The Ben Campbell Building Group Seagulls can almost certainly seal their first finals position since 2014 with a victory over the Ipswich Jets at North Ipswich Reserve this Sunday.
The Seagulls are in seventh position, four points clear of the ninth-placed Jets with just four rounds remaining. A win would give them a six point gap, making it almost impossible for the Jets to make it with eighth-placed Redcliffe, the defending premiers, having hit some form in recent weeks.
Ben Woolf’s Gulls team have won only one of their past seven games after a five-win run that started with a 32-24 victory over the Jets in round eight on April 28.
Yet, after being placed fourth at one stage, they can all-but cement a finals berth with a winning performance on Sunday.
“There is no hiding the importance of it, it’s like a finals match for us,” Woolf said.
“Ipswich are the team most likely to knock us out of the eight if we don’t find form soon.
“It’s an opportunity for us to get three wins clear of them but if they won they only two points behind and we are under pressure.
“The players know the importance of the game and it’s up to them to respond.”
Tweed have three key players returning to the after tearing hamstrings against Burleigh Bears a month ago – hooker Christian Hazard (pictured) and second-rowers Lamar Liolevave and Kalani Going.
However, Titans forward Will Matthews suffered a minor injury last week and will be missing although prop Leilani Latu returns after playing in the NRL in the past two rounds.
The Seagulls will have to overcome a poor record at Ipswich to secure the much-needed two points. They have one only once in their past nine visits.
The Intrust Super Cup game kicks off at 2.50pm with the Hastings Deering Colts clash starting at 1pm for what is also a must-win clash for Matt King’s ninth-placed side.
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