BRL preview: Seagulls eager to bounce back after Panthers go top

The 2022 premiers West Brisbane Panthers are alone at the top of the Brisbane Rugby League Premier A Grade ladder after pulling away late against last year's grand final opponents Wynnum Manly Juniors last week. 

But the beaten Seagulls will have the chance to bounce back at Brandon Park from 4.30pm Saturday against Souths, who also just fell short last week.

Souths with three wins sit in seventh place and will need to take the three points and they have the flock to do so.

The Magpies' bench will be bending with the inclusion of Koe Tararo, while Cody McIntosh and Sebastion Pianko will be ready to make an impact when let out of the cage.

Wynnum Manly Juniors equally have the firepower to return to the winners' circle.

Simione Fatafehi, Caius Faatili and last start try scorer Blake Pye could be the difference. Both squads have a powerful bench and the side that inlflicts the most damage will take the three points.

At Emerson Park from 3pm, the Diehards will host the resurgent Roosters.

Left centre for Valleys, Keenan Yorston, has made a big impact with his return, crossing the line regularly. He scored a double to hold off the Magpies 24-18 last week.

Bernard ‘Gorgeous’ Gregorius returns and with an already star-studded backline driven by Jacob Fauid, the Roosters will have their hands full.

Brighton will be cocky after a massive win over Beenleigh 52-10, showing the chooks are alive in 2023.

Front rower enforcers Samson Graham and Matt Gill scored last week and will be chasing further four pointers this weekend.

Half Brock Nelson has the keys to a massive pack to steer around Emerson Park and will look to go back to back and make a charge up the ladder.

The Pride's pride was severely dented after a rooster caning and that has them now just out of the five. They will host Normanby at Hammel Park from 3pm.

The Hounds looked set to take the rolled up newspaper to their fellow canines leading 18-0 after 10 minutes against Bulimba last week, only to go down 48-28. 

Beenleigh skipper Tyler Han will be looking for an improvement to keep their season on track.

While the stating 13 for Beenleigh has been impressive and made an impact. Andrew Petaia, Keanu Ratumaitavuki-Aiolupo, Hayden Smith and the mercurial David Quinlin will again be called to action.

Normanby fell in a hole after a great start last week. Issac Luke will play his second game at nine and will be after an 80 minute effort from his pack.

Michael Butson and Thomas ‘The Tank Engine’ McNulty have that go forward to remain in the top five come full time.

You give the Panthers 80 minutes to score a win and they will use every last second.

From round two, the premiers have blocked out the scoreboard and have come from behind or held off late offence. Carina will need to match that when they head to Frank Lind Oval for their 4.30pm appointment.

The Tigers roared loud at last for the Old Boys last week, putting 52 on Pine Rivers, and the big cats will be out to maul each other this Saturday.

Two sets of passionate front rows will be a feature. For Wests, Faafetai Vaavale, Shane Pumipi and Chris Gesch and for Carina, Cameron Torpy, Jayden Newbold and Josh Colls, will have fullbacks Kyle Van Klaveren and Tony Thompson happy that they will be as far away from this stoush as possible.

They are too pretty for this kind of grief.

On a sadder note, Pine Rivers has been forced to forfeit this weekend, giving Bulimba a week off.