Written by Jason Oliver, Rugby League Writers for Tweed Seagulls Media
The Campbell Construction Co. Tweed Seagulls will kickstart their 2022 season at 3:30pm this Saturday afternoon when they take on the Brisbane Tigers at Piggabeen Sports Complex, Tweed Heads.
The Seagulls come into Round 1 on the back of a promising 10-4 trial win over fellow 2021 finalists Souths Logan Magpies in February. Tweed also sent two teams up to face the Burleigh Bears earlier this month and although both Burleigh sides were better on the day, it’s a bonus that so many in the Seagulls squad got some minutes under their belt before the season starts.
The Brisbane Tigers also bring two trial games of experience into this matchup having secured narrow, high scoring wins over Norths Devils (30-28) and Wynnum-Manly Seagulls (34-28) during the preseason trials.
The last time these sides met was in Round 8 of last year, when Tweed dominated Brisbane 54-12. Five-eighth Lindon McGrady scored a try and kicked nine conversations to finish that game with 22 points to his name.
Saturday will be the first time Tweed has taken the field for a competitive game since their tough preliminary final loss to Wynnum-Manly last year and although the bar was set high in 2021, there is plenty of confidence about this group to go one better in 2022.
Player(s) to Watch
With Gold Coast Titans regular Tannah Boyd named in the halves for Tweed this weekend he is the obvious candidate for player to watch, but there are a few other Seagulls worth keeping an eye on as well.
Kiwi import Paul Turner has joined the Titans from the Warriors in 2022 but will line up at fullback for his first game in Tweed colours in Round 1. The zippy playmaker has electric footwork, a soft pair of hands and is highly versatile too, capable of playing at fullback, centre, halves or hooker at a pinch. He profiles as a guy who could slot into a #14 role for the Titans at some point this year but for now he gets to show what he can do for Tweed at the back. Expect him to do some damage if the Seagulls can generate some ruck speed through the middle and shift quickly to Turner on an edge.
Another player of NRL calibre suiting up for Tweed this weekend is backrower Sam McIntyre. The 23-year-old is tough as nails and loves the dirty work but is also a capable ballplayer in yardage. He’s been effective in the NRL at lock-forward but gets his chance on an edge this weekend against the Tigers and can bring some variety to how Tweed work the ball upfield in Round 1.
Coach’s Comments
It’s all about the little things this early in the year and head coach Ben Woolf is approaching the season opener with a focus on the effort areas.
“I would like to see us get our effort areas right and be patient,” Woolf said.
”In early games, things won’t always work out as planned but if the effort is high you are more likely to get the result.”
With a few new faces in the Seagulls squad this year including a number of Titans contracted players, Woolf is pleased with the competition for spots.
“It will be good to see how the Titans players go as only Sam McIntyre has played for us previously,” said Woolf.
“It was difficult to pick our 17 this week. It’s good to have competition for spots but we need all the players who miss out to be supportive of the team picked. The players who haven’t made the side this week will hopefully play Colts or A-grade and play well there to continue pushing for a spot.”
Team List
1 Paul Turner
2 Ryland Jacobs
3 Lee Turner
4 Will Brimson
5 Jo Jo Fifita
6 Lindon McGrady ©
7 Tanah Boyd
8 JJ Collins
9 Brent Woolf
10 Harrison Muller
11 Sam McIntyre
12 Reuban Porter
13 Braden Robson
14 Craig Garvey
15 Lamar Liolevave ©
16 Daniel Ross
17 Ioane Seiuli
18 Jaline Graham
Coach: Ben Woolf
Match Info
Round 1 vs Brisbane Tigers
Saturday 19th March, Piggabeen Sports Complex, Tweed Heads
Kick-off: 3:30pm
Streaming via QPlus.tv (subscription required)
Written by Jason Oliver, Rugby League Writers for Tweed Seagulls Media
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