The Campbell Construction Co. Tweed Seagulls have spent the last fortnight gearing up for a blockbuster with competition heavyweights and bitter rivals the Burleigh Bears this Sunday 7th of August in Round 17 of the QRL Hostplus Cup.
This weekend will mark a return for Tweed’s to Piggabeen Sports Complex for the first time since round 12, and the added element of a local derby is sure to add some emotion to the contest. The club is expecting a packed house at Piggabeen on Sunday as all of Tweed’s valued corporate partners, affiliates and fans gather to celebrate club stalwart Lamar Manuel-Liolevave who will play his 100th game for the Seagulls.
While all the focus is on the Round 17 clash this week, there will also be one eye on the future with the Bears and Seagulls likely to face each other again in the Hostplus Cup finals series later this year. With a packed house at Piggabeen on Sunday and everything to play for, this is profiling as the game of the round.
The Seagulls come into Sunday’s clash following a 38-26 win over the Ipswich Jets in the QRL’s Country Round last month. Tweed’s attack clicked into gear in a high scoring affair in that game, running in eight tries against the Jets to clinch their eighth win of the season.
The Seagulls have welcomed back a host of names with NRL experience over the last few weeks and in Round 16 it was Tweed fullback and Titan’s five-eighth Paul Turner who made a statement in his return to the Hostplus Cup.
Turner ran for an even 200 metres, made four linebreaks, busted five tackles and set up a try in Tweed’s rout of the Jets, and he is named in his familiar #1 jersey again this week. Turner’s return also allowed Lindon McGrady to slot back into the halves, where he looked ultra comfortable to post three linebreak assists and two try assists in Round 16.
Alongside Turner, NRL regulars Jamayne Isaako and Brian Kelly were also strong contributors for the Seagulls last week, as was Tweed’s own Scott Galeano who again showed his versatility to shift onto the wing and cross for a double. With Galeano shifting back into his preferred centre position this week and Turner, McGrady and Will Brimson rounding out a familiar and formidable playmaking trio, the Seagulls are well positioned to make a statement when they take on the competition leaders on Sunday.
The Burleigh Bears sit alone atop the QRL premiership ladder with just two losses this season and carry a three game winning streak in Round 17. Interestingly, it was Tweed who dealt Burleigh their first loss of the season back in Round 4 with a comprehensive 38-12 victory, adding yet another layer to what’s shaping as a fiery clash between the rival clubs on Sunday.
The Bears’ competition leading offence has averaged 39.2 points per game over their last five matches and they will be confident of troubling the scoreboard again on Sunday. Halves Josh Rodgers and Guy Hamilton have 12 tries and a whopping 42 try assists between them so far this season and will be a focus for the Seagulls’ defence as they look to best the Bears for the second time this year.
Player to Watch
One of the Seagulls’ most reliable performers not just this season but across his QRL career to date is Lamar Manuel-Liolevave, who will celebrate a milestone 100 Cup games for Tweed this weekend.
Manuel-Liolevave is a beloved clubman and highly respected leader in this Seagulls’ side, having made his debut back in 2017 and playing all 99 Cup games in the black-and-white since. He has played primarily through the middle this season but is named in his familiar #11 jersey this week in recognition of his services to the club as an edge forward in season’s past.
Manuel-Liolevave’s rugby league journey is testament to Tweed’s development pathways, having come through the Keebra Park system and into the Seagulls’ program from a young age. Six seasons later and Manuel-Liolevave has truly found a home at Tweed and it will be a proud moment for both himself and the club when he takes the field for the 100th time in Seagulls colours on Sunday.
Tweed Seagulls Football Manager Dave Penna could not speak highly enough of their milestone man this week.
“Lamar has been with us for a while now and is definitely one of the leaders in our club,” said Penna.
“He plays with his heart on his sleeve every week. He always turns up, never complains and always does his job. He loves the club and the club is looking forward to honouring and recognising him this weekend.”
“I think at any level – particularly at an elite level – to play 100 games for any club deserves recognition. It’s a great achievement for Lamar and another proud moment in our club’s great history.”
Another reliable performer for the Seagulls this season – albeit not one with Manuel-Liolevave’s experience – is 20-year old rookie forward Charlie Murray.
Murray had a breakout game starting at lock in Tweed’s last outing, playing 54 minutes and taking 10 hit-ups for 103 running metres (47 in post-contact), throwing two offloads and making 20 tackles for no misses.
In a pack boasting big names like Manuel-Liolevave, JJ Collins and Sam Lisone, the Seagulls are equally well stocked with role-players who can be relied on to do their jobs every week. Joshua Patston, Ioane Seiuli and Braden Robson are three good examples from this season so far, and we can add Murray to the list now too.
Moving one of your best players to cover another injured star can be risky business. With Murray stepping up in a big minute lock role however, Tweed can afford to use Robson at hooker while they navigate a dummy-half injury crisis late in the season. Both players will be key to Tweed’s chances again in Round 17.
Coach’s Comments
Head Coach Ben Woolf was pleased to see his side wrack up the points against Ipswich in their last outing but says his focus this week has been on defence.
“Defence has been a big focus this week, particularly coming up against Burleigh who have been attacking well and putting teams away,” said Woolf.
“With the quality they have it will be important to defend well.”
Along with Manuel-Liolevave, Woolf also paid tribute to young Charlie Murray after a breakout game against the Jets.
“Charlie has been playing well and always brings great energy to the group – his effort and energy is always high,” Woolf said.
Match Details
Round 17 v Burleigh Bears
Saturday 7th August @ Piggabeen Sports Complex, Tweed
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Streaming via QPlus.tv (subscription required)
Written by Rugby League Writers for Tweed Seagulls Media
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