The Campbell Construction Co. Tweed Seagulls will be looking to post back-to-back wins on Saturday 9th July at 6pm when they take on the Redcliffe Dolphins in Round 14 of the QRL Hostplus Cup.
The Seagulls will make the trip up the M1 to Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe with plenty of confidence this weekend having bested the 4th placed North Queensland Capras in Round 13. That win boosted Tweed up to fifth place on the ladder and in perfect position to make a deep run in this year’s finals series. A win against the seventh-placed Dolphins on Saturday will entrench the Seagulls inside the top eight with seven games to go in the regular season.
Much of the analysis in 2022 has been focused on Tweed’s free-flowing attacking structures and the threats they possess from dummy-half. The hooking trio of Brent Woolf, Craig Garvey and Blake Scott is a combination most QRL clubs would die for and the Seagulls have used all three effectively throughout the ‘22 season. They all bring different strengths to the position but one constant is their ability to bring Tweed’s middle forwards onto the ball and generate ruck speed in attack.
Much of this can also be attributed to the Seagulls’ forward rotation. The likes of JJ Collins, Lamar Manuel-Liolevave and Braden Robson have been stalwarts for Tweed in 2022 and consistently bend the line in yardage sets which creates the spaces out wide. Two tries against the Capras last week came on the back of exactly that – compressing the middle before simple hands to both edges found space in the corner.
All Tweed’s points in Round 13 were fine examples of their confidence and willingness to promote the footy, from anywhere on the field and in any conditions. Seven pairs of hands were needed for Sosefo Fifita to score in the 15th minute and another six were involved to put Scott Galeano over despite the horrid conditions last weekend. Considering the Seagulls are currently navigating the absence of fullback Paul Turner and forward Sam McIntyre – both who were integral to Tweed’s attacking shapes to begin the season and both who have earned a Gold Coast Titans NRL gig as a result – is further credit to the depth of Tweed’s roster and the quality of their coaching.
The saying goes though that defence wins premierships, and in that department the Tweed Seagulls profile well with finals approaching.
As of Round 14, the Seagulls defence (224 points conceded) ranks as the fourth best in the competition, with just 18 points separating them and the first placed Burleigh Bears (206 points conceded). Defence is a week-to-week focus under Head Coach Ben Woolf and it’s seen the Seagulls scrap and fight their way to two-points on a number of occasions this year, regardless of their attacking form on the day. A narrow win over the Hunters in Round 10 and last week’s six point margin against the Capras are recent examples of Tweed’s ability to defend their way to victory when the points aren’t flowing – a trait that will hold them in good stead come finals time.
The confidence Tweed take from their defensive resilience also flows into their attack. The Seagulls afford themselves opportunities to promote the footy and use the ball in attack, knowing they can defend any errors along the way. Against a Dolphins outfit that averages 21.8 points per game this season, the Seagulls’ defensive resolve could be the difference on Saturday.
The Redcliffe Dolphins come into Round 14 on the back of a 26-20 win over the Brisbane Tigers, capping off a strong month that included a 50+ point win over Ipswich Jets, a narrow win against the Mackay Cutters and a tough 24-all draw with the NQ Capras.
While not as watertight as Tweed without the ball, Redcliffe have proven they have plenty of points in them in with the likes of Trai Fuller and Valynce Te Whare troubling the scoreboard consistently in recent weeks. The Dolphins are 2-and-2 at home this season and will be eager to make that record a positive one at BMD Kougari Oval on Saturday.
Tweed have the wood over Redcliffe with wins in their last two matches, including a comprehensive 41-22 win to the Seagulls in last year’s finals series.
Player to Watch
Sam Lisone returned for the Seagulls last week for immediate impact and shapes as a key player for Tweed again on Saturday. Playing 47 minutes against the Capras in Round 13, Lisone proved his quality to contribute 99 running metres and 27 tackles in just his second Hostplus Cup game for 2022.
What the numbers don’t show however, is Lisone’s effectiveness as a link man from the ruck to the edges in attack. When he wasn’t carting the ball up and bending the line, Lisone could be seen passing forward teammates into space or chiming in at pivot in Tweed’s backline shifts. It’s a role that Braden Robson and Manuel-Liolevave have filled almost exclusively this year since Sam McIntyre’s elevation into first-grade, but Lisone’s addition gives the Seagulls yet another skilful big body to employ through the middle of the field.
Against a powerful Redcliffe forward pack led by Dunamis Lui this weekend, the impact Lisone brings on both sides of the ball will be crucial to Tweed winning the ruck on Saturday.
Coach’s Comments
Head Coach Ben Woolf says his side are close to finding a nice balance in attack and defence.
“We do back ourselves with the ball but also try to take controlled risks in attack,” said Woolf.
“It is good to show that we have the ability to scramble and defend our line if we do make errors though.”
Woolf is wary of a Dolphins outfit this weekend that hasn’t lost a game since Round 6.
“The Dolphins are a dangerous side and we follow them in the draw so have seen plenty of their games,” said Woolf.
“They are a strong team across the board with plenty of strike. They’ve got a strong forward pack so we will expect them to come through the middle then challenge our edges once they get some momentum.”
Team List
Match Details
Round 14 v Redcliffe Dolphins
Saturday 9th July @
Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe
Kick-off: 6pm
Streaming via QPlus.tv (subscription required)
Written by Rugby League Writers for Tweed Seagulls Media
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