![Round 22 Saturday wrap: Wynnum Manly lift against Townsville](/contentassets/23864b39384545c89e2979bbb88baa80/erick-lucero-04-erick-lucero.jpeg?center=0.419%2C0.589&preset=hero-primary-wide)
Wynnum Manly Seagulls have fired at the right time of the season, beating Townsville Blackhawks as they vie for a spot in the top eight.
Going into the clash as eight and nine on the ladder respectively, it was an important game for both teams at the pointy end of the season.
Wynnum Manly skipper Brendan Frei was first to cross for a try in the hot and windy conditions, in front of a boisterous Chook Pen, and his side continued to fire against Townsville to claim the two points.
Frei said it was an important win.
"Obviously these last couple of games for us are must-win so to get a win like that is very pleasing, rolling into form at the right time of the season," Frei said.
![Photo: Erick Lucero/QRL](/contentassets/23864b39384545c89e2979bbb88baa80/erick-lucero-12-erick-lucero.jpeg?center=0.22%2C0.79&preset=photo-inline)
"I thought everyone playing quite good. You don't win with 36 points off one or two individuals. I thought everyone across the park played good... plenty of effort... plenty of good team efforts today, so that's what helped us get to 36 points."
Frei said it was especially good to get the win going into the final round of the season.
"We obviously will want to build on this. Next week if we can get a good win, we'll be going into finals will our tails up," Frei said.
![Frei on the run. Photo: Erick Lucero/QRL](/contentassets/23864b39384545c89e2979bbb88baa80/erick-lucero-23-erick-lucero.jpeg?center=0.19%2C0.47&preset=photo-inline)
"You don't want to go into finals footy coming off a loss and a bit deflated. If we can get a good win next week and everyone work on a good team performance... I think that will go a long way for us."
Match: WM Seagulls v Blackhawks
Round 22 -
home Team
WM Seagulls
6th Position
![Blackhawks](/.theme/blackhawks/badge.png?bust=202408140242)
away Team
Blackhawks
9th Position
Venue: BMD Kougari Oval, Brisbane
Townsville skipper Kyle Laybutt said "that was disappointing" and he would be holding his breath to see if his side make the top eight, with a bye in the final round.
"Just wasn't our day... disappointing," Laybutt said.
"I guess we've just got to wait now... mathematically a chance to make it, but unlikely."
Laybutt shouted out "all the boys through the middle".
"Those boys played 80 minutes through the guts there and Dudley (Dotoi) on the wing there, he's a freak player... but the ball didn't bounce our way today," Laybutt said.
"Season started a bit shaky for us but towards the back end of the year, we've been playing some really good footy and getting some good wins.
"I think we're a better team than where we're sitting on the ladder, but that's footy.
"It is mathematically possible but it's pretty hard now, but we've got to get back to training for the last week, and see what happens.
"Whatever happens, we'll be back next year, bigger and better."
Elsewhere, Ipswich Jets winger Brandon Roberts scored a double as his side put together a performance to be proud of against Burleigh Bears at UAA Park.
Match: Bears v Jets
Round 22 -
![Bears](/.theme/burleigh-bears-100-years/badge.png?bust=202312080521)
home Team
Bears
5th Position
away Team
Jets
14th Position
Venue: UAA Park, Gold Coast
Norths Devils scored seven tries to Central Queensland Capras' four to claim the two points.
Match: Capras v Devils
Round 22 -
home Team
Capras
7th Position
![Devils](/.theme/devils/badge.png?bust=202408140242)
away Team
Devils
2nd Position
Venue: Rugby Park Rockhampton
Mackay Cutters duo Brent Anderson and Josh Smith both scored doubles as their side scored nine tries to the Western Clydesdales' three in Mackay.
Match: Cutters v Clydesdales
Round 22 -
home Team
Cutters
10th Position
away Team
Clydesdales
15th Position
Venue: BB Print Stadium, Mackay
Tomorrow, Souths Logan Magpies and Sunshine Coast Falcons face off at Davies Park.
Match: Magpies v Falcons
Round 22 -
home Team
Magpies
11th Position
away Team
Falcons
4th Position
Venue: Davies Park, Brisbane
And PNG Hunters and Brisbane Tigers clash in Port Moresby to round out the round.
Match: Hunters v Tigers
Round 22 -
home Team
Hunters
8th Position
away Team
Tigers
12th Position
Venue: Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby