Round 17 Colts preview: 'Now there is a prize'

The Seagulls against the Tigers will see fifth and seventh come together.

The Seagulls got the win last season with a 30-18 result and the Seagulls will be looking to repeat that performance, more so than the 40-16 loss to Townsville Blackhawks last round.

Seagulls coach Aaron Zimmerle was excited by what this time of year can bring.

“I get excited, the middle of the year can be a grind it is all about measuring yourself against yourself but now there is a prize,” Zimmerle said.

“We want to win this last round because we are playing a good team, we are playing a team higher on the ladder than us and we want to go into finals knowing we have done all those things and with confidence.”

The Seagulls had some strong performers like winger Jotham Russell, who took plenty of pressure off his forwards with 171 run metres and Jordan Stewart-Lewis made 38 tackles.

“I think Tom Weaver has been great for us in his six games, he’s a genuine half and he makes our team better," Zimmerle said.

“We have only lost two games with him in the side, so he’s a bit of good luck for us.”

Tweed's start was a concern. They scored in the first eight minutes through Solomon Torrens, but the problem was the Blackhawks scored three times in the first 12 minutes.

The Seagulls did well to keep the damage to 12-10 at halftime, but in the second half it blew out with five second half tries.

The Tigers are coming off a 38-18 win which was built on the first half domination of the Central Queensland Capras.

The Tigers found themselves up 20-6 at halftime.

Sione Finau was a more than solid contributor with 177 run metres and Casey Morgan made 36 tackles for the Tigers.

The Tigers did more with the ball when they had it. With a 50 per cent split of possession, the Tigers were able to conjure up 30 tackle breaks and seven line breaks.

Tigers coach Mark Gliddon saw this last round as an opportunity to start finals now.

“You can’t be thinking about next week or leaving things for next week it’s finals now as far as we are concerned,” Gliddon said

“We had a really good preparation last week and we trained against Cup 13-on-13 three times, I think that really helped us be ready for our game.

“Maddison Beckett is really important to us our lock forward that just works hard and does everything you ask he really cares about his team. Every team needs one.

“I was at a lunch listening to Craig Bellamy last week and he said you need to care about the result, and your players need to care about the result.”

Norths Devils versus Townsville Blackhawks

The Devils had chances to beat the Ipswich Jets last week and kept fighting in the game, but couldn’t finish it off. The Devils were up 20-16 at halftime and then proceeded to be held up four times over the line from great Jets’ defence.

Brayden Dodd was a constant threat with 185 run metres and Zac Brooks made 41 tackles for the Devils.

This is one that got away and the Devils won’t want to repeat that effort this week.

The Blackhawks had the opposite experience against Tweed Seagulls.

The Blackhawks had three tries in the first 12 minutes and it was the normal attacking suspects of Jacob Mene and Jordan Lipp.

Mene has an incredible 25 tries from 11 games and if he’s not scoring tries his mate Dylan White does, with 186 points from 15 games.

The Blackhawks had a 28-point second half that will send shockwaves through the competition. The big win keeps the Blackhawks in equal first, but they will need Wynnum Manly to lose this week to claim the minor premiership.

Northern Pride versus Ipswich Jets

The Jets could be facing the prospect of finishing two points outside the eight if they can't beat the Pride.

The Jets defence was outstanding and they only missed 34 tackles against the Devils at home. It was easily their best defence of the season.

Tyree Bowman made 28 tackles and Lucky Pokipoki was huge with 265 run metres.

The Pride will be looking to find some bright future after forfeiting their game against the Dolphins last week.

Central Queensland Capras versus Souths Logan Magpies

The Capras remain in the top four despite their loss to the Tigers, but this 38-18 loss may be one that comes back to haunt the Capras if the Tigers were taking notes and get crack at them during the finals.

The Capras’ attack just didn’t provide the chances they needed and the Capras defence couldn’t stop the Tigers taking their chances.

Mitchell Leard-Lamont made a game high 43 tackles.

Souths Logan came up against a rampant Wynnum Manly in a bad mood and a 64-4 loss was the result. Souths Logan fullback Timothy Sielaff-Burns made 140 run metres and kept trying hard the whole game.

It was South Logan's sixth straight loss and finishes any hopes of finals.

Burleigh Bears versus Wynnum Manly Seagulls

Burleigh will come up against a Wynnum Manly side on a 13-straight winning streak that must keep other teams awake at night.

Burleigh are coming off a loss to Western Clydesdales and will be thinking about how to make better use of their chances.

Seven tries should be enough to win every game. Matthew Canning did his best without the ball, making 34 tackles and Hunter Ploegsma made three line breaks for the Bears.

Wynnum Manly are that annoying mate that is good at everything; they’re flying and have won 13 straight now with another big win over Souths Logan 64-4.

Wynnum Manly not only scored 11 tries, they made nine line breaks and 51 tackle breaks with 11 offloads. Luke Phillips made 216 run metres, kicked 10 from 11 goals and scored two tries.

Sunshine Coast Falcons versus Redcliffe Dolphins

The Falcons got beaten 24-20 in an upset by the Mackay Cutters, but will still be there in finals, so it will be very important this week that they reclaim some lost ground.

Mason Kira can play a part in that and repeat his 151 run metres. But the Falcons will look first to make sure they don’t repeat 39 missed tackles and 14 errors.

Mackay Cutters versus Western Clydesdales

It’s finally happened after a 19-game losing streak the Clydesdales have their win... 37-34 over the Bears.

The Clydesdales did it with old fashioned footy smarts, control the ball, hold on to it and tackle. They defended so well they scored less tries than the Bears but won with Elliot Speed kicking six from six.

Mackay Cutters are in the eight after an upset win over the Falcons 24-20.

The Cutters had 53 percent of the ball and only missed 29 tackles- that’s finals defence. Kane Simon made 213 run metres of pure rugby league gold.