Round 19 preview: Turn to Me Round returns

Wynnum Manly Seagulls v Sunshine Coast Falcons
Head-to-head: Wynnum Manly Seagulls 12, Sunshine Coast 10
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #WYNvSCF
Broadcast: This game is broadcast on Kayo Freebies

• This weekend will be a chance for redemption for the Sunshine Coast Falcons who went down to Wynnum Manly Seagulls 38-24 in Round 7.
• This win was against the grain for Wynnum Manly, who had previously lost the last nine games against Sunshine Coast.
• Wynnum Manly have been strong at home and have won their past five, and 10 of their past 11, games at BMD Kougari Oval. 
• In contrast, however, their form overall has slipped of late following their unstoppable start to the season with the side having lost their past three and four out of their past five games.
• The Sunshine Coast have found form in their most recent games and have won three of their past four away games. They also have strong recent form against the Seagulls, winning the last four matches played against them at BMD Kougari Oval.
• In team news, the Falcons have made changes in the lead-up to the match on Saturday, with the NRL contingent ruled out due to the game’s biosecurity protocols, meaning young gun Sam Wright returns to the side in the halves.

Ipswich Jets v Burleigh Bears
Head-to-head: Burleigh Bears 27, Ipswich Jets 15, drawn 2
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #JETSvBEARS

• The Jets return home to North Ipswich Reserve this weekend to host a strong Burleigh Bears outfit who will be looking to play some tough games as the finals approach.
• The last time these two sides met in Round 7 this season, the Bears proved too classy, posting a 34-12 win at Pizzey Park, with Hayden Schwass crossing for a double.
• The Bears have a dominant record against their opponents and have won the past five, and 10 of the last 11, games between these two sides.
• Burleigh have also won the past two, and five of the past six, games between these two sides at North Ipswich Reserve. To compound that for the home side, the Jets have lost six of their past seven matches at the venue.
• The 46-0 loss the Jets suffered in their last match against the Sunshine Coast Falcons was the first time in Cup history that Ipswich were held scoreless at home. It was also only the fourth time they had been held scoreless overall and the players will be working hard to erase that result.
• While the Bears have won their past four games, there is some hope for the Jets, with the visitors having lost four of their past five away matches.
• A good match up to watch out for on the field this weekend will be against two competition veterans and the opposing team captains, with props Luke Page and Nat Neale no doubt out to make their mark in the match.

Northern Pride v Tweed Seagulls
Head-to-head: Tweed 13, Northern Pride 12, drawn 2
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #PRIDEvTWE

• There’s plenty for both teams to play for this weekend with the finals fast approaching, with the Northern Pride currently clinging to eighth place and the Seagulls more comfortable in fifth.
• One of the most even match-ups in the competition, Tweed have a slim head-to-head advantage; but when the two teams met earlier this year, it was an 18-18 draw at Piggabeen Sports Complex.
• In more recent contests, the Seagulls have won four of the past six games played between these two sides, with two drawn overall.
• adding to the closeness of their rivalry, seven of the past eight games between these two sides have been decided by six points or less.
• This weekend, Tweed are aiming for their 200th Cup win in their 404th game. The club also have 14 draws and 140 losses in the competition.
• The hosting Pride have won three of their last four games at Barlow Park, while the Seagulls have lost their last two away games.
• The Seagulls will be without several NSW-based players, in particular key utility back and goalkicker Lindon McGrady, who is unable to compete while the NSW-Queensland border is closed. Jack Mackin will play fullback after missing much of this season with a knee injury after starring for Runaway Bay during their premiership-winning 2020 season.

Mackay Cutters v Townsville Blackhawks
Head-to-head: Townsville Blackhawks 9, Mackay Cutters 1, drawn 1
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #MCvTSVB

• Mackay will be looking to make amends for their tight 18-24 Round 7 loss against the Blackhawks this weekend when they host this northern derby.
• Mackay’s recent home record against the Blackhawks will need to be addressed, with Townsville having won four of the five games played between these two sides in Mackay. There has been one drawn result.
• Overall at home, Mackay's win in their last home game against the Capras in Round 13 was their first in 13 games at BB Print Stadium.
• Townsville, despite sitting in sixth position on the ladder, are ranked fourth in attack and third in defence.
• Halfback Shaun Nona requires only five goals to bring up 100 for Townsville.
• The Cutters head into this game off the back of a strong come-from-behind win against PNG Hunters, with their 40 points scored the most they have ever produced against the Hunters. It was also the first time they have scored 40 points in a game since Round 3, 2019 against Central.

Redcliffe Dolphins v Brisbane Tigers
Head-to-head: Redcliffe Dolphins 33, Tigers 18, drawn 1
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #PHINSvTIGES

• It was a 14-12 nail biter way when these two sides last met way back in Round 7 when Redcliffe got the chocolates against the Tigers.
• Redcliffe are now on a roll, winning their last three games. They have also won four out of the last five against the Tigers and on top of that, have claimed nine out of the last 10 home games.
• Redcliffe, despite being in fourth place, are sitting eighth in both attack and defence.
• Tigers on the other hand, are on their worst ever losing run (eight in a row) and have lost their last four away games.
• Tigers’ fullback Brayden Torpy needs just three more points to bring up 200 points for the Tigers. Torpy also only needs three goals to bring up 100 goals in Cup football.
• Tigers halfback Darren Nicholls is also approaching a milestone and requires four points to bring up 400 in the Cup.

PNG Hunters v Souths Logan Magpies
Head-to-head: PNG Hunters 12, Souths Logan 2
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #PNGvSLM
Broadcast: Intrust Super Sundays via Kayo Freebies, 9Now, QRL.com.au, Intrust Super Cup app and Intrust Super Cup Facebook

• When these two sidles last met in Round 7, it was a 48-14 win to the Magpies at Davies Park, with Kobe Hetherington, Cory Paix, Tesi Niu and Albert Kelly amongst the try scorers.
• The Magpies will be without their Brisbane Broncos contingent but will still field a strong team against a Hunters side who will welcome back key forwards Samuel Yegip and Epel Kapinias back from injury. 2
• In other team news, Gilmo Paul will become yet another Hunter to make his Intrust Super Cup debut in 2021. The 22-year-old premiership-winning Hela Wigmen centre joined the squad in May and has been playing in the Gold Coast league.
• One of the players to watch for the Magpies in young star Ezra Mam, who in his last game scored 26 points against Tweed Seagulls, equalling club’s single game Cup points record set by Michael Picker against Sunshine Coast in 2011.
• Being played ay Bycroft Oval this weekend, the Hunters have lost their past three games at Runaway Bay home base.

Norths Devils v Central Queensland Capras
Head-to-head: Norths Devils 34, Central Queensland Capras 10, drawn 2
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #DEVILSvCQC

• Round 7 had the Devils jump out to a 24-16 win against Central Queensland and the top-of-the-table team are primed to register their second win against them this season.
• Norths have won their past 16 games against Central.
• Overall, the club are one win away (currently sitting at eight wins in a row) from equalling their best winning run of nine which occurred back in 2005.
• In a quirky stat, Norths are still aiming to avoid their 250th Cup loss in their 552nd game, currently sitting at 284 wins and 18 draws
• The formidable statistics keep piling for Norths, having won their last four games at home.
• This doesn’t bode well for Central Queensland who have lost their last 17 away games.

*Statistics by Brad Tallon

*If you or someone you know is in need of immediate crisis or suicide prevention support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au/gethelp.