Sunday wrap: Finals week one schedule locked in as Tigers claim strong win

In Colts, the young Tigers stayed in second, unable to score enough points to knock Tweed Seagulls out of top spot, making Tweed the 2023 minor premiers on differential points.

This comes after Saturday's exciting Hostplus Cup results, in which the Burleigh Bears leapfrogged Souths Logan Magpies to take out this year's minor premiership, while Sunshine Coast Falcons and Northern Pride claimed wins in their respective Round 22 matches to lock up top eight finishes.

Burleigh (1) will play host to Central Queensland (4) in week one of the finals, while Souths Logan (2) will meet the Brisbane Tigers (3) in another exciting blockbuster.

Redcliffe (5) will then take on Sunshine Coast (8) at Kayo Stadium and Wynnum Manly (6) will return to BMD Kougari Oval to host the Northern Pride (7).

Full finals week one schedules below for Cup and Colts.

Meanwhile, Tigers coach Matt Church was proud of the effort his side put in on Sunday, especially given they had no ladder position to play for.

Win or lose, the Tigers were locked in for third spot and a week one finals clash with Souths Logan, whereas Wynnum Manly were still fighting for a top four finish.

After a bye last week, Church just wanted to see the Tigers continue their momentum from their Round 20 two-point victory over the Magpies.

"We had a really good performance against Souths, had the week off, so it was important for us to maintain our standards," Church said.

"I thought we were a little bit off the in the first half but we finished strong in the second half. Really proud of the effort.

"All in all, it was a really good team effort. All the boys were on each other’s page and getting around each other.

"We spoke about honouring the legacy of Paul (Green) and Shane (McNally). We wanted to do that and I think we put in a really competitive performance.

"It’s the first time we played for the Paul Green Medal so it was important to honour his legacy in that regard. Both teams did that.

"It was a ding-dong battle and we got away with it in the end, but it took us 70 minutes to really break away from them."

The Tigers will now turn their attention to their Saturday clash with the Magpies at Logan Metro Sports Complex.

After the former competition leaders lost the minor premiership yesterday with an upset defeat at the hands of the Central Queensland Capras, Church is expecting a fierce competitor in Souths Logan next week.

"First and foremost we’ll review today and take some learnings into that Souths game," he said.

"They’ve probably had a mixed bag over the past fortnight, not getting the result this weekend, so they’ll be coming out stronger and harder.

"You learn more from a loss so they’ll be smarting off the back of that. We know we’re up for a really good contest.

"They’ve been the benchmark for most of the season and unfortunately fell short yesterday."

For a wrap of Saturday's games, click here.

Finals Week 1 

Hostplus Cup

Saturday, August 26

Souths Logan Magpies (2) v Brisbane Tigers (3) at Logan Metro Sports Complex, 2.10pm (Live and free on Qplus.tv and Kayo Freebies)

Burleigh Bears (1) v Central Queensland Capras (4) at UAA Park, 4pm (Live and free on Qplus.tv)

Sunday, August 27

Redcliffe Dolphins (5) v Sunshine Coast Falcons (8) at Kayo Stadium, 2pm (Live and free on Qplus.tv)

Wynnum Manly Seagulls (6) v Northern Pride (7) at BMD Kougari Oval, 4pm (Live and free on Qplus.tv)

Hastings Deering Colts

Saturday, August 26

Brisbane Tigers (2) v Townsville Blackawks (3) at Logan Metro Sports Complex, 10am

Redcliffe Dolphins (5) v Souths Logan Magpies (8) at Logan Metro Sports Complex, 12pm

Tweed Seagulls (1) v Burleigh Bears (4) at UAA Park, 6pm

Sunday, August 27

Sunshine Coast Falcons (6) v Wynnum Manly Seagulls (7) at Kayo Stadium, 12pm

*All games live and free on Qplus.tv