Tweed Seagulls RLFC, proudly backed by the Seagulls Club, are preparing to kick their 2023 Hostplus Cup season off with a visit to Rockhampton to face the Central Queensland Capras.
Finishing 2022 at 6th on the ladder and as one of the best defensive teams in the competition, the Seagulls’ season ended in Week 2 of the finals in a late 26-24 defeat at the hands of the Sunshine Coast Falcons. Meanwhile, the Capras will be looking to continue on their upward trajectory following a 5th placed finish last year. Left with two wooden spoons either side of the cancelled 2020 season and a combined two wins across 2019 and 2021, the Capras impressed in winning 11 games before also seeing their season end in Week 2.
The last time these two teams met came in Round 13 last season. The Seagulls managed to build an early 16-0 lead thanks to tries from Will Brimson, Sosefo Fifita and Scott Galaeano before holding on in the second half to secure the 18-12 away win.
Saturday’s match is a chance for both teams to build on 2022’s finals appearance and put all of the hard work over the offseason into practice.
For Tweed, Lindon McGrady – who notched up his 100th game for the club last year – returns to lead the club, this week from fullback. The Prince of Piggabeen has been a mainstay in the side in recent years. In a new-look Seagulls outfit playing in their first competitive game of the year, his familiarity and control will be a big factor this week.
The Seagulls set a high bar last year. Exciting and free-flowing in attack and conceding just over 20 points per game, there is plenty of confidence that this group can build on a promising 2022 and improve further in 2023.
Players To Watch
Named to make his Seagulls debut this week, Jaron Purcell arrives from Newcastle and will fill the #13 jersey for this one. Coach Dave Penna’s approach in attack is something that appealed to Purcell when weighing up the decision to move north. A good ball player and more than capable of providing the middle service Tweed often used to shift the ball last season, his involvement will be important to how the Seagulls get up and around the field on Saturday.
While there has been a turnover in faces through the middle of the field, a cohesive back-five should ensure the Seagulls ice plenty of opportunities out wide with the ball. McGrady, The Prince of Piggabeen, finds the ball regardless of which position he fills and will be a key link between Tom Weaver and Toby Sexton in the halves, and his outside backs. Ioane Seiuli, who jumped between the backrow and centre last season, is a big body out wide that will cause the defence all sorts of problems in yardage and close to the line. Ryland Jacobs is back for his sixth season at the club after scoring five tries in 11 games last year. Lee Turner, entering his fifth season with the Seagulls, is another dangerous prospect in the centres following his seven tries in 18 games throughout 2022.
Coach’s Comments
Dave Penna took over from Ben Woolf over the summer but isn’t starting 2023 off on the back foot like other new coaches. Acting as the Head of Football for the last three years, Penna is familiar with the club and playing group and not looking to change too much to start the year.
“We’ve been a strong club in recent years so we’re in a good position to keep that going. We don’t need to change much,” said Penna.
As far as Round 1 footy goes, nobody expects perfection. Instead, Penna wants to see everything they’ve worked on in recent weeks start to show on game day.
“We want to compete on every play,” Penna said.
“Employ what we’ve worked on over the offseason – keep it simple.”
Written by Rugby League Writers for Tweed Seagulls Media
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