The Sunshine Coast continued their late season surge by securing their first finals berth since 2010 with a thrilling 30-28 win over Wynnum Manly Seagulls in Round 24.
Trailing 10-22 at halftime, the Falcons scored four tries to one in the second half to record a famous win.
Richie Kennar scored a double while Jake Turpin was named man of the match.
The youngster came off the bench in the first half and was a driving force behind the comeback.
“He (Turpin) came on in the 30-minute mark and he actually turned the game with his defence,” Falcons coach Craig Ingebrigtsen said.
“His line speed and his intent was really good, for a young man to really lift the group like that was exceptional.”
Turpin was not alone, with several Storm team-mates helping prove the difference at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
“Mark Nicholls was really, really good,” Ingebrigtsen said.
“He has been outstanding for the last month, I can’t speak highly enough of Mark when he comes up here. What he does with the group, I am just really proud of him.
“His attitude towards this team making the finals is paramount to where we go.
“Curtis Scott was really good, his 60 metre break lead to one of Richie Kennar’s tries so it was really good from Curtis.”
The Falcons now sit in fifth spot on the Intrust Super Cup ladder and are guaranteed a finals berth ahead of their tough trip to face the PNG Hunters this weekend.
The loss means the Wynnum Manly Seagulls have fallen just short of featuring in this year’s finals after producing a late-season charge following a poor start to the season.
See the full scoring details and final team line-ups for this game via QRL Live
SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 30 (Ryley Jacks 2, Richie Kennar 2, Callum Klein, Troy Giess tries; Joe Stimson 3 goals) def WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 28 (Gregory Eden 2, Mitchell Cronin, Mitchell Buckett, Aaron Booth tries; Patrick Templeman 4 goals) at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
