The Campbell Construction Co. Tweed Seagulls will travel to Barlow Park, Cairns this Saturday, 13th August to face the Northern Pride in Round 18 of the QRL Hostplus Cup.
The Seagulls will be eager to bounce back after drawing 26-26 with bitter rivals Burleigh Bears last week and will be confident of collecting the two points on Saturday if they can back up their Round 17 performance.
Tweed looked ultra competitive against the competition leaders last week. Despite a host of key players currently unavailable for selection (Brent Woolf, Lee Turner, Sam McIntyre, JoJo Fifita, Ryland Jacobs to name a few), the Seagulls looked dangerous with the ball in hand to threaten both around the ruck and on the edges.
Charlie Murray is proving a revelation in the starting lock role, playing 51 minutes last week to run for 94 metres, make 24 tackles with no misses and set up a try with a clever late offload for Braden Robson to score under the posts. Murray is named to lock the scrum again this week and forms a powerful and skilful middle third alongside JJ Collins and Sam Lisone.
Out wider, Joshua Patston is another Seagull proving his utility value this season; cameoing at left centre last week and proving a key figure in that draw against the Bears. Patston’s existing combination with five-eighth Will Brimson was evident as the pair asked constant questions of Burleigh halfback Guy Hamilton in defence. Patston finished that game with 139 running metres, one linebreak and four tackle busts and will line up there again on Saturday with Ioane Seiuli retaining his spot in the backrow inside him.
Tweed’s left edge of Brimson, Patston and Seiuli was afforded opportunities to impact the game thanks in largely to the kicking game of halfback Lindon McGrady’s.
McGrady put boot to ball 12 times last week for a season-high 383 kicking metres and two forced drop-outs. He is providing the Seagulls with wonderful experience and leadership while the squad changes around him this season and was a key factor in Tweed’s performance against Burleigh in Round 17.
A rare near missed field goal attempt with the clock winding down in that game will have replayed in McGrady’s head all week and we can expect a player of his quality and maturity to respond in telling fashion this weekend.
The Northern Pride bring some form into this Round 18 clash having won three on the trot and five of their last six games.
Pride’s recent record is such that they now sit equal with Tweed on the ladder with 19 competition points, meaning a win this weekend is vital as both sides chase a spot in the top eight. Hooker and captain Chris Ostwald has been in inspired form over the last month, with four try assists in his last three games catapulting Pride into ninth position.
The last time these sides met was in Round 8 this season, with Tweed coming away convincing winners 28-0. The Seagulls’ left edge was on fire in that game with Will Brimson, Josh Patston and brothers Paul & Lee Turner all starring in the shout-out win. Brimson, Patston and Paul Turner are all named to back it up in the rematch and profile as key players for the Seagulls again in Round 18.
Player to Watch
Ioane Seiuli was in a destructive mood last weekend against the Bears. At 191cm and 114 kgs he is an imposing prospect when sizing up on opposing halves and even when he doesn’t get the ball Seuili can manipulate the defence and create space for teammates around him.
He runs a good line off his half and linked nicely with Brimson last week to hold up the defence and leave space for Patston out wider or Paul Turner sweeping out the back.
When he did get the ball, Seuili’s strength through contact and offloading ability causes problems for the defence, as evident with Kaleb Ngamanu’s try midway through the second half last week. Drawing in two Burleigh defenders to the tackle on the left edge, Seuili still managed to get his arm free and pop the pass away for Ngamanu to dive over untouched.
With one game under their belt to further develop their combinations in attack, Seuili, Brimson and Patston shape as a likely avenue for points for Tweed again in Round 18.
Coach’s Comments
Tweed Seagulls Football Manager Dave Penna says the playing squad took plenty out of last week’s draw against bitter rivals Burleigh.
“The players always lift when playing Burleigh,” said Penna.
“It was a game we let slip but we will take a lot from that game, moving forward.”
Penna paid tribute to club stalwart Lindon McGrady for his leadership both last week and throughout the 2022 season as a whole.
“Lindon brings a lot of experience and calm to the team,” Penna said.
“He loves playing for Tweed and loves helping young players in the team.”
On the versatility and team-first attitude shown by players like Joshua Patston, Ioane Seiuli and Charlie Murray in recent weeks, Penna was full of praise.
“Our whole squad has that mentality. Everyone wants to work for one another and that is all you can ask for. It’s pleasing to see those boys do well – they have worked really hard all season.”
Match Details
Round 18 v Northern Pride
Saturday 13th August @ Barlow Park, Cairns
Kick-off: 5:30pm
Streaming via QPlus.tv (subscription required)
Written by Rugby League Writers for Tweed Seagulls Media
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