A full weekend preview of the Round 10 Hastings Deering Colts matches.
Tweed Heads Seagulls v Ipswich Jets at Piggabeen Sports Complex on Saturday, May 12 – 12pm
In a battle between two of the lower placed teams in the competition, the match will still prove pivotal for both sides, with Ipswich having their best opportunity yet to get their first win of the season. They will be fresh off the bye and will have an injection of talent from the Mal Meninga Cup squad. The Jets will once again look to their strike fullback Denzel Burns for inspiration in attack whilst the addition of Meninga Cup captain Mike Sau will add punch off the bench. Their opponents Tweed Heads will see this game as a crucial in building momentum heading into the second half of the season. After a strong victory against the Mustangs, the Seagulls will be rejuvenated from the bye and will look to put on a show in front of their home crowd. This game will be an excellent opportunity for Tweed Heads to start a winning run and they will be hopeful of returning to the form that saw them claimed the prized scalp of competition heavyweights Burleigh earlier in the season.
Redcliffe Dolphins v Northern Pride at Dolphin Stadium on Saturday, May 12 – 3pm
Competition leaders Northern Pride will travel to Redcliffe to take on an interesting Dolphins side who are proving hard to predict. The Pride own the mantle of being the only undefeated side in the competition and their dominance has been built off steely defence, having only conceded 80 points so far this season. Their last-start victory over title contenders Wynnum solidified their claims to premiership favouritism and led by halfback Jack Campagnolo, the Pride will be looking to repeat the dose this weekend. Meanwhile, the Dolphins have been hard to analyse, with their indifferent form highlighted by their inability to string wins together. Whilst they own a win over competition contenders Victoria, the Dolphins have been struggling to convert their competitiveness in games into victories as they sit in the bottom half of the table. Redcliffe captain Tyson Smoothy has been ever-reliable in the middle of the field and the Dolphins will need him to lead by example if they are any chance of causing an upset in front of their home fans.
Western Mustangs v Mackay Cutters at Gold Park on Saturday, May 12 – 3pm
The Mustangs host a luckless Mackay side who will be desperate to arrest their string of rough results. Mackay sit second last on the ladder, but their position isn’t reflective of performances. The Cutters have been in a number of tight losses that could have gone either way and their recent loss against the Devils was the story of their season with Mackay leading at halftime before eventually losing 36-20. They will benefit by a strong showing from the club’s Mal Meninga Cup side and will look to players like Tom Irelandes to inject some much-needed enthusiasm heading into the back half of the year. Meanwhile, the Mustangs are desperate to secure a victory in front of their home crowd after some disappointing results. They have been competitive, but they have lacked the polish to convert their efforts into victories. Like their opponents, the Mustangs will be aided by the injection of impressive Mal Meninga players. Their recent loss to Tweed was reflective of a much-improved side. Centre Errol Simpson and halfback Zac Butler were standouts in that game and the Mustangs will be looking to them to spearhead their attack.
Round 9 Highlights: U20 Hastings Deering Colts
Wynnum Manly Seagulls v Victoria Thunderbolts at BMD Kougari Oval on Sunday, May 13 – 11.45am
The home side come into the clash with two straight losses, including to the unbeaten Pride. Despite looking in control at 18-10 at halftime, the Seagulls failed to take the opportunity to take two points away from Barlow Park as ill-discipline and ball control cost them at crucial stages to fall 28-24. Recruit Shannon Gardiner was again amongst the Seagulls best as he continued his stellar start to the season, featuring heavily on the scoresheet. The five-eighth currently sits third in the competition’s leading point scorers list. Meanwhile, the Thunderbolts will be hopeful the bye is the key to addressing their slide down the ladder. With consecutive losses appearing to be a theme for both teams, Victoria come into the clash with three straight defeats to their name albeit against leading contenders. The Thunderbolts have struggled to rediscover the form that had them billed as premiership favourites after four straight victories to open the season. Regardless of their recent form, the Victorian side still oozes class with players like Cooper Johns, Iliesa Ratuva and Tino Faasuamaleaui headlining a star-studded side. Johns will be a beneficiary of his time spent in the Intrust Super Cup in recent weeks and he will look to apply this experience to guide his side.
