Neil Cadigan
The Campbell Construction Co. Tweed Seagulls coach Ben Woolf has no doubt that the annual ‘Flock-Buster’ clash with Wynnum Manly Seagulls in Brisbane on Sunday (3pm) will be the team’s biggest test of character since their one-point loss to Redcliffe in their semi-final clash back in September 2019.
The Tweed Gulls go into the clash at Iona College having won seven of their past nine matches since the start of an impressive run into the 2019 finals.
However, they have won just two of 12 clashes between the Seagulls, the last being three-tries-apiece 20-16 loss at Kougari Oval in July 2019, before Wynnum went on to make the grand final, beaten 28-10 by Burleigh Bears.
“They’re a quality side who made the last grand final and have probably strengthened since then with the inclusions of Isaac Luke and Jessie Arthars,” said Woolfe.
“It’s the sort of game that will show us where we are at but I know we are more than capable of mixing it with them.
“We know there is a lot of improvement in how we can play. We weren’t so good in the first half against the Capras last week as we were sorting out combinations but as game wore on we got better.
“With our first full game under our belt with quite a few new players, we will be much better again this week. That’s obvious from talking to group and seeing the attitude around what they are doing.
“But we also know we have to be a lot better against such a strong team.”
Woolf will not finalise his team until probably Saturday as he waits a fitness check on Titans prop Herman Ese’ese who had a tooth knocks out and face injury from a shocking head clash last Saturday, and whether Ese’ese or Sam McIntyre will travel to Townsville with the Titans. Both played against the Cutters.
Otherwise, the selected 18 players are all fit to play. The depth of the Tweed squad will be further highlighted in round three when they play Souths Logan Magpies on April 10 (there are no matches next weekend) with centre Brayden McGrady likely to be fit.
It will be fascinating to see Joe Vuna, the former Warriors NRL player who is the younger player of dual rugby union/rugby league topliner Cooper Vuna, make his debut against Wynnum. He has had two years’ break from the game while undergoing Mormon mission work but was regarded as an outstanding prospect when he made his NRL debut as a 19-year-old in 2018.
THE SQUAD: Jayden Campbell, Talor Walters, Treymain Spry, Lee Turner, Rowland Jacobs, Lindon McGrady, Toby Sexton, Jai Whitbread, Brent Woolf, JJ Collins, Lamar Liolevave (capt), Joe Vuna, Braden Robson, Liam Hampson, Darius Farmer, Harrison Muller, Kirk Murphy, Will Brimson, Sam McIntyre, Herman Ese’ese.
Round Details:
- Wynnum Manly Seagulls vs Tweed Seagulls, 3pm – QLD
- Iona College – 85 North Rd, Lindum QLD 4178
- COVID safe practices will be enforced. FACE-MASKS TO WE WORN AT GROUND. MANDATORY!
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