Hastings Deering Colts Round 16 preview

The Tigers have snuck up on the Seagulls and are on 26 points too and playing Wynnum on Sunday afternoon.

If the Seagulls beat the Falcons on Saturday that will mean the Tigers will have to beat Wynnum Manly Seagulls on Sunday by at least 32 to claim the minor premiership crown.

The Tigers are coming off a big win over Ipswich Jets, 52-14. If they can replicate that form Sunday will be very interesting.

The Tigers had Friday night football back at the Tigers and came to play with 55 per cent of the ball and eight line breaks that kept the Jets chasing.

The Tigers have a strong offloading game and that will be an issue for Wynnum Manly and something they need to stop.

The Tigers' nine tries and just three against will please them because that’s finals defence. The Jets didn’t score until close to half-time. It was 22-6 at half-time and the Tigers were humming along.

Jackson Chang was a massive part of that defence with 33 tackles and Casey Morgan made 190 run metres, but it will be the Tigers fullback Lachlan West that will feature in the Seagulls plans this week.

How do you stop the Tigers attacking fullback?

West started the mayhem for the Tigers with a try in the second minute and then just before half-time, when the Jets were getting some momentum, rounded off his three tries in the 60th minute.

West is the Tigers finals wild card and moves quickly into position to execute whatever is on his mind. From the scrum he just sails through, kick return into the forwards, West can do that, hold up Jets on the line - he’s there or long pass to unmarked winger, he’s got it covered.

West has the third most tries in the Colts and is having an impact every week. He finished against the Jets with a huge 176 run metres and two line breaks.

Tigers coach Mark Gliddon is excited for the next month but knows this week has to be dealt with first.

“It’s the first time we have made the four top and that was a goal for us, but now we need to focus on Wynnum,” Gliddon said.

“Wynnum at Wynnum, it doesn’t get any better it will be a great day and that’s why we play football.

“They are a great side and well coached so we know we want to go to finals with momentum.”

Wynnum Manly had a hard two-point win over Redcliffe Dolphins and are in sixth on 22 points. The Seagulls raced out to 20-12 and then hung on until the end to win.

Tyree Brown with 30 tackles and Elijah Makaio with 192 run metres were a big part of that win.

It will be the three second half tries that the Seagulls conceded that will be worrying them this week. Dolphins scored five tries to four and could have easily come back to win.

The round starts with Mackay Cutters and Western Clydesdales in Mackay.

Central Queensland Capras and Souths Logan Magpies will come together in Rockhampton.

The Townsville Blackhawks and Burleigh Bears face off in Townsville.

Northern Pride and Redcliffe Dolphins will play in Cairns.

Norths Devils and Ipswich Jets both have a bye.