Falcons looking to strike against Jets in Kawana

Sunshine Coast Falcons will be looking to take their second half performance from Round 2 against Wide Bay Bulls in Kingaroy as inspiration for their whole game in Round 3 when they host Ipswich Jets in their Cyril Connell Challenge match this weekend.

The Falcons didn’t get the start they were after last weekend, with only 46 per cent of the ball. Their 50 per cent completion rate also meant the Falcons ended up having to do 35 more tackles that their opposition.

‘We lost it eight times on the first tackle, so that’s hard work in defence if you just keep turning it over,” Falcons coach Jack Dreger said.

“What pleased me was the second half... we were down 24-6 at half-time so it would have been easy for the boys to say we are done.

“What they did was get together at half-time and commit to fixing it.

“That’s very pleasing, so from that perspective, 24-24 is a positive result.”

Dreger saw another positive in his leader and captain Zac Garton.

“Zac was outstanding to be down by that much and draw, but still make 201 metres of ground and lead the side was outstanding,” Dreger said.

“Two tries in our comeback really close to each other so we got that momentum and could have won it at the end.

“Ellyjah Birve was our half and topped the tackle count for us, so that tells you how quickly Wide Bay were getting to our edge."

This weekend, the Jets will be keen to continue their winning form and the Falcons know what they are coming up against.

“We played the Jets in the trial game, so they’ve had a good look at us and we have had a good look at them,” Dreger said.

“They are a big team and we are prepared for them to roll through the middle.”

For the Jets last weekend, David Leota was outstanding and showed great leadership when his side were down to 12 men.

Netani Lesimakimatuka was a shining light for Ipswich as well, thanks to his kicking, knocking over four-from-four in his side's four-point win.

In other matches this weekend, the round will continue with Townsville Blackhawks at home to the Cutters.

Both teams are coming off strong wins, with Blackhawks fullback Logan Deininger and second rower Elijah-Shane Tapau both scoring doubles in their victory against Northern Pride.

Mackay winger Bailey Anderson also scored a double in his side's win against Central Queensland Capras.

The Capras and Pride will look to bounce back from their Round 2 losses when they face off at Browne Park in Rockhampton.

The Capras will be looking to replicate their start against the Pride, where Braelan Marsh scored in the seventh minute.

Northern Pride let the Blackhawks jump out to a start and couldn’t get it back after that and will need more than the 43 per cent of the ball they received last match.

Burleigh Bears were pipped 24-22 by Souths Logan Magpies last weekend and will be looking to put that behind them when they host North Devils at Pizzey Park.

The Devils went in a close one 28-18 against Brisbane Tigers last weekend.  Norths started well, but lost momentum and then never got it back, allowing the Tigers to score three tries in 17 minutes.

The Wide Bay Bulls come up against Western Clydesdales this weekend, with both teams in search of an opening win.

The Bulls earned a 24-24 draw against Sunshine Coast last weekend, while the Clydesdales lost a tight match 24-20 against Ipswich Jets in Kingaroy last weekend. 

Round 2 victors Souths Logan Magpies will host Wynnum Manly Seagulls who are fresh off a bye last weekend. 

For the Magpies, Curtis Martin-Waru and Duquan Talaepa both scored doubles in the 24-22 win against Burleigh Bears.

The postponed Round 1 match between Redcliffe Dolphins and Brisbane Tigers will also be played this weekend.