coming off losses.
The Bears are in sixth spot on 10 points with the Sea Eagles second last on six points, giving an indication of how wide open things are for a place in the top six at the end of the season.
Easts and Wynnum-Manly meet in what shapes as an intense derby clash at Langlands Park on Saturday afternoon with last placed Easts (four points) coming off a shock 18-4 win over Burleigh.
There have been all sorts of reports of unrest at Easts with experienced players Matt Lockyer and Charlie Tonga retiring and naturally Darren Smith’s coaching has come under the spotlight as well.
Source: www.qrl.com.au
QLD Cup Round Ten Preview
TWEED HEADS v NORTHS DEVILS
Where & When: Sunday, May 17 @ Cudgen Oval 3pm
Preview: TWEED supporters will be hoping for a change of luck when the Seagulls host the Norths Devils in the only Sunday match of the round. Tweed conceded four tries from kicks in their 42-32 loss to Redcliffe at Dolphin Oval last weekend. The Seagulls have not won since round six when they beat the Sunshine Coast 28-12. Having now slipped four points adrift of sixth-placed Burleigh, a win over the Devils is crucial to the finals ambitions of Steve Anderson’s side. Norths are well placed on the Queensland Cup ladder after their 26-20 victory over Souths Logan last weekend. Former Panthers Colts playmaker Asher Elemani scored two tries for the Devils to take out the club’s player of the match award. His strong form is great news for the Devils given that star half Ben Hunt is now playing with the Broncos in the Toyota Cup.
SUNSHINE COAST v BURLEIGH
Saturday, May 16 @ Stockland Park 2pm * Live on ABC TV
SUNSHINE Coast skipper Cameron Joyce is on track to make a surprise return from a broken hand in the Sea Eagles’ clash with Burleigh. Joyce has not been named, but the Sea Eagles camp is confident their inspiration captain will get the all clear to tackle the Bears in the ABC TV game. It’s a crunch match for both sides after forgettable results in round nine. The Sunshine Coast let a huge lead slip against the Comets, who finished with a late flurry of tries to down the Sea Eagles 34-32. An ordinary Burleigh outfit could only manage one try in their shock 18-4 loss to bottom-placed Easts. The Bears are still well placed for a shot at finals football but their form over the last two weeks remains a major concern for coach Jimmy Lenihan. Burleigh enters Saturday’s match without try-scoring whiz Adam Fielder. Fielder, who is recovering from an ankle injury, is expected to be back on the park next week.
EASTS v WYNNUM MANLY
Saturday, May 16 @ Langlands Park 3pm *Live on Bay-FM 100.3
WYNNUM Manly forward Lachlan Morgan makes his 50th Queensland Cup appearance in a match that suddenly has a whole new feel to it. Last-start wins have reinvigorated the Tigers’ and Seagulls’ campaigns. However, both sides still have considerable ground to make up on the competition leaders. Easts have the most work to do, having won only two of their opening nine games. But the Tigers gave their long-suffering fans a glimmer of hope last weekend when they produced a gritty 80 minute performance to beat Burleigh. Wynnum Manly was also tenacious last week, outplaying an in-form Ipswich side 24-8 to secure back-to-back wins. A third win in as many weeks would place the Seagulls right back in the mix. In the head to head stakes between the two traditional rivals, Easts hold the edge with 14 wins to Wynnum’s 10. One match has been drawn.
IPSWICH v REDCLIFFE
Saturday, May 16 @ North Ipswich Reserve 6.30pm
THE Jets venture back to the traditional home of rugby league in Ipswich when they take on the Redcliffe Dolphins at the North Ipswich Reserve. The match will be played before the Legends of League game and a big crowd is expected to be on hand to watch the round nine clash. It’s a must-win game for the Jets, who are two wins outside the top six after their loss to Wynnum last week. Sam Tagataese has again been named on the Ipswich bench. The former Melbourne Storm utility was rusty last weekend in his first game back from injury and Jets coach Glenn Lazarus will be looking for the star Titan to make a greater impact. Ipswich has enjoyed a great run of success against the Dolphins in recent seasons. However, Redcliffe still holds a considerable advantage in the head to head battle, having won 20 of the 27 previous matches.
MACKAY v SOUTHS LOGAN
Saturday, May 16 @ Mackay Juniors 7pm
SOUTHS Logan’s Canberra contingent returns to the Magpies’ line-up for Saturday’s clash in Mackay. The Magpies caught many Queensland Cup fans off guard last weekend when they took the field against Norths without their regulars from the Raiders who were given the week off by Canberra head coach Don Furner. Having surrendered top spot following the loss to Norths, the refreshed Magpies should come out firing against the Cutters. Mackay’s campaign has hit a bumpy spot, with last week’s loss to the Northern Pride their fourth in succession. The Cutters have never lost five Queensland Cup games in a row, but that unwanted record will be theirs unless they improve drastically on Saturday night. Coach Shane Muspratt concedes his team has been guilty of playing “dumb” football. Mackay hooker Roy Baira faces the judiciary tonight after being placed on report for a high tackle last week.
CENTRAL COMETS v PRIDE
Saturday, May 16 @ Browne Park 7pm
A HUGE crowd is tipped to watch one of the biggest matches of the Queensland Cup season to date when two of the competition’s in-form teams collide at Rockhampton’s Browne Park. The Comets enter the match in top spot, while the Pride is nicely placed in third after a string of strong victories. Tom Humble returns to the starting five-eighth role for the Pride in the absence of the injured Luke Millwood. Exciting speedster Gordon Rattler is the new man on the interchange bench. Rattler impressed coach Andrew Dunemann while playing for Mareeba in the Cairns and District competition last weekend. Star Comet Nat Bowman plays his 50th match for the club. Bowman, the competition’s leading points scorer, has also played 15 matches for the North Queensland Young Guns.
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Norths Sizzle In Centenary Classic
THE Norths Devils have withstood a determined fightback from an understrength Souths Logan to record a crucial 26-20 victory on a monumental day for rugby league in Queensland.
With a big crowd on hand to celebrate 100 years of club football, the Devils put on a show in the opening 40 minutes of the round nine Queensland Cup clash at Bishop Park.
Norths raced in four tries to lead 20-0 at half-time.
The Magpies conceded the opening try of the second half, but in an amazing turnaround, the 2008 premiers hit back with a stunning burst of four tries in 10 minutes to be within striking distance of an extraordinary victory.
However, Souths Logan couldn’t get any closer in a tense final 15 minute period as the Devils knuckled down to the task.
The Devils’ victory – their fifth of what is turning out to be promising campaign – has the Nundah club firmly entrenched in the top six with the halfway mark of the season fast approaching.
Norths built their latest victory on the back of a sparkling first half performance.
The Devils were the first to score in Saturday’s clash when Gideon Mzembe received a great cut out pass from Matt Gillett and sizzled down the left touch line to ground the ball in the 4th minute.
The 4-0 lead soon became 10-0 when Ryan Hansen found himself on the end of a superb pass from centre Ben Hurrell to score untouched next to the posts.
Hurrell leapt high into the air to take a bomb and instinctively kept the ball alive with a great pass to Hansen.
With the Devils forwards making easy metres, hooker Jay Aston chose the perfect time to run.
Aston sliced through the heart of the Souths Logan line and linked with Asher Elemani, who sprinted away to the try-line for a 16-0 lead.
It became 20-0 on the stroke of half-time when Josh McGuire broke out of a Phil Dennis tackle and crashed over to score.
Faced with a huge deficit and without their star-studded Canberra Raiders contingent, the Magpies could easily have thrown in the towel upon the resumption of play.
But the Magpies dominated a large chunk of the second half, despite conceding an early try.
It was two proven performers who got the Magpies back in the contest.
Josh White ran a great line and received a well executed pass from Dennis to add some much needed spark to the contest.
Further rapid-fire tries from James Stuart, Liam McDonald and Shea Moylan narrowed the margin to six points.
But the Magpies came up short and they have now lost their spot at the top of the Queensland Cup table.
Central is the outright leader after round nine following its thrilling 34-32 win over the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles.
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Test Stars at Bishop Park
Australian representatives and former Norths Devils stars Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Israel Folau and Greg Inglis, along with Justin Hodges will be at Bishop Park on Saturday to meet supporters and sign autographs.
The star contingent will be at Bishop Park from 11.30am to 2pm.
Smith, Slater, Folau and Inglis are returning to their roots on a landmark afternoon for rugby league in Queensland, as the game celebrates 100 years of Club Football in the state.
The former Norths players will cast an eager eye over the current crop of Devils who play the Souths Logan Magpies in the 2pm Queensland Cup clash.
The match will be televised live on ABC on Saturday, 100 years and one day since the first round of Brisbane club football was played at the Gabba in 1909.
There will be a host of former stars in attendance with Mal Meninga, Fonda Metassa, Mick Crocker, Greg Veivers, Mark Murray and Greg Conescu to name just a few.
100 Years of Club Football Celebration - Norths Devils v Souths Logan Magpies
Date: Saturday, May 9 - 2009
Venue: Bishop Park, Nundah
Time: Gates open 10:30am
10:45am: Under 9 Junior matches commence
11:45am: Second Division Premier League - Fortitude Valley v Wynnum Manly Juniors
*Autograph session: Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges & Israel Folau
1:40pm: Under 9 Junior March Past
1:45pm: Pre-Game Presentation
* BRL Presentation & Ceremonial Kick Off
2:00pm: NORTHS DEVILS V SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Devils Aim Up For Historic Clash
MOTIVATION, desperation, hunger … the Norths Devils should have all those traits in bucket loads when they play the Souths Logan Magpies on Saturday.
The ABC TV match-of-the round is almost 100 years to the day since the first round of Brisbane club football was played at the Gabba in 1909.
To celebrate the grand occasion, a function will be held at Norths Leagues Club and many of the great players from the glory days of Brisbane club rugby league will then take in the round nine action at Bishop Park.
“I’m hoping that we do get a good crowd and have some old players there … that might stir the boys along a bit,” said Norths coach Kevin Carmichael.
The Devils and Magpies will don heritage jerseys for the match.
As a passionate Norths clubman, Carmichael’s pre-match address will touch on the club’s proud history and the tremendous feats of so many former Devils throughout the golden period of rugby league in Brisbane.
However, Carmichael said his team’s main motivation was to produce a strong performance at home.
“We always look to put in a big effort in our home matches,” the veteran of 107 Queensland Cup games for Norths said.
“We’ve lost our last two games at home so it’s important we turn that around.”
The Devils will also be fired up to maintain their unbeaten record in front of the ABC TV cameras.
Carmichael’s charges have beaten Easts, Sunshine Coast and Wynnum Manly in their three appearances on the ABC this year.
But Saturday’s match is without doubt their biggest test of the season.
The Magpies have won their last seven matches and are expected to field a near full-strength team for the round nine blockbuster.
“They’re going to be tough,” Carmichael said.
“I don’t know who they’re getting back from Canberra this week. Probably the key for us is our completion rate.
“We’ve probably been below 70 per cent the last few weeks. Even though we beat Mackay (in round seven), we need to have a bit more possession.”
Carmichael said the Magpies and Northern Pride were two of the form teams of the competition.
The Pride beat the Devils 34-18 last weekend.
Carmichael was thrilled with his team’s efforts, despite falling short on the scoreboard.
“As far as the game went, I thought that was the best quality game we’ve been involved in,” he said.
“The Pride didn’t give us an inch. It was just those couple of mistakes that cost us.”
Like the Devils, the high-flying Magpies will be desperate to perform in front of a big audience on Saturday.
Many of the great Magpies, including former Queensland and Australian Test centre Mal Meninga, will attend the Bishop Park celebration match.
Meninga will have the honour of performing the kick off and launching club rugby league into its next 100 years.
Several of the NRL’s modern day stars and former Queensland Cup players, including Cam Smith, Greg Inglis and Billy Slater, will be on hand to sign autographs for children between 11.30am and 2pm.
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Round 9 Queensland Cup Preview
NORTHS DEVILS v SOUTHS LOGAN
Date & Time: Saturday, May 9 @ Bishop Park 2pm * Live on ABC TV
Preview: THIS historic match between two of Brisbane’s great clubs celebrates a major milestone in rugby league. The ABC TV match-of-the round will be staged almost 100 years to the day since the first round of Brisbane club football was played at the Gabba. Fittingly, a host of former greats will attend a special pre-match function before the modern warriors go into battle. Spectators can rub shoulders with some of rugby league’s biggest names. Magpies great Mal Meninga will perform the kick off, while XXXX Maroons and Australian stars Cam Smith, Greg Inglis, Israel Folau, Billy Slater and Justin Hodges will be at Bishop Park to meet fans between 11.30am and 2pm. Norths and Souths Logan are wearing heritage jerseys for the match, which should be fiercely contested from the opening whistle.
PRIDE v MACKAY CUTTERS
Saturday, May 9 @ Barlow Park 7pm
MACKAY enters the Barlow Park clash on the back of a worrying three-match losing streak. In contrast, the Pride is in red hot form and has won its last three games to be in equal third. The Pride has named an unchanged team following its 34-18 win over the Norths Devils last weekend. The Mackay line-up isn’t quite so settled, with Grant Moore and Michael Comerford getting their first taste of Queensland Cup action this year. Royston Lightning makes a timely return from injury for the round nine clash. The former Raider has been one of the Cutters’ shining lights this season and Cutters CEO Jamie McDonald believes the evergreen centre deserves a spot in the Country side for annual clash against City on July 4.
SUNSHINE COAST v CENTRAL COMETS
Saturday, May 9 @ Salter Oval 4pm
BUNDABERG rugby league fans are in for a treat on Saturday, with the round nine clash between the Sunshine Coast and Central Comets one of three great games to be played at Salter Oval. Spectators will get great value for money with the annual 47th Battalion clash between Sunshine Coast/Gympie and Bundaberg to follow the Queensland Cup game. Bundaberg fans will also have the privilege of seeing one of the form teams in the competition in action. The Comets are the Queensland Cup’s joint leaders and have won their last six matches. Fans will also get a close up view of Broncos powerhouse David Taylor, who has been named to play his third game this year for the Comets. In a great boost for the region, the Sunshine Coast is staging a coaching clinic and an open training session in Bundaberg on match eve.
BURLEIGH BEARS v EASTS TIGERS
Sunday, May 10 @ Pizzey Park 3pm
CHRIS Enahoro, a try-scorer in Burleigh’s 34-26 loss to Ipswich last weekend, lines up for his 50th Queensland Cup match. Enahoro joined the Bears from Tweed Heads this year and is just starting to hit top gear after an injury-plagued start to the 2009 season. Burleigh was out-enthused by Ipswich last weekend and coach Jimmy Lenihan will be looking for a much improved effort against the Tigers. Easts can’t seem to take a trick this season and time is fast running out for Darren Smith’s charges. The Tigers went down by two points to the Sunshine Coast last week and now have all 11 rival teams in front of them on the competition table. Despite their troubles, the Tigers have two players – Liam Campbell (9) and Kev Stephensen (7) – who feature in the Queensland Cup’s top three try scorers.
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS v TWEED HEADS
Sunday, May 10 @ Dolphin Oval 3pm
TWEED Heads flyer Brenton Bowen needs just one more try to move into the Queensland Cup’s list of top 10 try-scorers. Bowen has scored 76 tries, one less than David Seage who holds down 10th spot. Bowen displayed plenty of speed to score a runaway try against Wynnum Manly last weekend and he’ll almost certainly equal or overtake Seage this month. Redcliffe will be hoping to delay Bowen’s entry into the top 10 for at least another week when the sides face off at Dolphin Oval. It’s a huge match for the two teams who are coming off last start losses. Both teams will be keen to get off to a better start. Redcliffe trailed Souths Logan 26-6 at half-time last week, while Tweed Heads were behind 28-6 at the break in their match against Wynnum. Redcliffe holds the honours in the head to head stakes, having won 11 of the 14 previous Queensland Cup matches against the Seagulls.
WYNNUM MANLY v IPSWICH JETS
Sunday, May 10 @ BMD Kougari Oval 3pm
TITANS player Sam Tagatese is poised to make a surprise comeback in Ipswich Jets colours on Sunday. Tagatese, one of the Titans’ major off-season signings, has not played a game since he limped from the field with a groin injury in Ipswich’s round three loss against Souths Logan. The former Melbourne Storm forward has not been named in the Ipswich line-up, but it’s understood he’ll play centre or back-row for the Jets in the BMD Kougari Oval clash. Ipswich is shooting for its fourth-straight victory, while the Seagulls hope to make it back-to-back wins for the first time in 2009 after downing Tweed Heads last weekend.
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Devils Downed by Pride
THE Northern Pride has leapt into equal third on the Queensland Cup table following today’s 34-18 victory over the Norths Devils at Bishop Park.
The Pride has now won their last three matches and will start warm favourites to extend the winning streak when they host an out-of-sorts Mackay at Barlow Park next weekend.
Tough hooker Jason Roos led the Pride’s charge in the round eight win over the Devils.
Roos crossed for two great tries in the second half to put an end to the home team’s comeback plans.
The Pride carried a 10-0 lead into half-time but that advantage was soon cut back to four points upon the resumption of play when rampaging forward James Api-Ulugia charged over to score.
Roos then crossed for the first of his two tries to extend the lead to 16-6.
But the Devils weren’t done with, and when Jay Aston backed up down the middle of the park and beat the cover defence to score a terrific team try, the Devils had again drawn within four points.
But the Pride, assisted by a string of penalties, made the most of the running from that point on.
Brandon Boor’s brilliant diving catch to score from a clever cross kick virtually sealed the result for the Pride in the 66th minute.
Roos burrowed over for his second in the following set of six but the play of the game came in the dying minutes when Ty Williams chased down a perfectly weighted Chris Sheppard chip kick and found Nick Slyney in support.
Slyney put the ball down under the posts and Chey Bird added his fifth conversion of the game for a 34-12 lead.
Norths fullback Kieran Turner scored a consolation try in the final minute of play.
Meanwhile, the Souths Logan Magpies held off a spirited second-half fightback from Redcliffe to beat the Dolphins 30-24 at Dolphin Oval today.
The Magpies shot out to a 26-6 lead at half-time.
But the Magpies were restricted to just the one try in the second half as the Dolphins rallied.
Redcliffe’s tries were scored by Alwyn Simpson, Andrew Rickertt, Tim Yee, Troy Giess and Danny Burke.
Liam Georgetown kicked two goals.
Powerful centre Brett Kelly notched a double for the Magpies, while David Milne, James Stuart, Michael Brophy and Phil Dennis also crossed the line in Souths Logan’s seventh win of the season.
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Devils Meet Bulldogs In Semi-Final
NORTHS Devils’ depth will be put to the ultimate test this weekend when the Queensland Under 18 champions play the Bulldogs in an ARL Semi-Final.
The Devils are poised to be without gun prop Jesse Rogers, who scored two tries in his team’s 26-20 quarter-final over the Parramatta Eels.
Rogers is battling an injury concern and is likely to join the likes of front-line stars Mitchell Frei and Korbin Sims on the sidelines.
Norths have a number of other injury concerns in a major worry for coach Gary Bishop.
But the Devils have shown plenty of fighting spirit so far this season and those qualities will stand them in good stead against the Bulldogs.
Norths came from 14-4 down at half-time to bundle the Eels out of the title race last weekend.
Saturday's match kicks off at Sydney’s St Mary’s Leagues Stadium at 1.30pm.
The winning side progresses through to the final against either Manly or Melbourne.
Photo: SMP Images - By Warren Keir www.smpimages.com
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Round 8 Queensland Cup Preview
ROUND eight of the Queensland Cup kicks off on Saturday at Cudgen with Tweed Heads hosting Wynnum Manly.
NORTHS DEVILS v NORTHERN PRIDE
Sunday, May 3 @ Bishop Park 2pm
THE Pride racked up 40 or more points in their two wins over Norths last year. But the Norths outfit of 2009 is far superior to last year’s and the Pride can expect a tough encounter when they arrive at Bishop Park on Sunday. Norths showed plenty of fight in last weekend’s morale-boosting 28-12 win over the Cutters in Mackay. But Kevin Carmichael’s men collide with a Pride team that has really hit its straps in recent weeks. The Pride’s 32-6 win over Redcliffe spells danger for opposition sides. Pride players Ty Williams, Joel Riethmuller and Luke Millwood were super impressive against the Dolphins. Millwood’s recent good form is particularly encouraging for the Cairns club, which has at times relied too heavily on halfback Chris Sheppard.
TWEED HEADS v WYNNUM MANLY
Saturday, May 2 @ Cudgen Oval 2pm * Live on ABC TV
WYNNUM Manly’s three debutants from last weekend have retained their spots in the Queensland Cup side for the ‘battle of the Seagulls’. David Bowden, Vincent Silulu and Shaun Cotter have been named in Shane McNally’s side for the crucial round eight clash at Cudgen. The inexperienced Wynnum Manly side put in a spirited performance last weekend against the star-studded Magpies. However the rub of the green deserted them at times and the boys from Kougari will be hoping for a change of fortune when they venture across the border. Another loss would virtually kill of Wynnum Manly’s hopes of playing finals football. Tweed is again without injured five-eighth Brad Davis but they do have two of the form forwards in the competition. Selasi Berdie and Adam Mansy were outstanding for the Seagulls last week in their 40-26 loss to Burleigh.
EASTS TIGERS v SUNSHINE COAST
Saturday, May 2 @ Langlands Park 3pm
EASTS hooker Trent Young plays his 100th Queensland Cup game. But Young, who played with Souths Logan before joining the Tigers, won’t be going head to head with Cameron Joyce. The Sea Eagles captain and first-choice hooker has been ruled out with a broken hand in a major blow for the competition newcomers. Joyce has been replaced by Paul Cohen. In a further setback, the Sea Eagles no longer have the services of French World Cup hooker Julien Rinaldi, who has been released to play with Bradford in the English Super League. Saturday’s clash is perhaps the last throw of the dice for both the Sea Eagles and Tigers. Despite being touted as premiership favourites at the start of the season, Easts have only one win to show from the opening seven games. The Sunshine Coast has fared slightly better with two wins.
IPSWICH v BURLEIGH
Saturday, May 2 @ Briggs Road 3pm
KEY Ipswich forwards Danny Coburn and Lorenzo Maafu are free to play after brushes with the match tribunal. Their availability is a massive boost for the Jets now that Trevor Exton and Warren Schillings won’t be taking the field against the Bears’ formidable pack. Exton has been released to play in England after finally receiving a visa, while Schillings (knee) could be sidelined for a month in the wake of Ipswich’s 34-14 win over the Sunshine Coast. Saturday’s match marks Aaron Sweeney’s long-awaited return to Briggs Road. Sweeney was a huge hit with local Ipswich fans during his two-year stint with the Jets. Burleigh sits in outright third spot after disposing of Tweed Heads last weekend.
CENTRAL COMETS v MACKAY
Saturday, May 2 @ Browne Park 7pm
THE Central Comets welcome electrifying fullback Tom Hewitt and tough prop Aaron Summers back to the fold for Saturday’s home clash against the Cutters. The key pair missed last weekend’s victory over Easts and their return provides a further boost for a Comets team that is playing with great confidence and control. The Rockhampton club has now won a club record five-straight games to be sitting in equal first place alongside Souths Logan. A huge crowd is expected to pack into Browne Park for the round eight clash. With in-form Mackay centre Royston Lightning ruled out with injury, Cutters coach Shane Muspratt has selected Sam Granville for his first Queensland Cup game of the season.
REDCLIFFE v SOUTHS LOGAN
Sunday, May 3 @ Dolphin Oval 3pm
SOUTHS Logan’s last top grade win at Dolphin Oval was in 1995, prior to the launch of the Queensland Cup. The head to head battle is also stacked heavily in favour of the Dolphins, who have won a staggering 21 out of their 24 matches. Despite their horror record, the Magpies are expected to beat Redcliffe in Sunday’s round eight clash. Souths Logan has won six on the trot and boasts arguably the most exciting line-up in the Queensland Cup. Star fullback David Milne has been named in the Magpies’ side despite an injury scare. The classy speedster suffered back spasms during the half-time break last weekend and did not return to the field. While Souths Logan snuck home against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls 28-20, the Dolphins went down 32-6 against a very good Northern Pride outfit in Cairns.
Source: www.qrl.com.au
New Stars Emerge For Devils
THE three men who powered Norths to their early wins may not play another Queensland Cup game this season but Devils fans should not give up hope if the new brigade’s efforts against Mackay are any indication.
After a week of soul searching, the under-strength Devils got their campaign back on track with a gritty 28-12 victory over the Cutters in Mackay on Saturday night.
The Devils entered the match without boom halfback Ben Hunt, who was called into the Broncos Toyota Cup team in a surprise move by the NRL club.
Hunt is clearly good enough to play in the Toyota Cup but there is a school of thought that the week-to-week grind of the Queensland Cup would be more beneficial to his development.
Along with fellow Broncos Josh McGuire and Ashton Sims, Hunt was instrumental in the Devils’ opening two wins of the season.
But with McGuire and Sims now entrenched in the Broncos’ NRL side and Hunt on Toyota Cup duty, the Devils unearthed some new match-winners on Saturday night in Mackay.
Kieran Turner, Georg Kepa, Matt Gillett, Mark Leafa and Joe Bond scored tries in the Devils’ crucial victory.
Little separated the two sides in the opening exchanges, with the 6-6 half-time scoreline reflecting the desperation in the rival camps.
The opening 25 minutes of the second half was just as tight and it wasn’t until the final 12 minutes of the contest that the Devils stamped their full authority.
Norths scored three late tries to grab their fourth win of the season.
It ended a two-match losing streak and lifted the Devils into fourth spot on percentages.
The Devils came under fire in the lead up to the match after their poor defensive record was highlighted by club bosses.
“To their credit the boys went out there and really aimed up,” said Devils coach Kevin Carmichael.
“They showed what they are capable of and the way they can defend.”
Inspirational hooker Jay Aston again led the way for the Devils.
Aston made some valuable ground in the middle of the park to ignite the visiting side on numerous occasions.
Playmakers Jason Connors, Asher Elemani and Bond were also sound throughout the physical encounter.
With Hunt likely to remain with the Broncos Under 20s, that trio will now shoulder a lot of the attacking responsibilities.
The Devils are at home to the in-form Northern Pride on Sunday.
Photo: SMP IMAGES
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Devils U18s Send Eels Packing
THE Norths Devils have produced a clinical second-half performance to bundle the Parramatta Eels out of the ARL Under 18 Finals.
Inspired by classy playmaker Bryce Hegarty and powerful prop Jesse Rogers, the Devils blitzed the Eels in the second half to run out 26-20 winners at Brisbane’s Langlands Park today.
The final scoreline probably flattered the visitors, who scored a consolation try in the final minute after being thoroughly outplayed in the final stanza.
The Eels took a 14-4 lead into the break but they were soon on the back-foot after speedy Devils winger Lachlan Maranta got Norths back into the contest with a great solo try following a set move from a scrum.
The Devils missed the conversion but they didn’t miss their next opportunity.
It was soon 14-all after Rogers crashed over under the posts and Hegarty landed the conversion.
Hegarty took control of the match following the early loss of Zak Bishop to injury.
The clever five-eighth cut the Eels’ big men to pieces with his clever passing game and slick footwork.
He laid on Rogers’ second try to put the Devils 20-14 in front.
Determined Norths hooker Byron Creighton sealed the match for the Devils with seven minutes remaining when he snuck over from dummy half.
Centre Aaron Whitchurch produced a powerhouse display for the Devils, who will now march on to the ARL semi-finals.
In the Under 16 quarter final at Langlands Park, Parramatta ended the Norths Devils’ campaign with a 38-24 win in front of a vocal crowd.
At Sydney's Toyota Park tonight, the Bulldogs beat the Townsville Stingers 38-16 in the Under 16 quarter final.
Manly beat the Stingers 36-18 in the Under 18 match.
UNDER 18 QUARTER FINAL
NORTHS DEVILS 26 (Jesse Rogers 2, Lachlan Maranta, Michael Lucas, Byron Creighton tries; Bryce Hegarty 3 goals) def PARRAMATTA EELS 20 (Chris Ulugia 2, Jason Wehbe, Kyle Fraser tries; Jaydin Tavita 2 goals) at Langlands Park
UNDER 16 QUARTER FINAL
PARRAMATTA 38 (Chad McGill, Josh Neale, Robbie Kamoto, Troy Errington, Soane Manumu’a, Kelepi Tanginoa, Kalausa Leaa tries; John Asiata 5 goals) def NORTHS DEVILS 24 (Josh Tunnicliffe 2, BJ Burgess, Ian Riccardi tries; Anthony Gadd 3, Jason Levy goals) at Langlands Park
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Dashing Devils Duo Show Class
THE new halves pairing of Jason Connors and Matt Gillett has delivered instant results for the Norths Devils.
With brilliant Broncos halfback-in-waiting Ben Hunt sidelined with a shoulder injury, Easts recruit Connors stepped into the No. 7 jersey in Saturday’s Queensland Cup clash against Wynnum Manly at BMD Kougari Oval.
The diminutive Connors produced the goods, with his clever running and kicking game creating numerous opportunities for the Devils.
Gillett was also outstanding and the Bribie Island junior capped a memorable game by scoring the final try of the match which secured a 24-12 victory.
The Devils had to fight hard for the victory against a gallant Seagulls outfit.
Wynnum Manly received a boost before kick off when key forward Darren Bain was cleared to play and recruit Will Scanlan stepped out for his first match in front of his new home supporters.
But the Seagulls’ joy was shortlived after prop Angus Martin was carried from the field in the opening minutes with a serious leg injury.
Martin’s exit forced coach Shane McNally to make a quick reshuffle and things only got worse for the Seagulls when Jharal Yow Yeh pounced on a stray pass from Wynnum’s Ben Green and ran the length of the field to score.
Yow Yeh showed an explosive turn of speed on the boggy Kougari Oval surface to race away and open the scoring with a try under the posts.
However, Wynnum Manly didn’t let the early setback worry them and the home side soon made it 6-6 when Luke Dalziel Don crashed over after a neat exchange of passes involving Bain and Adam Brideson.
The deadlock was broken in the 38th minute when Gillett showed his class to score. The conversion took the Devils out to an important 12-6 half-time lead.
The plucky Seagulls drew first blood in the second half courtesy of Dalziel Don, who planted the ball right on the white-line after skipping his way through the Devils forwards.
At 12-12 and with momentum behind them, the Seagulls were in with a big hope of notching their second victory of the season.
But their hopes were dashed in the 67th minute when a clever kick from Connors resulted in an easy try to big forward Eddy Purcell.
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Devils Results Round 4
The Norths Devils have recorded impressive results from the five grades, winning four of the five grades on the weekend, with the Reserve Grade narrowly missing making it five from five.
The Under 16 and 18 teams confirmed their status as the premier teamis in the Southern Conference of the Cyril Connell and Mal Meninga Cups having defeated Souths Logan in both grades. With only one round remaining both teams are undefeated and are likely to face Townsville to decide the QLD Champions.
The QLD Cup side overcame the loss of half back Ben Hunt to bounce back from last week's defeat to record a solid 24 to 12 win over the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
Queensland Cup
Round: 4
NORTHS DEVILS 24 (Matt Gillett 2, Jharal Yow Yeh, Eddy Purcell tries; Scott Hurrell 2, Jason Connors 2 goals) def WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 12 (Luke Dalziel Don 2 tries; Ben Green 2 goals) at BMD Kougari Oval.
FOGS Cup (Reserve Grade)
Round: 4
WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 20 (David Georgiou 2, Luke Brechin, Nathan Beckett tries; David Georgiou, Chris Birch goals) def NORTHS DEVILS 18 (Willis Grant, Clint Matthews, David Kramer tries; Ryan Hansen 2, Scott Ellis goals) at BMD Kougari Oval.
FOGS Colts Challenge (Under 20)
Round: 4
NORTHS DEVILS 34 (Stephen Tunnicliffe, Sieman Fuller, Sam Bann, Eli Wickham, Sean Yorston, Anthony Atkinson tries; Stephen Tunnicliffe 5 goals) def WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 14 (Sam Moli, Ben Faulkner, Jakk Kavanagh tries; Nick Swan goal) at BMD Kougari Oval.
Mal Meninga Cup (Under 18)
Round: 7
NORTHS DEVILS 40 (Lachlan Maranta 2, Mick Lucas 2, Joel Bailey, Zac Bishop, Ben Malley, Byron Creighton tries; Bryce Hegarty 4 goals) def SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 4 (Josiah Geia try)
Cyril Connell Cup (Under 16)
Round: 7
NORTHS DEVILS 30 (Caleb Binge 2, BJ Burgess 2, Josh Civoniceva tries; Anthony Gadd 3, Jason Levy 2 goals) def SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 18 (Garrett Nowland, Anthony Milford, Myles Dagley tries; Anthony Milford 3 goals)
Source: www.northsdevils.com
QLD Cup Round 4 Preview
WYNNUM MANLY v NORTHS DEVILS
When & Where: Saturday, April 4 @ BMD Kougari Oval 2pm *Live On ABC TV
Preview: THE Norths Devils enter the round four clash without brilliant halfback Ben Hunt. The 2008 Toyota Cup Player of the Year took little part in the Devils’ loss to Burleigh last weekend after leaving the field in the opening minutes with a shoulder injury. Jason Connors is the new halfback. Wynnum Manly plays its third match at home in four weeks and the Seagulls will be under pressure to perform after a heavy loss to Redcliffe in the opening leg of the Herald Cup last weekend. The Seagulls were rocked by the late withdrawals of Jason Moon, Aots Herangi and Blake Blackburn against the Dolphins. However, Moon and Herangi have been named at centre and hooker respectively for this weekend’s important clash. Wynnum Manly skipper Darren Bain is also an outside chance of returning from injury.
EASTS TIGERS v SOUTHS LOGAN
When & Where: Saturday, April 4 @ Langlands Park 3pm
IN the head to head stakes between the two proud clubs, the Easts Tigers hold the aces with 19 victories from 25 Queensland Cup clashes. Yet few people would give the Tigers much hope of maintaining that dominance after a winless start to the season. Easts did, however, show some signs of improvement last weekend against the Northern Pride. It took a final minute field goal for the Pride to put the plucky Tigers away. One bright spot for the Tigers last week was the dazzling form of speedy fullback Ryan Cullen. Cullen’s four pointer last week carried him to 83 Queensland Cup tries and ninth on the all-time list. The former Dolphin is closing in on the top five – Greg Burke and Brett McPherson are equal fifth on 86. Souths Logan won’t have the services of centre Adrian Purtell, a two-try match-winner for the Magpies against Ipswich last weekend. Purtell has won an NRL recall but the Magpies outfit will still feature an abundance of talent from Canberra’s ranks.
MACKAY v BURLEIGH
When & Where: Saturday, April 4 @ Mackay Juniors 7pm
MACKAY’S standing as the only unbeaten team in the Queensland Cup goes on the line in this fascinating match up. Mackay coach Shane Muspratt has a healthy respect for the Bears, a team he rates as one of the front-runners for the premiership. While the Cutters have opened the season with three straight wins, the Bears haven’t been quite as convincing. The Bears haven’t named key back-rower Martin Griese, who suffered an eye injury in last weekend’s 28-14 victory over a weakened Norths Devils outfit. However, the Bears will still field a potent forward pack which includes fringe Bronco Aaron Sweeney. The former Jets prop is yet to fully hit his straps for Burleigh and he’ll need to be on his game if the Bears are to get the better of a hard-working Mackay pack. Cowboys players Grant Rovelli and Shannon Hegarty have been named in the Cutters side after missing NRL selection this week.
NORTHERN PRIDE v SUNSHINE COAST
When & Where: Saturday, April 4 @ Barlow Park 7pm
THE Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles are quietly confident of upsetting one of the competition’s big guns in the Barlow Park clash. The Sea Eagles have lost two on the trot, but their form has hardly been poor. The Queensland Cup newboys actually led the Cutters 16-8 at half-time last Saturday and they stretched the star-studded Norths team all the way in the previous weekend’s round two match. However, their latest assignment is arguably the toughest in the League. The Pride is chasing a third-straight victory and many of their big guns who have only recently returned from injury or illness are just beginning to hit their straps. Fullback Chey Bird enjoyed some nice touches in his first game back from a nagging hamstring injury against the Tigers.
REDCLIFFE v CENTRAL COMETS
When & Where: Sunday, April 5 @ Dolphin Oval 2pm
PJ Marsh, a Queensland Maroons representative in 2008, slots into the No. 9 jersey for the Comets. With the Broncos star named in a full-strength Central line-up, the Rockhampton club has arguably never been in a stronger position to front the might of the Dolphins at Dolphin Oval. The Redcliffe ground has been a graveyard for most visiting teams over the years. In fact, the Comets have a horrible overall record against the Queensland Cup heavyweights, winning just four of 24 previous encounters. But there is a new sense of belief in the Comets camp following their great early season form. The Comets dusted Tweed 22-10 at Browne Park last weekend. Redcliffe, fresh from a dominant win over Wynnum Manly, has been boosted by the return of exciting young five-eighth Tim Yee from a neck injury.
TWEED HEADS v IPSWICH JETS
When & Where: Sunday, April 5 @ Cudgen Oval 3pm
IT’S only round four, but the season of 2008 grand finalist the Ipswich Jets is on the line at Cudgen Oval. The Jets would find it virtually impossible to make the finals if they fell to a fourth-straight defeat on Sunday. Ipswich had its chances against Souths Logan last weekend but paid the ultimate price for a scrappy second half display. However, the return of gun hooker Michael Ryan was a major positive for the Jets, who showed moments of brilliance in the opening half on their way to an 18-0 lead. Ryan was sharp out of dummy half in his first match since last September’s grand final. The former Broncos rake will go head to head with Geoff Holcombe, one of Tweed’s rising stars. Tweed has lost its last two away matches and will relish the opportunity to be back on home soil.
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Round 4 Teams
Queensland Cup
Round: 4
Venue: BMD Oval, Wynnum
Date: Saturday 4 April Game Time: 2:00pm
*ABC TV Match
Norths Devils Team:
1. George Kepa
2. Scott Hurrell
3. Ben Hurrell
4. Josefa Davui
5. Gideon Mzembe
6. Matt Gillett
7. Jason Connors
8. Mark Leafa
9. Jay Aston
10. Aaron Trinder
11. Eddy Purcell
12. Brendan Gibb
13. Fletcher Holmes
Interchange
14. Troy Hansen
15. Natthan Cleaver
16. Michael Morris
17. Ryan Hansen
Coach: Kevin Carmichael
FOGS Cup (Reserves)
Round: 4
Venue: BMD Oval, Wynnum
Date: Saturday 4 April Game Time: 12:30pm
Norths Devils Team:
1. John Aranga
2. Scott Ellis
3. Ben Poasa
4. Willis Grant
5. Chris Minehan
6. Joshua Costello
7. Joe Bond
8. James Sharkie
9. Dayne Rogers
10. James Api-Ulugia
11. Wiremu Ratana
12. Blake Harwood
13. Clinton Fewre
Interchange
14. Matt Budden
15. Asofono Lemalu
16. David Kramer
17. Daniel Ogden
Coach: Don GAILER
FOGS Colts Challenge (Under 20)
Round: 4
Venue: BMD Oval, Wynnum
Date: Saturday 4 April Game Time: 10:45am
Norths Devils Team:
1. Stephen Tunnicliffe
2. Sean Rees
3. Jake Whittle
4. Dan Crear
5. Sam Bann
6. Vincent Chan Sau
7. Eli Wickham
8. Anthony Atkinson
9. Sean Yorston
10. Marcus Clayton
11. Anesone Burgess
12. Aaron Corbyn
13. Trent Williamson
Interchange
14. Sam Broomhall
15. Sam Kasiano
16. Shayne Burgess
17. William McNee
Coach: Chris MUIR
Mal Meninga Cup (Under 18)
Round: 7
Venue: Bishop Park
Date: Friday 3 April Game Time: 7:15pm
Norths Devils Team:
1. Lachlan Maranta
2. Michael Lucas
3. Joel Bailey
4. Aaron Whitchurch
5. Brendon Sleep
6. Zak Bishop
7. Bryce Hegarty
8. Mitch McMahon
9. Byron Creighton
10. Mitchell Frei
11. Korbin Sims
12. Benn Malley
13. Chris Binge
Interchange
14. Daniel Faumuina
15. Jesse Rogers
16. Liam Herrington
17. Sam Neilson
Coach: Gary BISHOP
Cyril Connell Cup (Under 16)
Round: 7
Venue: Bishop Park
Date: Friday 3 April 6:00pm
Norths Devils Team:
1. BJ Burgess
2. Josh Civoniceva
3. Elijah Moli
4. Jerome Leedy
5. Alex McCann
6. Glenn Wilkie
7. Jason Levy
8. Caleb Binge
9. Josh Tunnicliffe
10. Shaquille Blair
11. Anthony Gadd
12. Jake Kelly
13. Iain Riccardi
Interchange
14. Brendan Cousins
15. Nick Flanigan
16. Kurt Warden
17. Alex Duncan
Coach: Jason CARROLL
Source: www.northsdevils.com
Devils Solid Start to 2009
The Norths Devils have recorded a solid start to their 2009 season after three rounds of the QLD and FOGS Cup, and six rounds of the under 16 and 18 competions.
Despite a mixed weekend on the Gold Coast which saw an injury depleted QLD Cup side defeated by the Burleigh Bears, the Club still managed three wins from the five grades.
The Devils sit in a tie for second in both the QLD Cup and FOGS Colts (Under 20) competitions, outright second in FOGS Cup (Reserve Grade), and undefeated and outright first in the Under 18 and 16 competitions.
Queensland Cup
Round: 3
BURLEIGH BEARS 28 (Adam Fielder 2, Joel Rapana, Murray Emmerson, Pele Peletelese tries; Nick Parfitt 4 goals) def NORTHS DEVILS 14 (Scott Hurrell, Josefa Davui, Matt Gillett tries; Scott Hurrell goal) at Pizzey Park.
FOGS Cup (Reserve Grade)
Round: 3
NORTHS DEVILS 28 (Willis Grant 2, Joe Bond 2, John Aranga tries; Scott Ellis 4 goals) def BURLEIGH BEARS 22 (Dave Tehuia 2, Matt Nuttall, Joseph Smith tries; Sam Stewart 3 goals) at Pizzey Park.
FOGS Colts Challenge (Under 20)
Round: 3
BURLEIGH BEARS 30 (Ricardo Parata 2, Perrin Miller, Brent Felthouse, Sam Webber tries; Perrin Miller 5 goals) def NORTHS DEVILS 20 (Sean Yorston 2, Jake Whittle, Matt Brown tries; Stephen Tunnicliffe 2 goals) at Pizzey Park.
Mal Meninga Cup (Under 18)
Round: 6
NORTHS DEVILS 38 (Korbin Sims 2, Joel Bailey, Zac Bishop, Chris Binge, Benn Malley, Byron Creighton tries; Bryce Hegarty 5 goals) def GOLD COAST VIKINGS 4 (Sione Akakoula try)
Cyril Connell Cup (Under 16)
Round: 6
NORTHS DEVILS 24 (BJ Burgess, Jerome Leedy, Anthony Gadd, Shaquille Blair tries; Jason Levy 2, Josh Civoniceva, Anthony Gadd goals) def GOLD COAST VIKINGS 16 (Michael Manual Dunlop, Cameron Cullen, Ben Thompson tries; Mitcham Ardler, Cameron Cullen goals)
Source: www.northsdevils.com
QLD Cup Round 3 Preview
BURLEIGH v NORTHS DEVILS
When & Where: Sunday, March 29 @ Pizzey Park 3pm
Preview: AFTER opening their season with big wins against Easts and the Sunshine Coast, the Norths Devils face their biggest test of the season. The 2009 surprise packets will come up against a Burleigh outfit still smarting after its shock 32-6 loss to Redcliffe. It’s hard to see Burleigh playing as poorly two weeks in a row, so the Devils will have to be at their best. Norths coach Kevin Carmichael won’t have star performers Josh McGuire and Ashton Sims in his line-up. Both players have won selection in the Broncos team to play the Warriors in New Zealand. In the head to head stakes between the two teams, the Burleigh Bears have their noses in front with 15 victories from 26 Queensland Cup matches.
SOUTHS LOGAN v IPSWICH
When & Where: Saturday, March 28 @ Meakin Park 2pm * Live On ABC TV
LAST year’s grand finalists will go head to head for the new Bendigo Bank Cup in Saturday’s intriguing round three clash. Ipswich is one of only two teams yet to record a win this season and new head coach Glenn Lazarus would dearly love to open their account against their 2008 nemesis. With Chris Walker named to play for the Titans and Troy O’Sullivan still recovering from a torn hamstring, the Jets will today name a new fullback. They have no shortage of options though, with a host of outside backs – including Tyson Muscat and Luke Walker – starring for the Ipswich FOGS Cup team last weekend. Ipswich lock Chris Afamasaga is free to play after taking an early plea to a careless high tackle charge.
CENTRAL COMETS v TWEED HEADS
When & Where: Saturday, March 28 @ Browne Park 6pm
TALENTED Comets forward Andrew Dale plays his 50th Queensland Cup game for the Rockhampton club. Dale has put in a big off-season and is one of many local boys impressing in the early rounds. The Comets are chasing their second victory of the season, and had it not been for a late error in last weekend’s clash against Wynnum Manly, they would have been vying for a third. Central was beaten on the buzzer in a result which may just come back to haunt Wayne Barnett’s men. Tweed also tasted defeat in round two. The Seagulls were no match for a red-hot Souths Logan outfit. Big-hitting Titans forward Daniel Conn has been named to play his second match for the Seagulls. With key five-eighth Brad Davis still nursing sore ribs, Cody Nelson will again partner Tim Maccan in the halves.
SUNSHINE COAST v MACKAY
When & Where: Saturday, March 28 @ Stockland Park 7pm
THE first meeting between these two young clubs should produce a tight and entertaining contest. The skillful Sunshine Coast outfit has shown it is capable of scoring plenty of points, while Mackay’s bustling defence has been a feature of its two early wins. Mackay coach Shane Muspratt continues to back the region’s local talent. Promising forward Jerome Iakimo, a standout in the Mackay local league last season, impressed many good judges in the Cutters’ 34-16 victory over Easts. The battle of the outside backs should be worth the price of admission. Both teams have some genuine speedsters and potent try-scoring weapons. Sunshine Coast fullback Howie Matthews scored a hat-trick last weekend, while teammates Michael Chapman and Ryan Walker were also impressive with the ball in hand.
NORTHERN PRIDE v EASTS TIGERS
When & Where: Saturday, March 28 @ Barlow Park 7pm
AFTER two heavy losses, Easts coach Darren Smith has made changes to his starting team. Smith has named hard-working forward Mark Offerdahl in the second-row in a bid to tighten his team’s flimsy defence. The Tigers will also field a new halves combination, with Dane Phillips replacing Alby Talipeau at halfback. Talipeau, a grand final hero with Souths Logan last year, has been switched to lock. It’s a must win game for the Tigers, who could ill-afford to leave Cairns without the two competition points. The Pride will be keen to impress in their first home match of the season. Tough forward Ben Laity plays his 100th Queensland Cup game. Laity has also played with the North Queensland Young Guns and Easts.
REDCLIFFE v WYNNUM MANLY
When & Where: Sunday, March 29 @ Dolphin Oval 3pm
THE first leg of the Herald Cup promises to be a beauty with both sides coming off last-start victories. Redcliffe got its season rolling with a win over Burleigh, while Wynnum Manly was somewhat fortunate to escape with a two-point victory over the Central Comets. Redcliffe stalwart Danny Burke is poised to play his 200th Queensland Cup game for the Dolphins this weekend. Burke was set to reach the milestone last weekend but hand and knee injuries prevented him from taking the field. The tough back-rower will now have the honour of reaching the magical figure on home soil. Having served a two-match suspension, Wynnum Manly has rushed halfback Matt Seamark straight back into its starting team. The match also marks John Te Reo’s 50th Queensland Cup appearance. The former Broncos utility joined the Seagulls after stints with Toowoomba and Aspley.
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Round 3 Teams
Queensland Cup
Round: 3
Venue: Pizzey Park
Date: Sunday 29 Mar 2009 Game Time: 3:00pm
Norths Devils Team:
1. John Aranga
2. George Kepa
3. Ben Hurrell
4. Josefa Davui
5. Gideon Mzembe
6. Matt Gillett
7. Ben Hunt
8. Mark Leafa
9. Jay Aston
10. Aaron Trinder
11. Eddy Purcell
12. Brendan Gibb
13. Fletcher Holmes
Interchange
14. Troy Hansen
15. Natthan Cleaver
16. Michael Morris
17. Ryan Hansen
Coach: Kevin Carmichael
FOGS Cup
Round: 3
Venue: Pizzey Park
Date: Sunday 29 Mar 2009 Game Time: 1:30pm
Norths Devils Team:
1. Jason Poppi
2. Scott Ellis
3. Ben Poasa
4. Willis Grant
5. Scott Hurrell
6. Joe Bond
7. Jason Connors
8. James Sharkie
9. Dane Rogers
10. James Api-Ulugia
11. Matt Budden
12. Blake Harwood
13. Clinton Fewre
Interchange
14. Wiremu Ratana
15. Asofono Lemalu
16. Clint Mathews
17. Joshua Costello
Coach: Don GAILER
FOGS Colts Challenge (Under 20)
Round: 3
Venue: Pizzey Park
Date: Sunday 29 Mar 2009 Game Time: 11:45am
Norths Devils Team:
1. Stephen Tunnicliffe
2. Dan Crear
3. Jake Whittle
4. Aaron Corbyn
5. Sam Bann
6. Trent Williamson
7. Sean Yorston
8. Anthony Atkinson
9. Eli Wickham
10. Jamie Muller
11. Matt Brown
12. Marcus Clayton
13. Vincent Chan Sau
Interchange
14. Sam Broomhall
15. Sam Kasiano
16. Sebastian Sinapati
17. William McNee
Coach: Chris MUIR
Mal Meninga Cup (Under 18)
Round: 6
Venue: Gold Coast
Date: Saturday 28 March Game Time: 7:15pm
Norths Devils Team:
1. Lachlan Maranta
2. Michael Lucas
3. Joel Bailey
4. Aaron Whitchurch
5. Brendon Sleep
6. Zak Bishop
7. Bryce Hegarty
8. Mitch McMahon
9. Byron Creighton
10. Mitchell Frei
11. Korbin Sims
12. Benn Malley
13. Chris Binge
Interchange
14. Daniel Faumuina
15. Jesse Rogers
16. Liam Herrington
17. Sam Neilson
Coach: Gary BISHOP
Cyril Connell Cup (Under 16)
Round: 6
Venue: Gold Coast
Date: Saturday 28 March Game Time: 6:00pm
Norths Devils Team:
1. BJ Burgess
2. Tom Whyte
3. Josh Civoniceva
4. Jerome Leedy
5. Alex McCann
6. Glenn Wilkie
7. Jason Levy
8. Caleb Binge
9. Josh Tunnicliffe
10. Shaquille Blair
11. Anthony Gadd
12. Jake Kelly
13. Iain Riccardi
Interchange
14. Brendan Cousins
15. Nick Flanigan
16. Kurt Warden
17. Alex Duncan
Coach: Jason CARROLL
Source: www.northsdevils.com
Late Surge Lights Up Bishop Park
A DEVASTATING four-try burst in the final 10 minutes of play has catapulted the Norths Devils to a 46-26 Queensland Cup victory over the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles.
The round two clash at Bishop Park had hung in the balance until the Devils’ stunning surge in the dying minutes.
It was a cruel finish for the Sea Eagles, who had led 26-22 with a little over 10 minutes remaining after fullback Howie Matthews leapt high to score from a neat Jack Pearson kick.
But Matthews’ spectacular try – his third of the match – was the last moment of joy for the visitors.
From the moment big Norths prop Aaron Trinder forced a mistake from the Sea Eagles, everything went the Devils’ way.
Boom forward Josh McGuire charged through the line to level the score at 26-26.
The simple conversion put the Devils in front 28-26 and they never looked back as the floodgates opened.
The scoreline blew out as Ashton Sims, Nathan Cleaver and Trinder got in on the act in the closing stages.
The Devils have now racked up a staggering 86 points in their opening two matches to sit on top of the table.
Classy hooker Jay Aston was judged the ABC TV’s man of the match.
Despite the loss, there was a lot to like about the Sunshine Coast’s performance.
The Sea Eagles led 14-10 at half-time and were a big chance until the Devils dominated through their sheer weight of possession in the final 10 minutes.
In an encouraging sign, the Queensland Cup newcomers were able to cross for several long range tries.
Few were better than Matthews’ scorching effort in the 25th minute of the first half.
After a neat movement, centre Shane Neumann charged through the line and linked with the flying Matthews who sprinted untouched on the way to the try line.
Not to be outdone, Norths also produced some magic of their own.
Their 12th minute “special” from flying winger George Kepa will feature on the ABC’s highlight reels for some time to come.
Kepa showed an amazing turn of foot and a clean pair of hands to dive over and score the opening try of the game form a perfectly weighted Ben Hunt kick.
Photo: SMP Images
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Devils Win All 5 Grades
The Norths Devils have continued their impressive start to the season with wins in all three grades at Bishop Park on the weekend.
An eight minute blitz to finish the game, that include twenty four points, to take the Devils from 26-22 down to 46-26 winners in the QLD Cup capped a sensational day for the Club.
QLD Cup - NORTHS DEVILS 46 (Joshua McGuire 2, Georg Kepa, Ben Hurrell, Matt Gillett, Aaron Trinder, Ashton Sims, Nathan Cleaver tries; Ben Hunt 7 goals) def SUNSHINE COAST SEA EAGLES 26 (Howie Matthews 3, Ryan Walker, Michael Chapman tries; Howie Matthews 3 goals)
FOGS Cup - NORTHS DEVILS 44 (Scott Hurrell 2, David Kramer 2, Joe Bond, Ryan Hansen, James Api Ulugia, Asofono Lemalu tries; Scott Hurrell 6 goals) def SUNSHINE COAST SEA EAGLES 26 (Steven Kim 2, Mitch King, Hayden Fisher, Travis White, Dennis Sandow tries; Paul Cohen goal)
FOGS COLTS (U20) - NORTHS DEVILS 38 (Jake Whittle 3, Sam Bann, Trent Williamson, Vincent Chan Sau, Sebastian Sinapati tries; Stephen Tunnicliffe 5 goals) def SUNSHINE COAST SEA EAGLES 8 (Brendan Abel, Steve Spencer tries)
Mal Meninga Cup (U18) - NORTHS DEVILS 28 (Aaron Whitchurch, Zac Bishop, Korbin Sims, Mitchell Frei, Byron Creighton tries; Bryce Hegarty 2, Mitchell Frei 2 goals) def IPSWICH DIGGERS 12 (Josh Cleeland 2 tries; Sam Krueger 2 goals)
Cyril Connell Cup (U16) - NORTHS DEVILS 42 (Jake Kelly 2, Shaquille Blair 2, BJ Burgess, Elijah Moli, Glen Wilkie, tries; Jason Levy 5, Anthony Gadd 2 goals) def IPSWICH DIGGERS 6 (Rian Diffey try; Jordan Tighe goal)
Source: www.northsdevils.com
QLD Cup Round 2 Preview
ROUND one winners the Norths Devils and Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles clash in the ABC TV match of the round at Bishop Park on Saturday.
NORTHS v SUNSHINE COAST
Saturday, March 21 @ Bishop Park 2pm * Live On ABC TV
Queensland Cup newcomers, the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles, make their debut in front of the ABC television cameras in this Bishop Park blockbuster. The Sea Eagles are coming off an historic opening round victory over Redcliffe, while the Devils are also in great touch after a 40-14 thumping of Easts. The battle between the opposite halfbacks should be a beauty. Both Ben Hunt (Norths) and Trent Hodkinson (Sunshine Coast) are understudies at their respective NRL clubs. Along with directing the on-field play, Hunt and Hodkinson will assume the goal-kicking duties for their teams. Hunt scored a try and kicked six goals against Easts, while Hodkinson – handpicked to be Matt Orford’s back up at Manly – landed two goals in the Sunshine Coast’s 24-18 win.
IPSWICH v NORTHERN PRIDE
Saturday, March 21 @ Briggs Road 2pm
Both sides were outplayed in round one and there is little doubt rival coaches Glenn Lazarus (Jets) and Andrew Dunemann (Pride) will be demanding improved performances. Ipswich was its own worst enemy last weekend, spilling possession on countless occasions. The Pride was also off its game, but Dunemann’s charges did have a disrupted preparation. The Cairns outfit looks more settled this week, with big guns Chey Bird, Joel Riethmuller and Mark Cantoni returning from injury or illness. The Jets have named Chris Walker as Troy O’Sullivan’s replacement at fullback. Walker started on the wing last week but switched to fullback when Troy O’Sullivan limped from the field with a hamstring tear that is expected to sideline him for a month. Brendon Marshall, a late withdrawal last week, comes into the starting side.
SOUTHS LOGAN v TWEED HEADS
Saturday, March 21 @ Meakin Park 3pm
INJURIES to Brad Davis (ribs) and David Mead (ankle) have forced Tweed coach Steve Anderson to reshuffle his backline for the clash with the Magpies. Former Titans Under 20 players Cameron White and Cody Nelson are the new additions. Nelson takes over from Davis at five-eighth, while White slots on to the wing in a move which pushes Ben Jeffery into the centres. Davis’ withdrawal is a huge loss for the inexperienced Seagulls. But the Seagulls do have momentum on their side, with last weekend’s 30-20 victory over the Northern Pride providing a great launching pad for the rest of the season. Souths Logan has named off-season recruits Ryan Tongia and Denny Lambert in its side for the Meakin Park clash.
MACKAY v EASTS
Saturday, March 21 @ Mackay Juniors 7pm
EASTS coach Darren Smith has resisted the temptation to make major changes, despite a lacklustre display against Norths. The Tigers should come out breathing fire, but they’ll run into a committed Mackay outfit. There was a lot to like about the Cutters’ 18-10 victory over Ipswich last weekend. With halfback Grant Rovelli included on an extended North Queensland Cowboys bench, Cutters coach Shane Muspratt has named Todd Seymour in the No. 7 jumper. Rovelli, a standout against the Jets in round one, may yet return to the Mackay line-up. But this match is likely to be a battle of the forwards. The Tigers have a massive forward pack, but they’ll have to muscle up when giant Cutters prop Quinton Fielder is injected into the game. Fielder made a huge impact off the bench last week, scoring a try and breaking the line with some strong surges.
WYNNUM MANLY v CENTRAL COMETS
Saturday, March 21 @ BMD Kougari Oval 7pm
A FEW years ago the prospect of a Central Comets team arriving at BMD Kougari Oval as warm favourites would have been almost unthinkable. But following the unpredictable opening round, the Central Comets could in fact be favoured by most punters leading into this round two clash. The Comets are coming off a spirited 27-20 victory over heavyweights Souths Logan, while the Seagulls appear vulnerable after a costly loss to Burleigh. Wynnum Manly’s injury woes worsened this week, with Chris Currie now likely to join the likes of Will Scanlan, Darren Bain, Mitchell Dodds and David Seage on the sidelines.
BURLEIGH v REDCLIFFE
Sunday, March 22 @ Pizzey Park 3pm
TOUGH back-rower Danny Burke plays his 200th Queensland Cup game for the Dolphins. Burke would love nothing more than to leave Pizzey Park with a victory, but it won’t be an easy task. Burleigh is riding high after a solid 28-6 victory over Wynnum Manly and will be keen to impress in front of their home fans for the first time this season. Bears winger Kaine Manihera, a try-scorer on debut for Burleigh last weekend, lines up against his former club for the first time. The Bears are running a Family Fun Day promotion at Sunday’s match.
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Sunshine Coast Preview
The newly formed Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles got their 2009 debut season off to a flying start defeating the Redcliffe Dolphins at Stockland Park on Saturday.
The Sea Eagles who are the feeder side to the defending NRL Premiers Manly, face the Norths Devils this Saturday at Bishop Park, in the ABC TV Match of the Round.
The Sea Eagles are coached by former Norths Devils and NRL player Brandon Costin.
Costin said the Sea Eagles had no major injury worries leading into next weekend’s clash against the Norths Devils at Bishop Park.
He said his team would have to be at their absolute best.
“We played them in a trial and they were outstanding,” he said of the Devils, who opened their campaign with a 40-14 win over Easts.
“Their energy and skill level is awesome.”
Queensland Cup
Round: 2
Venue: Bishop Park **ABC TV Match
Date: Sat 21 Mar 2009 Game Time: 2:00pm
Norths Devils Team:
1. John Aranga
2. George Kepa
3. Ben Hurrell
4. Josefa Davui
5. Gideon Mzembe
6. Matt Gillett
7. Ben Hunt
8. Mark Leafa
9. Jay Aston
10. Aaron Trinder
11. Eddy Purcell
12. Brendan Gibb
13. Fletcher Holmes
Interchange
14. Troy Hansen
15. Natthan Cleaver
16. Michael Morris
17. Scott Hurrell
Coach: Kevin Carmichael
FOGS Cup
Round: 2
Venue: Bishop Park
Date: Sat 21 Mar 2009 Game Time: 12:15pm
Norths Devils Team:
1. David Kramer
2. Ben Poasa
3. Scott Ellis
4. Aaron Varu
5. Daniel Ogden
6. Joshua Costello
7. Joe Bond
8. James Sharkie
9. Dane Rogers
10. James Api-Ulugia
11. Ryan Hansen
12. Blake Harwood
13. Clinton Fewre
Interchange
14. Dan Donovan
15. Asofono Lemalu
16. Matt Budden
17. Asa Broadbent
Coach: Don GAILER
FOGS Colts Challenge
Round: 2
Venue: Bishop Park
Date: Sat 21 Mar 2009 Game Time: 10:45am
Norths Devils Team:
1. Stephen Tunnicliffe
2. Dan Crear
3. Jake Whittle
4. Aaron Corbyn
5. Sam Bann
6. Trent Williamson
7. Sean Yorston
8. Anthony Atkinson
9. Eli Wickham
10. Sebastian Sinapati
11. Matt Brown
12. Marcus Clayton
13. Vincent Chan Sau
Interchange
14. Sam Broomhall
15. Sam Kasiano
16. Daniel Faumuina
17. William McNee
Coach: Chris MUIR
Mal Meninga Cup
Round: 5
Venue: Bishop Park
Date: Friday 20 March Game Time: 7:15pm
Norths Devils Team: TBA
Coach: Gary BISHOP
Cyril Connell Cup
Round: 5
Venue: Bishop Park
Date: Friday 20 March Game Time: 6:00pm
Norths Devils Team: TBA
Coach: Jason CARROLL
Source: www.northsdevils.com
Spirited Devils Toy With Tigers
CAN the Norths Devils create history and become the first Queensland Cup team to win a premiership just a season after finishing with the wooden spoon?
While such an accomplishment is a tall order, Devils fans could have nodded off to sleep last night dreaming of September glory after watching their new-look side demolish the Easts Tigers at Langlands Park.
Norths ran riot against a team tipped by many to win this year’s Queensland Cup.
Spurred on by rampaging forwards Ashton Sims and Josh McGuire, the Devils blitzed Easts 40-14 with a breathtaking display of attacking rugby league.
Norths, who won just two games in 2008 and conceded 722 points along the way, led 24-0 at half-time.
Easts made a brief comeback courtesy of tries to Alec Fata, Ben Vaeau and Kev Stephenson in the second half, but the home side was never in the hunt.
The fired-up Devils made their intentions clear in the opening minutes when McGuire carried three defenders over the line to score.
When prop Mark Leafa charged over soon after, the writing was on the wall for the shell-shocked Tigers.
Norths were outstanding across the park, with all 17 players contributing to the memorable round one victory.
Broncos contracted halfback Ben Hunt was inspirational for the Devils, who have found a new lease of life since Kevin Carmichael took control of a revamped squad.
Hunt crossed for a try and had a hand in several others. He also landed six conversions to cap off a strong outing.
With their forwards dominating up front, the Devils’ slippery backs showed their class on the flanks.
Wingers George Kepa and Gideon Mzembe both crossed the try-line, and so too did fullback Kieran Turner.
Fijian flyer Josefa Davui was also super impressive for the Devils, who play the Sunshine Coast next weekend.
Photo: SMP IMAGES
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Devils Dream Start in 5 Grades
The Norths Devils have kicked off their season in the best possible way, claiming wins in four grades and a draw in the FOGS Cups.
The Under 16 and 18 sides have continued their impressive form remaining undefeated in both grades at the end of round four. The two FOGS grades also made impressive starts with the FOGS Cup grade drawing with last years Premiers and the Colts claiming a victory after being defeated heavily by the same side in the trials just two weeks ago.
QLD Cup - NORTHS DEVILS 40 (Josh McGuire 2, Kieran Turner, George Kepa, Gideon Mzembe, Ben Hunt, Mark Leafa tries; Ben Hunt 6 goals) def EASTS TIGERS 14 (Kev Stephensen, Ben Vaeau, Alec Fata tries; Matt Lockyer goal) at Langlands Park.
FOGS Cup - EASTS TIGERS 18 (Luke Wright, Joseph Richards, Mark Offerdahl, Daniel Bell tries; Trent Henrick goal) drew NORTHS DEVILS 18 (Chris Minehan, Daniel Ogden, David Kramer tries; Scott Hurrell 3 goals) at Langlands Park.
FOGS Colts (U/20) NORTHS DEVILS 22 (Marcus Clayton 2, Sean Yorston, Sam Kasiano tries; Stephen Tunnicliffe 3 goals) def EASTS TIGERS 20 (Ricky Barba, Komisi Umu, Eddy Tuatali, Dywayne Rigby tries; Komisi Umu 2 goals) at Langlands Park.
Mal Meninga Cup U18 – NORTHS DEVILS 38 (Korbin Sims 3, Lachlan Maranta 2, Mick Lucas, Liam Sue Tin tries; Mitchell Frei 2, Bryce Hegarty 2, Mick Lucas goals) def SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 6 (Blake Harvey try; Tyler Oxenham goal)
Cyril Connell Cup U16 - NORTHS DEVILS 44 (Jerome Leedy 3, Alex McCann 2, Elijah Moli, Glen Wilkie, Josh Tunnicliffe, Nick Flannigan tries; Jason Levy 4 goals) def SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 10 (Blake Geirke, Matt Bowd tries; Patrick Templeman goal)
Source: www.northsdevils.com
QLD Cup Round 1 Preview
EASTS V NORTHS
When & Where: Saturday, March 14 @ Langlands Park 3pm
Referee: Michael Inman
Preview: EASTS will unveil their star-studded forward pack in this intriguing clash against the Norths Devils. In a show of strength, the Tigers have named former Roosters prop Charlie Tonga in the second-row for the Langlands Park blockbuster. Recruits Isaak Ah Mau and Bean Vaeau form a potent front-row combination. Fellow recruits Ryan Cullen, Rickie Dodd and Alby Talipau will also be on show for the Tigers in a revamped backline. Norths have named a classy line-up, with Broncos players Ashton Sims, Josh McGuire and Ben Hunt in the starting side. Hunt, a star for the Broncos in last year’s Toyota Cup, holds the key for the Devils.
Norths Devils Team:
1. Kieran TURNER
2. George KEPA
3. Jace BROWN
4. Josefa DAVUI
5. Gideon MZEMBE
6. Matt GILLETT
7. Ben HUNT
13. Fletcher HOLMES
12. Joshua McGUIRE
11. Ashton SIMS
10. Aaron TRINDER
9. Jay ASTON
8. Mark LEAFA
Interchange:
14. Troy HANSEN
15. Nathan CLEAVER
16. Michael MORRIS
17. Ben HURRELL
Coach: Kevin Carmichael
TWEED HEADS V NORTHERN PRIDE
Saturday, March 14 @ Cudgen Oval 2pm (Qld time) * ABC TV GAME
Referee: Clayton Sharpe
Tweed Heads will field arguably the most electrifying backline in the competition when it meets the Northern Pride in the ABC match of the round. The Seagulls have named 2007 grand final hero Shannon Walker at fullback for the round one clash. Throw in fellow speedsters Ben Jeffery, David Mead, David Wood and Brenton Bowen, and the Seagulls have an abundance of talent outwide. Steering the ship is the proven halves combination of Brad Davis and Tim Maccan. Likewise, the Northern Pride has named a powerful line-up. Inspirational halfback Chris Sheppard and tough back-rower Joel Riethmuller are back on board after missing the end of the Pride’s 2008 campaign through injury.
SUNSHINE COAST V REDCLIFFE
Saturday, March 14 @ Stockland Park 2pm
Referee: Nick Kalpakidis
The Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles face a massive challenge in their debut Queensland Cup match, with an opening round assignment against the competition’s most successful club awaiting them. But the emotion of playing in the club’s opening clash could just spur the Sea Eagles on to the upset win they crave. The Sunshine Coast has named Manly enforcer George Rose in its line-up. The competition newcomers will also unveil a host of new recruits, including speedy outside back Michael Chapman. Having lost a stack of experience in the off-season, the Dolphins will build their play around forward mainstays Danny Burke and Derrick Watkins.
IPSWICH V MACKAY
Saturday, March 14 @ Briggs Road 5pm
Referee: Robert Gallacher
Ipswich has named just four players – Troy O’Sullivan, Brendon Marshall, Scott Ireland and Ian Lacey – from its 2008 grand final side. With skipper Danny Coburn and mainstays Michael Ryan and Matt McPhee ruled out through injury, the pressure will be on Ipswich’s new recruits to shine in the opening round clash against the Cutters. Ipswich has been boosted by the inclusion of Titans flyer Chris Walker. The Cutters have been propped up by the NQ Cowboys, who will provide the likes of Donald Malone, Mitchell Achurch and Dayne Weston. Home town favourite Jardine Bobongie will also debut for the Cutters.
CENTRAL COMETS V SOUTHS LOGAN
Saturday, March 14 @ Browne Park 7pm
Referee: Justin Davis
SOUTHS Logan faces a major test in its first Queensland Cup match since its stunning grand final victory last year. The Magpies have drawn the Central Comets at Rockhampton’s Browne Park, a venue which is never kind to visiting teams. But Magpies coach Paul Bramley has no shortage of firepower to call upon. His team includes a host of impressive young talent from the Canberra Raiders system as well as proven Queensland Cup performers Shea Moylan, Phil Dennis, Lewis Balcomb and Josh White. The Comets will showcase recruits Aaron Summers, Alan Rothery and Ian Webster in a formidable forward pack, which should create plenty of space for Nat Bowman and Karl Johnson to weave their magic on the edges.
WYNNUM MANLY V BURLEIGH
Sunday, March 15 @ BMD Kougari Oval 3pm
Referee: Shane Spicer
The only Sunday match of the round brings together two teams with big points to prove in 2009. Wynnum Manly is determined to go a few steps further after being knocked out of the opening week of the 2008 play-offs, while the new-look Burleigh Bears are keen to return from the semi-final wilderness. Burleigh has included emerging Bronco Aaron Sweeney in its 17 along with impressive recruits Daniel Isaac, Tanu Wulf, Matt Pow and Kaine Manihera. Such is the depth in the Burleigh ranks, the Bears could find no room in their top side for former premiership-winning Tweed prop Chris Enahoro. The Seagulls have some new faces in the backline, but the forward mainstays from last year – Adam Brideson, Darren Bain, Luke Dalziel Don, Chris Muckert, John Te Reo and Jason Williams – have all returned to anchor Wynnum’s campaign. With Matt Seamark serving a carry over suspension from last year, Ben Green is the new No. 7.
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Devils Continue Hot Form in 16 & 18's
Mal Meninga Cup U18 – Southern Conference
Round 3 Results
Saturday 7 March
NORTHS DEVILS 58 (Korbin Sims 3, Aaron Whitchurch 2, Chris Binge 2, Lachlan Maranta, Mick Lucas, Joel Bailey, Sam Nielson tries; Mitchell Frei 3, Bryce Hegarty 3, Chris Binge goals) def TOOWOOMBA CLYDESDALES 6 (David Imeson try; Nick Boney goal)
GOLD COAST VIKINGS 76 (Ben Murdock 3, Henare Wells 2, Danny White 2, Isaac Lui 2, Jacob Nash 2, Zane Grosdanis, Jarrad Shelford tries; Sam Prendergast 12 goals) def REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 10 (Matthew Ellis, Matthew Humphreys, tries; Jesse Anderson goal)
SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 12 (Alan Alofipo, Absolm Curry tries; Josh Papalii 2 goals) def EASTS TIGERS 4 (Charlie Burchell try;)
IPSWICH DIGGERS 34 (Sam Krueger 2, Raimant Teawa, Lachlan Tuite, Callum Waldrum, Travis Jeans tries; Sam Krueger 4, Callum Waldrum goals def WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 12 (Luke Keen, Reece Wilson, Jayden Jarvis tries; )
SUNSHINE COAST Bye
NEXT WEEK’S GAMES – ROUND 4
Friday 13 March
Souths Logan Magpies V Redcliffe Dolphins Brandon Park 8:15pm
Saturday 14 March
Toowoomba Clydesdales V Easts Tigers Warwick Collegians 5:00pm
Gold Coast Vikings V Wynnum Manly Seagulls Burleigh Jnrs 7:00pm
Sunshine Coast Falcons V Norths Devils Stockland Park 7:00pm
Ipswich Diggers BYE
Cyril Connell Cup U16 – Southern Conference
Round 3 Results
Saturday 7 March
NORTHS DEVILS 44 (Jerome Leedy 2, Josh Tunnicliffe 2, Iain Riccardi, Jake Kelly, Shaquille Blair, Brendan Cousins tries; Jason Levy 6 goals) def TOOWOOMBA CLYDESDALES 4 (Mitch Reimers try; )
GOLD COAST VIKINGS 24 (Geordi Penrose, Corben Turner, Eddie Brimelow, Ben Thompson tries; Mitcham Ardler 2, Jamal Fogerty 2 goals) def REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 22 (Barton Lyons 2, John Kleis, Jackson Clarke tries; Ryan Miller 3 goals)
SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 44 (Keiran Battelley 2, Anthony Milford 2, Joseph Tago 2, Elija Palupe, Elisha Palupe tries; Anthony Milford 6 goals) def EASTS TIGERS 4 (Tim O’Donnell try)
IPSWICH DIGGERS 30 (Jordan Tighe 2, Rian Diffey, Samson Hookey, Brendan O’Rielly, Cyrus Leota tries; Cyrus Leota 3 goals) def WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 12 (Arthur Hanley, Billy Solah, Jarvis Mortimer tries; )
SUNSHINE COAST Bye
NEXT WEEK’S GAMES – ROUND 4
Friday 13 March
Souths Logan Magpies V Redcliffe Dolphins Brandon Park 7:00pm
Saturday 14 March
Toowoomba Clydesdales V Easts Tigers Collegians Warwick 3:30pm
Gold Coast Vikings V Wynnum Manly Burleigh Jnrs 5.30pm
Sunshine Coast Falcons V Norths Devils Stockland Park 5.45pm
Ipswich Diggers BYE
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Norths Devils Season Preview
AFTER a forgettable 2008 season, the new-look Norths Devils have their sights set on a charge up the ladder.
With less than two weeks remaining until the start of the Queensland Cup season, we preview the Devils’ 2009 prospects.
CEO: Mark Murray
COACH: Kevin Carmichael
QLD CUP RECORD: 152W, 10D, 118L
Premierships (14): 1927, 1934, 1938, 1940, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1969, 1980 and 1998
Most Games: Wade Fenton 114, Kevin Carmichael 107, Marc Brentnall 98, Pat Gardner 81, Aaron Bulow 79
Most Points: John Wilshere 538, Marty Turner 518, Greg Inglis 194, Cameron Smith 188, Kevin Carmichael 182
Most Tries: Steven Bell 45, Kevin Carmichael 45, Derek Fletcher 38, Cooper Cronk 37, Quentin Laulu-Togagae 34
Gains: Aaron Trinder (Dewsbury Rams), Mark Leafa (Castleford), Josefa Davui (London Skolars), John Aranga (Canterbury NZ), Jason Poppi (Wynnum Manly), Brendon Gibb, Jaharal Yow Yeh, Andrew McCullough, Ben Hunt, Joshua McGuire (Broncos), Ryan Hansen, Jay Aston (Storm), Asher Elemani, Matt Gillett (Western Districts), Nathan Cleaver (Parramatta), Eddy Purcell (NZ Warriors), Jace Brown, Nathan Dureau (St George Illawarra), Kieran Turner, James Sharkie (Cronulla), Gideon Mzembe (Manly).
Losses: Marc Brentnall (overseas), Jacob Fauid (Burleigh), Ryan Barton (Ipswich), Blake Blackburn, Will Scanlan, Adam Kambouris (Wynnum Manly), Ryan Tongia (Souths Logan), Paul Ivan (Redcliffe), Jack Pearson (Sunshine Coast), Rodney Davies (Rugby).
The verdict: With new coach Kevin Carmichael steering the ship, the Devils’ pre-season form has been encouraging. Wins over Souths Logan, the Sunshine Coast and Easts Tigers have the Devils loaded with confidence leading into Round one. Norths have recruited wisely, with the likes of Mark Leafa and Jay Aston providing the Devils with a touch of class. The Devils are also likely to have the services of several young Broncos stars from last year’s talented Toyota Cup team. Given the talent at Carmichael’s disposal, it’s a safe bet the Devils will pick up more wins than last year and perhaps press for a top six berth.
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Devils Fire In Southern Zone
THE Norths Devils have made an immediate impact in the Cyril Connell and Mal Meninga Cups.
The Devils, who had the opening round bye, showed their class in the second round of Southern Conference fixtures with comfortable wins over Wynnum Manly in both Under 16 and Under 18 grades.
Mal Meninga Cup U18 – Southern Conference
Round 2 Results
Friday 27 February
NORTHS DEVILS 54 (Aaron Whitchurch 2, Bryce Hegarty 2, Lachlan Maranta, Mick Lucas, Brendon Sleep, Benn Malley, Korbin Sims, Daniel Faumuina, Mick Hoffman tries; Bryce Hegarty 4, Chris Binge goals) def WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 6 (Luke Keen try; Corey Davis goal)
EASTS TIGERS 26 (Jaymen Kupfer, Charlie Burchell, Ray Roberts, Ashley Little, Ashley Bull tries; Jack Joass 3 goals) def IPSWICH DIGGERS 24 (Lachlan Tuite, Raymond Te Awa, Callum Waldrum, Ashok Kumar tries; Sam Krueger 4 goals)
SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 18 (Kenny Hill, Ben Thorburn, Josh Papalii tries; Kenny Hill, Luke Atherden, Josh Papalii goals) def GOLD COAST VIKINGS 14 (Sam Prendergast, Turean Laureston, Jacob Nash tries; Sam Prendergast goal)
Saturday 28 February
SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 40 (Sam Hambly 2, Todd Hambly, Tennyson Elliott, Arthur Brown, Blake Harvey, Dave Sampson tries; Tyler Oxenham 6 goals) def REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 20 (Joshua Batalibasi, Shaun Hirst, Harley Aiono, Ethan Tweed tries; Jessie Anderson 2 goals)
TOOWOOMBA CLYDESDALES Bye
Cyril Connell Cup U16 – Southern Conference
Round 2 Results
Friday 27 February
NORTHS DEVILS 24 (Jerome Leedy, Jake Kelly, Anthony Gadd, Shaquille Blair, Elias Moli tries; BJ Burgess, Jason Levy goals) def WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 4 (Dylan Low try)
IPSWICH DIGGERS 30 (Jordan Tighe 2, Michael Kai, Rian Diffey, Manuel Grundy-Quay, Caleb Timu tries; Cyrus Leota 3 goals) def EASTS TIGERS 16 (Tim O’Donnell 2, Tom Ingersole tries; Jake Anderson 2 goals)
SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 44 (Anthony Milford 2, Garrett Nowland, Zach Lokeni, Sam Bateman, Scott Doyle, Mitchell Moore tries; Anthony Milford 7, Zach Lokeni goals) def GOLD COAST VIKINGS 12 (Mitcham Ardler, Eddie Brimelow tries; Mitcham Ardler 2 goals)
Saturday 28 February
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 22 (Jackson Clarke, Daniel Halpin, Tia Pule, Jack Langley, Airi Hunt tries; Jarrod Watson goal) def SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 18 (Cameron Savage 2, Matt Bowd, Nathan Perez tries; Patrick Templeman goal)
TOOWOOMBA CLYDESDALES Bye
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Intense Devils Make Statement
FORMER Melbourne Storm Under 20 star Jay Aston led the way for the new-look Norths Devils in their gritty 12-8 victory over Souths Logan at Emerson Park on Saturday.
Aston made regular inroads out of dummy-half as the Devils stunned the 2008 Queensland Cup premiers in slippery conditions.
Souths Logan coach Paul Bramley said the Devils would be a force in this year’s competition.
“Norths are certainly not Norths of 2008,” Bramley warned.
“They came out with a lot of intensity. If they can carry that intensity into each week, they’re going to be very hard to beat.
“They controlled the conditions very well … we didn’t.”
For Souths Logan, recruits Matt King and Nick Skinner showed touches of class on debut for the Magpies.
Bramley will today find out the extent of a shoulder injury to Junior Kangaroos winger Michael Brophy.
At Rockhampton’s Browne Park, the electric Broncos Under 20s team registered an impressive 34-6 win over the Central Comets.
“They played really well,” Comets CEO Scott Minto said of the Broncos.
“We probably couldn’t have played any worse. It’s a reality check for the boys.”
Recruits Aaron Summers and Alan Rothery impressed coached Wayne Barnett in their first hit-out for their new club.
Meanwhile, the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles recorded a 22-20 victory over the Easts Tigers at Langlands Park on Saturday in an encouraging sign for the Queensland Cup newcomers.
Former Wynnum Manly forward Luke Smith was among a host of strong performers for the Sea Eagles, who host the Norths Devils at Stockland Park this Saturday.
For Easts, props Chris Bamford and Mat Cameron made strong debuts. The Tigers will split their squad in two this weekend for trials against the Mackay Cutters and Ipswich Jets.
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Slater Wins Golden Boot
For the second successive year a former Norths Devils player has won the most prestigous individual prize in Rugby League, with Billy Slater winning the Golden Boot.
Slater, adds the Golden Boot to his World Cup Player of the Tournament and the RLIF's World Player of the Year accolades. Slater joined the Norths Devils as an 18 year old trialist, going on to star for the Melbourne Storm and representing his state and country.
Slater was named Fullback of the Year in the World Team of the Year, and was joined in team by three other former Norths Devils players. Israel Folau, Greg Inglis and last year's Golden Boot winner Cameron Smith.
Both Smith and Inglis were chosen in the Norths Devils Greatest Team earlier in the year, with Slater being selected in the list of Greatest 75 Devils.
The World Team selection is as follows:
Fullback: Billy Slater - Melbourne, Queensland and Australia
Winger: Manu Vatuvei - Warriors and New Zealand
Centre: Israel Folau - Melbourne, Queensland and Australia
Five-eighth: Greg Inglis - Melbourne, Queensland and Australia
Halfback: Scott Prince - Gold Coast, Queensland and Australia
Lock: Paul Gallen - Cronulla, NSW and Australia
Second rower: Gareth Ellis (tied vote) - Leeds and England
Anthony Laffranchi (tie) - Gold Coast, NSW and Australia
Front Rower: James Graham - St Helens and England
Hooker: Cameron Smith - Melbourne, Queensland and Australia
Source: www.qrl.com.au
2008 Queensland Cup Review
WITH the inclusion of two new teams and the rapid rise of a couple of perennial battlers, the 2008 Queensland Wizard Cup season ushered in a new era.
But above all else, this truly remarkable season will be remembered most for its unpredictability.
The upsets began in round one and the trend of unexpected results continued until the very end when the Souths Logan Magpies upset red-hot favourites the Ipswich Jets in a pulsating grand final.
The wounded Magpies entered the premiership decider without key personnel after a tough finals schedule which included a thrilling extra-time preliminary final win over newcomers the Northern Pride.
In contrast, the minor premiership-winning Jets had sailed into just their second Queensland Cup grand final with a minimum of fuss.
With popular coach Kevin Walters leading his home town team into one more battle before venturing overseas, the Jets had it all to play for.
Additionally, the Jets had the luxury of playing the match in front of a parochial “home” crowd at the North Ipswich Reserve after the Ipswich City Council successfully applied to host the match when Suncorp Stadium was made unavailable.
But Walters was denied a fairytale finish to his two-year coaching tenure with Ipswich after the gritty Magpies outplayed the Jets on their way to an amazing 24-18 win.
The Magpies silenced a large contingent of Ipswich fans in the 6000-strong crowd after racing to an 18-0 lead by half-time.
The Jets stormed back into the contest to level the score at 18-18 and the match appeared to be headed for extra time.
That was until Alby Talipeau stepped in. Talipeau, who received the Duncan Hall Medal for the Best and Fairest player post-game, caught the Ipswich defence napping with a clever play out of dummy half to send Kyle Lodge on his way to the try-line for the stunning match-winner in the final minute.
A sea of black and white descended over the North Ipswich Reserve as passionate Magpies fans celebrated the club’s first Queensland Cup premiership.
In a remarkable achievement, the Magpies had gone from finishing second last in the five previous campaigns to holding aloft the prized silverware as well as being Club Champions for the 2008 season.
The Magpies’ new partnership with the Canberra Raiders, along with the outstanding work of first-year coach Paul Bramley and his dedicated support team, played key roles in the club’s revival.
Although bitterly disappointed with the loss, the Jets can take many positives out of a strong campaign.
The two newcomers to the Queensland Wizard Cup – the Northern Pride and Mackay Cutters – could also be happy with their debut seasons.
The ultra-professional Pride set the early pace in the competition and came within a whisker of qualifying for the grand final.
The Cutters weren’t quite as successful, but they did snare seven wins and a draw to finish the season in a creditable ninth spot.
Both the Cutters and Pride played in front of bumper home crowds, further extending the Queensland Wizard Cup’s reach.
With the likely inclusion of the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles next year, that statewide exposure will only increase in 2009.
This year’s Queensland Wizard Cup Competition was again supported by the highly-successful FOGS Cup and FOGS Colts Challenge.
The FOGS Cup produced an epic final, with an Easts penalty goal in extra-time handing the Tigers a 12-10 grand final victory over Wynnum Manly.
The Western Districts Panthers were the FOGS Colts premiers after beating the Aspley Devils 30-16.
The FOGS Competitions, and in particular the Queensland Wizard Cup, received outstanding media coverage from local Quest and APN Newspapers.
The QRL extends its thanks to all journalists and media organisations for their support.
The ABC’s first-class television coverage of the match of the round was also a shining light throughout the 2008 season.
A healthy audience tuned into the weekly coverage and the QRL would like to acknowledge the fine work of the ABC.
The QRL would also like to acknowledge the contribution from Wizard Home Loans.
Wizard’s strong support has allowed the Queensland Wizard Cup to maintain its widely-acclaimed standing as the second best Competition in Australia.
Source: www.qrl.com.au
New Look For Young Norths Devils
THE Norths Devils will field a new-look team next season as they attempt to climb out of the Queensland Cup wilderness.
The Devils endured a nightmare season in 2008, winning just two matches on their way to collecting the wooden-spoon.
But the slate has been wiped clean, with the majority of last season’s squad having moved on in the off-season.
Two of the biggest losses will be popular clubman Marc Brentnall and big prop Will Scanlan (pictured).
Brentnall is heading overseas, while Scanlan has agreed to terms with the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
Despite the setbacks, Norths CEO Mark Murray is quietly confident the Devils can secure better on-field results in 2009.
The Devils are likely to have the services of some of the Broncos’ best young talent. The Nundah-based club has also signed a host of players fresh from the Toyota Cup (Under 20s).
Eddy Purcell (NZ Warriors), Jace Brown, Nathan Dureau (St George Illawarra), Kieran Turner, James Sharkie (Cronulla), Blayne Harling (NQ Cowboys), Brendon Gibb (Broncos) and Jay Aston (Storm) are among the new faces.
Kevin Carmichael will coach the Devils’ Queensland Cup side in 2008. He replaces Mark Gee.
Gains: Blayne Harling (NQ Cowboys), Brendon Gibb (Broncos), Ryan Hansen, Jay Aston (Storm), Asher Elemani, Matt Gillett (Western Districts), Nathan Cleaver (Parramatta), Eddy Purcell (NZ Warriors), Jace Brown, Nathan Dureau (St George Illawarra), Kieran Turner, James Sharkie (Cronulla).
Losses: Marc Brentnall (overseas), Jacob Fauid (Burleigh), Ryan Barton (Ipswich), Blake Blackburn, Will Scanlan (Wynnum Manly), Ryan Tongia (Souths Logan), Paul Ivan (Redcliffe), Jack Pearson (Sunshine Coast), Rodney Davies (Rugby).
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Qld Cup Player Gains And Losses
THE 12 Queensland Cup clubs have released their major signings for the new season.
CENTRAL COMETS
Gains: Ian Webster, Aaron Summers (Celtic Crusaders), Alan Rothery (Canberra Raiders), Gerard Parle (Redcliffe), Nathan Barraclough (NQ Cowboys).
Losses: Marty Hatfield (Redcliffe), Mitch Zornig (NQ Cowboys), Shanan Wood (Sydney).
BURLEIGH BEARS
Gains: Tanu Wulf, Daniel Isaac, Martin Paulson (Newcastle Knights), Chris Enahoro, Matthew Pow, Andre Amato, Dennis Gordon (Tweed Heads), Jacob Fauid (Norths Devils), Joel Rapana, Matt Nuttall (Titans), Kiel Burton.
Losses: Adam Hutchison, Aseri Laing, Trent Purdon (retired), John Flint (Southport), Blake Morrison, Josh Blatch, Murray Emmerson (France), Liam Capewell, Jeremy Golf (Ipswich).
IPSWICH JETS
Gains: Matt Sharp, Tyne Owen, Jacob Ling (Newcastle Knights), Tamati Talanoa, Lorenzo Maafu, Chris Veafaga (Canterbury Bulldogs), Chris Afamasaga (Northern Pride), Tyson Muscat (Penrith), Troy Grace (Macksville Bulldogs), Daniel Bligh (Tweed Heads), Ryan Barton (Norths Devils), Liam Capewell, Jeremy Golf (Burleigh), Tyson Lofipo (Tweed Heads), Farran Willett (Northern Pride).
Losses: Donald Malone (NQ Cowboys), Josh Lewis (Balmain), Trevor Exton (Sheffield), Kurtis Lingwoodock (Broncos), Scott Alo, Steven West (Easts), Jason Bulgarelli (retired), Aaron Sweeney (Broncos).
EASTS TIGERS
Gains: Ryan Cullen (Redcliffe), Rickie Dodd (Ormeau), Steven West (Ipswich), Scott Alo (Ipswich), Alby Talipeau, Daniel Bell (Souths Logan), Mark Offerdahl, Junior Ahio (Manly).
Losses: Dane Campbell (Redcliffe), Scott Sipple, Pat Gardner, Cameron Durnford, Damian Petrie (retired).
WYNNUM MANLY
Gains: David Georgiou (Penrith), Will Scanlan, Blake Blackburn, Adam Kambouris (Norths Devils), Will Raston (Canberra), Geno Costin (Oldham), Lachlan Morgan (Redcliffe), Brett Thomas (Tweed Heads), Ben Green (Newtown), Alex Glenn, Mitchell Dodds, Gerard Beale (Broncos).
Losses: Chris McQueen (South Sydney), Luke Smith, Cameron Joyce (Sunshine Coast), Kerry Smith, Dallas McIlwain, Steve Irwin Ben Czislowski (retired), Denny Lambert (Souths Logan), Kieran Whalley (Souths Logan).
MACKAY CUTTERS
Gains: Jardine Bobongie (Dragons), Roy Baira (Townsville), Chance Bunce (Southern Sydney), Darren Griffiths (Charters Towers), Tom Parker (Mackay Wests), Jerome Iakimo (Mackay Souths), Matt Griffin (Mackay Brothers), Kaylib Gray (Ipswich Jets), Dan Hill (Proserpine), Dane Vogel (Mackay Norths), Craig Bowering (Barcaldine), Quentin Mitchell (Townsville), Grant Moore (Western Districts), Dylan Sadd (Mackay Norths), Tony Beaumont (Mackay Brothers).
Losses: Shane Muspratt (retired), Jamie McDonald (retired), Cody Norton (Sunshine Coast), Kerrod Toby (work).
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS
Gains: Trent Clayton (Toulouse), Paul Ivan (Norths), James Nightingale (Penrith), Peter Faletipu (Innisfail), Kris Kahler (Titans), Marty Hatfield (Comets), Allan Heldsinger (Roosters), Chris Borgese (Salford), Dane Campbell (Easts), Chris Farrell (Tweed Heads), Matt Handcock (Broncos), Troy Giess (Western Districts), Josh Hoffman (Broncos), Michael Spence (Broncos), Adam Heathwood (Dayboro), Zac Webber (Western Districts), Alwyn Simpson (year off).
Losses: Troy Lindsay, Craig Heslop, Nathan Tutt, Mark Shipway, Marty Turner, Jamie Tomlinson (retired), Shane Perry (Catalans), Mick Roberts (Villenueve), Nick Walker (Dalby Diehards), Nick Emmett (St George Illawarra), Daniel Green (Western Districts), Ryan Cullen (Easts), Lachlan Morgan (Wynnum Manly), Gerard Parle (Comets).
SOUTHS LOGAN
Gains: Andrew Edwards, Nick Skinner, Michael Brophy, Matt Smith, James Stuart, Zac Russ (Canberra Raiders), Denny Lambert, Kieran Whalley (Wynnum Manly), Matt King (Tweed Heads), Ryan Tongia (Norths).
Losses: Alby Talipeau, Daniel Bell (Easts), Kyle Lodge (Newtown Jets), Quentin Laulu-Togagae (Sheffield Eagles), McKanah Gibson (year off).
NORTHERN PRIDE
Gains: Rod Jensen (Huddersfield), Germaine Paulson (South Sydney), Steve Kim (Kangaroos), Tom Humble, Scott Idec, Chris Riesen, Ben Spina (NQ Cowboys).
Losses: Jackson Nicolau (Titans), Stephen Sheppard (Mareeba), Farran Willett (Ipswich).
SUNSHINE COAST
Gains: Cameron Joyce, Luke Smith (Wynnum Manly), Jack Pearson (Norths), Mark Page, Jake Lingard (Manly), Michael Chapman (Rugby), Cody Norton (Mackay), Anthony Zipf (Noosa), Sam McGregor (Noosa), Paul Cohen (Kawana).
Losses: Rohan Molineux (retired), Danny Cross (Parramatta).
TWEED HEADS
Gains: Bodene Thompson, Brock Hunter, Kingi Akau Ola, David Moore, Jared McCarthy, Ryan Simpkins, Richard Barrett, Geoff Holcombe (Titans 20s).
Losses: Roy Friend (Retired), Matt King (Souths Logan), Chris Farrell (Redcliffe), Chris Enahoro, Matthew Pow, Andre Amato, Dennis Gordon (Burleigh), Tyson Lofipo, Daniel Bligh (Ipswich), Brett Thomas (Wynnum Manly).
NORTHS DEVILS
Gains: Blayne Harling (NQ Cowboys), Brendon Gibb (Broncos), Ryan Hansen, Jay Aston (Storm), Asher Elemani, Matt Gillett (Western Districts), Nathan Cleaver (Parramatta), Eddy Purcell (NZ Warriors), Jace Brown, Nathan Dureau (St George Illawarra), Kieran Turner, James Sharkie (Cronulla).
Losses: Marc Brentnall (overseas), Jacob Fauid (Burleigh), Ryan Barton (Ipswich), Blake Blackburn, Will Scanlan, Adam Kambouris (Wynnum Manly), Ryan Tongia (Souths Logan), Paul Ivan (Redcliffe), Jack Pearson (Sunshine Coast), Rodney Davies (Rugby).
November 26 - 2008
Source: www.qrl.com.au
Norths Devils Greatest Team
The Norths Devils announced their Greatest Team at a Gala Dinner held at Norths Leagues & Services Club on the 16th of August.
The Team was announced by Life Member and Chairman of the Selection Committee Kevin Brasch, along with Rupert McCall.
1. Harry Bates
Premiership Player - 1960, 1961, 1962 and 1963
2. Fonda Metassa
Queensland, Premiership Player - 1959, 1962, 1963,1964 and 1969, 177 1st Grade Games
3. Jack Reardon
Australia, Kangaroos Vice Captain, NSW - 1934, Queensland - 1936 to 1941, QLD Captain - 1939, Premiership Player - 1938 and 1940, Premiership Captain - 1938
4. Henry Hegarty
Premiership Player - 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964 and 1966, Player of the Year - 1962 and 1966
5. Joe Kilroy
Queensland, Premiership Player - 1980
6. Bill Pearson
Queensland - 1957 to 1958, Premiership Player - 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, and 1963, Premiership Captain - 1960, 1961, 1962, and 1963, Player of the Year - 1959 and 1960
7. Jack Stapleton
Foundation Player, Premiership Player - 1934, 1938 and 1940, Queensland, Brisbane (Played 53 Bulimba Cup Games), 189 1st Grade and over 300 Club Games
8. Vic Rudd
Queensland, Premiership Player - 1934, 1938 and 1940
9. Cameron Smith
2007 Golden Boot (World Player of the Year 2007), Australian Captain, Queensland Captain, Player of the Year – 2002, NRL Premiership
10. Lloyd Weier
Australia - 1965, Queensland - 1962, Premiership Player - 1960, 1961, 1962 and 1963
11. Trevor Gillmeister
Australia, Queensland Captain, NRL Premierships
12. Mark Graham
New Zealand Player of the Century, New Zealand Captain, Premiership Player - 1980
13. Edward “Babe” Collins
Australia, Queensland Captain - 1940 to 1941, Premiership Player - 1934, 1938 and 1940, Premiership Captain - 1940, Scored 76 tries in 1939 and 1940
14. Mark Murray
Australia, Queensland, Premiership Captain - 1980, Premiership Coach - 1998
15. Greg Inglis
Australia, QLD, Courier Mail Best & Fairest – 2005, Clive Churchill Medallist – 2007, NRL Premiership
16. Greg Conescu
Australia, Queensland, Premiership Player - 1980
17. Ian Massie
Queensland - 1968 to 1970, Premiership Player - 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963 and 1969, Player of the Year - 1961
Coach: Bob Bax
Premiership Coach - 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1966 and 1969, Queensland Coach - 1971 to 1973, Club President, Life Member
Manager: Albert Bishop
Team Manager - Australia, Foundation Member, President, Life Member
Source: www.northsdevils.com
Rupert McCall Poem
THE GHOSTS OF BISHOP PARK
It was silent and dark when a blue and gold spark
Caught the eye of a groundsman one night
The hour was late, he was locking the gate
And it gave him a fair dinkum fright
For the feeling condensed in a presence he sensed
Like a spirit or ghost that he knew
And the smell of a pie was alive in the sky
With a good dose of Dencorub too
The flags on the posts came alive with the ghosts
And the turf was aglow with the spell
And then stepping forth from a shed in the north
Came the men that he knew oh so well!
The team from his dream in the fog and the steam
In the light of the moon, stood abreast
They were different in style still they carried one smile
And a Devilish brand on their chest
They were hard as old nails with a wind in their sails
That rekindled the brilliance they shared
But their chemistry stirred when a whistle was heard
And the roar of a crowd fairly blared!
Jack Stapleton caught and he fed his support
There was class in the way that he did
With a thump and a thud it was big Victor Rudd
In the brunt of a barnstorming skid
Good metres were found before going to ground
Then continued the regime of fear
The next ten ton truck smashing one off the ruck
Was the kid from Kilkivan Lloyd Weier!
His courage immense as he drew the defence
Then off-loaded a gem of a seed
To the mountain Mark Graham preparing to slay em!
The Kiwi colossus at speed
The best of his nation with pure inspiration
And that was the way that it went
The skilful incisions and brutal collisions
No place for the soft of intent
More magic than myth was the wiz Cameron Smith
A true revelation at nine
As with talent uncharted, he scooped and he darted
Then beautifully kicked down the line
And monstered the winger – his hit a humdinger!
His back-rowers followed in suit
They hunted in packs namely Babe and The Axe
Like assassins with bad guys to shoot
Defenders at random – they picked off in tandem
Both mighty men in maroon
Collins from Grammars with try-scoring glamours
And Gilly with shoulders of stone
Another caboose! and the ball jolted loose
The gentleman halfback was there
And Stapleton passed with an action so fast
That the great coach stood up in his chair!
From Bob Bax’s flock - Billy Pearson took stock
With a sidestep, the show and the go!
And as you’ve assumed, Henry Hegarty loomed
With the whole town of Cherbourg in tow!
Pearson to Hegas belief hardly beggars
The fullback was chiming inside
From the bloodline of Bates Harry flew from the gates!
Then he looked for his wingman out wide
And have a guess who? With his comb in his shoe
And a golden persuasion to guide him!
With his foot on the gasser young Fonda Metassa
The ambulance revved up beside him!
Ah Fonda was flying! The cover complying
He centred a kick on the arc
The crowd fever grew and Albert rose too
Neath the sign that proclaimed ‘Bishop Park’!
Doug Duncan as well – he was cheering like hell
As Reardon was blessed with the bounce!
“Supremely exciting!” the journos were writing
The lightning Lismorian pounced!
But the last tackler came from the left of the frame
And he threatened to spoil the whole show
So Jack looked to the right and behold! What a sight!
The moustaka of old Smokin Joe!
Giddy up matey! Just like Nineteen Eighty
The Harley was now in full cry
With no one to match him! They won’t bloody catch him!
Joe Kilroy! You beaut! Scored the try!
It was brilliantly raw but the crowd wanted more
So then Baxie came good with some changes
There was nothing too sassy from big Ian Massie
For hard work and he were no strangers
And Turtle ran out for a cameo bout
He was brave and as busy as ever
And in linking with Muppet decided to up it!
For one final thrilling endeavour
Murray at half went the blind for a laugh
He sliced his way through them with cheek
The clock counted down there in old Banyo town
His pass found a genuine freak
‘Greg Inglis Unplugged’ – three defenders were mugged!
With a fend then he sprinted away!
And in crossing the line it was hard to define
But the colours all faded to grey?
The atmosphere cleared…the crowd disappeared
And the fog and the darkness returned
Just the groundsman alone with the wind that had blown
Though the pride of his vision still burned…
And that’s what remains in the rugby league veins
Of the men who have answered the call
Every player that played – every coach through the grade
Every loyal supporter and all
From the Oxenham days to the modern day gaze
That exists without hint of a failure
In a young Devils’ eye – to be scoring that try
For Norths, Queensland…maybe Australia
And sometimes at night when the feeling is right
And the light of the moon shimmers forth
Well if you’re around on that most sacred ground
You might see a spark in the north
For the story is true of the blue, gold and blue
When those wonderful ghosts reappear
On a glorious tide and with Devilish pride
You too will stand up and cheer!
Rupert McCall 2008
Source: www.northsdevils.com
Norths Devils 7 Legends
The Norths Devils announced the inaugural seven Devils Legends at a Gala Dinner held at Norths Leagues & Services Club on the 16th of August.
The 7 Legends of the Norths Devils announced are those individuals whose dedication to the Club epitomise the spirit of the Devils, both on and off the field. They are true Legends and their contributions will long be remembered at this great Club.
The 7 Legends are:
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Bill Pearson
-
Jack Stapleton
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Doug Duncan
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Edward “Babe” Collins
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Albert Bishop
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Jack Reardon
-
Bob Bax
It is the intention to add other Norths Devils players, coaches and officials to this group in the future, and to mark their contribution at Bishop Park.
Source: www.northsdevils.com
Greatest 75 Devils
The Norths Devils announced their Greatest 75 Devils at a Gala Dinner held at Norths Leagues & Services Club on the 16th of August.
The Greatest 75 include players, coaches, adminastrators, volunteers and supporters who's contributions have established and continued to build the Norths Devils club over it's first 75 years.
David Adams
Jimmy Adams
Vic Armbruster
Geoff Bagnall
Harry Bates
Jack Bates
John Bates
Bob Bax
Steven Bell
Tommy Bishop
Albert Bishop
Kevin Brasch
Neville Broadfoot
Darryl Brohman
John Brown
Bill Burrup
Steve Calder
Kevin Carmichael
Gordon Carneige
Ray Cattanach
Bill Champion
Dave Christison
Clive Churchill
Edward "Babe" Collins
Greg Conescu
Bobby Cook
Brian Cook
R Cooper
Cooper Cronk
Neville Draper
Doug Duncan
Bob Duncan
Peter Fraser
Les Geeves
Nick Geiger
Trevor Gillmeister
Mark Graham
Peter Hall
Don Hamilton
Jim Hannam
Glen Harrison
Henry Hegarty
Ross Henrick
Lee Hutchinson
Greg Inglis
Dallas Johnson
Reg Kay
Joe Kilroy
Stewie Lane
Peter Lobegeiger
George Lockie
Graham Lowe
Bluey Martin
Ian Massie
Paul McCabe
Allan McLean
Barry McTaggart
Hugh Melrose
Fonda Metassa
Mark Murray
Bill Norris
Bill Pearson
Hillary Pocock
Jack Reardon
Vic Rudd
Don Simpson
Billy Slater
Cameron Smith
Jack Stapleton
Ron Stewart
Clarrie Thomas
Ellice Thomas
Elwyn Walters
Steve Walters
Lloyd Weier
Source: www.northsdevils.com
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