Tweed pass 50 in big win against Tigers

Five-eighth Lindon McGrady converted all of Tweed’s nine tries, three from right on the touchline, and added a try of his own for a career-best 22 points as the Seagulls came from behind for the seventh time in eight games this season.

It was the first half-century posted by the Seagulls since a 52-24 win against the Cutters in Mackay in the corresponding eighth round in 2018, with a Tweed side that boasted NRL heavyweights Kane Elgey, AJ Brimson and Moeaki Fotuaika, and the biggest margin since the 50-4 slaughter of Burleigh Bears in the Rivalry Round clash of 2015.

However, it took 23 minutes for Tweed make an imprint on the scoreboard, while the Tigers were down to 12 men with Mitch Frei in the sin bin for a high tackle, after Brisbane had gone to a 6-0 lead after nine minutes with a converted try to fullback Michael Purcell.

It was a tough, even encounter for the first 20 minutes before McGrady opened the scoring with one of several long-range Tweed tries. Lindon backed up to take an inside pass from cousin Brayden McGrady after centre Lee Turner had broken free.

That started a scoring spree that saw the Seagulls score nine tries in 44 minutes to demoralise the Tigers who were missing some key players, but still fielded an experienced Cup side.

Skipper Lamar Liolevave, one of Tweed’s unsung heroes this season with his tough carries and efficient defence on the left edge, said it wasn’t the points barrage that impressed him most about the victory, but the consistency in applying pressure over 80 minutes, something Tweed have struggled to do this season despite only one defeat in eight games.

“The boys were able to keep the pressure on them non-stop and the score showed that,” said the Fijian international. “That was the most pleasing thing for me.

“We started a bit slow again, as we have been in most games this season, but we struck back quicker than usual and didn’t let go.

“They were missing a few players, but the belief in the team is building, and to post a big score like that will be good for our confidence.

"We have Norths Devils, who are above us on the ladder, next round so that will be the real indication of where we’re at.”

Coach Ben Woolf agreed that it wasn’t the exhibition of try-scoring that was the most important component, but the defensive effort of the forwards and the team’s step forward in controlling the ball and constructively building pressure in an effort that mirrored the 28-16 Round 5 win against Redcliffe.

“We know we have plenty of strike out wide but the forwards deserved the most credit today in getting on top after a physical first 20 and going on with the job.”

Fullback Jayden Campbell again impressed with some brilliant touches from fullback in front of Titans coach Justin Holbrook and his number one No. 1 AJ Brimson. He scored Tweed’s second try in the 23rd minute after stepping around three defenders and was prominent in three others.

Treymain Spry, who played five NRL games for the Titans last season, picked up two tries while Darius Farmer made his mark, scoring a try and pulling off the hit of the day with a brutal head-on tackle on Tigers halfback and skipper Darren Nicholls in the 55th minute.

The ball was coughed up because of the impact, with Joe Vuna scooping it up and running away before sending an overhead pass to the supporting Spry who ran under the posts. Farmer was later sin-binned for a high tackle.

Tweed scored some polished tries after spreading the ball on the back of good downfield headway, with half Toby Sexton and Lindon McGrady directing play well in the team’s most dominant performance of the season.

McGrady took his points tally to 425 points since joining the club in 2017 and needs only eight more to pass James Wood’s 432 to become the third highest scorer for the club in Queensland Cup competition – behind Brad Davis with 1066 and Nathaneal Barnes with 514.

The Seagulls are unbeaten in their past five games this season and have won 12 and drawn one of the past 16 matches since 2019. They take on the Devils in two weeks after a well-earned rest next weekend in the second week of the split round.

Both teams have next weekend off as Week 2 of Round 8's BHP Indigenous Round takes place.  

Main image: Dylan Parker Photography