Round 11 preview: Coster 100 headlines Burleigh milestones

Head-to-head: PNG Hunters 12, Souths Logan 3
Hashtags: #HostplusCup #PNGvMAGPIES
Broadcast: Qplus.tv 

• The PNG Hunters are back at home this weekend after suffering a narrow 24-22 loss to Tweed Seagulls, where the Gulls kicked two late field goals to seal the match
• Coach Matt Church had this to say following the game: “We need to take our opportunities in attack. We created enough chances for ourselves against Tweed last week, but unfortunately didn’t capitalise on them. It was pleasing to see the players turning up for the full 80 minutes, but we need to be better with our execution.”
• The Hunters have lost their past three and seven of their past eight games played at their Runaway Bay home base
• This weekend, they come up against the Souths Logan Magpies who have lost four of their past five away games
• However, the Magpies have won the past two games played between these two sides, including the only previous game at Runaway Bay
• While the Hunters have the advantage in the head-to-head stakes, most of the matches have been quite even, with four of the past five and seven of the past 10 games between the Hunters and Magpies being decided by a converted try or less
• Named at lock, this is set to be the 50th Cup game for Magpies forward Rory Ferguson, who has played his whole Cup career so far with the club

Ipswich Jets v Tweed Seagulls

Head-to-head: Tweed Seagulls 23, Ipswich Jets 14
Hashtags: #HostplusCup #JETSvTWEED
Broadcast: Qplus.tv 

• The wins have proved elusive for Ipswich so far this season, with the side losing their past nine games. They have also lost 13 of their past 14 home games, including the last five in a row
• Last week, they suffered a heavy loss away to a talented Redcliffe Dolphins side, but showed glimpses of what good football they could play in a close first half when they went into halftime only trailing 12-0
• Their opponents Tweed Seagulls had a tense battle with PNG Hunters, coming out on top with Lindon McGrady kicking a field goal in the 77th minute to break the deadlock and Blake Scott kicking another in the 80th to put a fullstop on the win
• McGrady now only needs 11 points to pass Nat Barnes (on 514) to become Tweed's second highest Cup scorer. 'The prince of Piggabeen' however still has a fair distance to cover to overtake competition great Brad Davis who scored 1066 in his career for the Gulls
• Tweed have lost four of their past five away games to give the Jets a scent of hope - but they have also won the past three, and four of the past five, games played between these two sides, including the past two games at North Ipswich Reserve
• Always a community-minded club, the Jets have another home game theme this weekend and will host a tailgate party. The club are encouraging fans to bring their vehicles along the sideline to watch the Jets take on Tweed in the Hasting Deering Colts and Cup games, offering exclusive viewing areas with a private bar and food options. Head to the club's social media and web pages for more information and to buy tickets

Sunshine Coast Falcons v Burleigh Bears

Head-to-head: Burleigh Bears 14, Sunshine Coast 9
Hashtags: #HostplusCup #BEARSvFALCONS
Broadcast: Qplus.tv 

• Sunshine Coast Falcons host Burleigh Bears on Saturday in a top-of-the-table clash with the top two teams in action
• Both sides come into this match with wins; the Falcons posting a close victory against Norths Devils while the Bears roared in their big 64-16 victory against Brisbane Tigers, which was their biggest win and most points scored against the Tigers
• The Falcons have six wins and a draw from their past seven games, while the Bears have won their past six games
• The Bears may be ahead in the head-to-head tally, but the Sunshine Coast have won four of the past five games between these two sides, including the last two games at Kawana
• Overall, the Sunshine Coast have won their past seven home games, while the Bears have been good on the road and have triumphed in their past four away games
• There are plenty of milestone men to celebrate in the Bears team this week - but last week in Round 10, halfback Guy Hamilton also played his 100th Cup game. Hamilton has also played previously with the Tigers, Souths Logan and the Sunshine Coast
• Bears duo Aaron Booth (previously with Mackay and the Tigers) and one-club man Dylan Kelly are both set to play in their 50th Cup games on Saturday, while Burleigh lock Sam Coster (main image) will play in his 100th Cup game and 101st game for the Bears

Northern Pride v Norths Devils

Head-to-head: Northern Pride 17, Norths Devils 8, drawn 1
Hashtags: #HostplusCup #PRIDEvDEVILS
Broadcast: Qplus.tv

• Round 10 winners in the opening weekend of the round, Northern Pride will be hoping their weekend off won't halt their winning form when they host Norths Devils this weekend
• The Devils - who have been seeking expressions of interest for a head coach - will be keen to bounce back from their loss last weekend and have recent winning form against the Pride on their side, having won the past four, and five of the past six, games against the Pride
• They have also won the past two and three of the past four games played against the Pride at their home ground of Barlow Park
• In recent times, the Pride have recorded a win and a draw in their past two home games, after losing the previous four
• Norths however have strong form on the road and have won 13 of their past 14 away games

Central Queensland Capras v Townsville Blackhawks

Head-to-head: Townsville Blackhawks 9, Central Queensland 0, drawn 1
Hashtags: #HostplusCup #CAPRASvTSVB
Broadcast: Qplus.tv, 

• Central Queensland Capras are back at home this weekend, fresh off posting an upset win against Wynnum Manly Seagulls last weekend
• The home side will need to channel that energy again this weekend if they are to post their first ever win over the Blackhawks
• The only game the Blackhawks have not won between these two sides was a 26-26 draw in Townsville in 2017
• Previously, Townsville have won all four games played between these two sides at Browne Park. However, this year, the Capras have won their past three games at Browne Park. Townsville will be up for the challenge as they have won their past three away games and have also only lost one of their past nine away games with one drawn result
• This weekend, Kyle Laybutt will play game number 79 for Townsville to make him the club's highest capped player after equalling Corey Jensen last week

Mackay Cutters v Redcliffe Dolphins

Head-to-head: Redcliffe Dolphins 13, Mackay Cutters 9, drawn 2
Hashtags: #HostplusCup #CUTTERSvPHINS
Broadcast: Qplus.tv

• Mackay Cutters and Redcliffe Dolphins come into Round 11 buoyed by victories, with the home side coming out on top in a northern derby against Townsville Blackhawks, while the Dolphins put in an immense second half to put the Ipswich Jets to bed last weekend. The 54-0 win was their biggest win and most points scored against Ipswich, while Mackay's 28-18 win was also a record, with the club posting their biggest win and most points scored against the Blackhawks
• In recent times, the Dolphins have had the wood over Mackay, with the Cutters only winning one of the past nine games between these two sides with one drawn result
• The Dolphins have also won three of the past four games played between the two sides in Mackay
• However, Redcliffe have lost three of their past four away games which would give the Cutters hope of breaking their recent losing pattern

Brisbane Tigers v Wynnum Manly Seagulls

Head-to-head: Wynnum Manly Seagulls 25, Tigers 24, drawn 1
Hashtags: #HostplusCup #TIGESvWYN
Broadcast: Qplus.tv, 9Now, Kayo Freebies and Hostplus Cup Facebook 

• The round's sole Sunday game will see Wynnum Manly Seagulls 'away' to Brisbane Tigers - but the game will be played at BMD Kougari Oval
• Wynnum Manly have a slim advantage in the head-to-head tally, but in recent times, have lost the past four and five of the past six games against the Tigers
• The Seagulls have also lost the past two and four of the past five games played between these two sides at BMD Kougari Oval
• The Tigers however have lost three of their past four away games, including their big loss to Burleigh Bears last round. The 64-16 loss last week was their highest ever in terms of Cup points against. Their previous most was 56
• In this game, the Seagulls are trying to avoid their 250th loss in their 573rd game. In their time in Cup, they have 305 wins and 18 draws
• This will be the 50th game for Wynnum Manly for bench weapon Kalolo Saitaua and his 54th overall after previous stint with Norths Devils

QRL Match Review charges results Round 10