Queensland Cup Round 17 Preview
by
Friday July 16, 2004

Another fantastic weekend of Queensland Cup football awaits as the seven top teams fight it out for positions in the top 5.

Only six rounds remain in the regular season, with many top of the table clashes to be fought out between now and the end of August.

Both Wynnum and North Queensland are sitting three competition points outside of the top 5 and will be desperate to taste victory this weekend, but face tough assignments against Norths and Easts respectively.

The ABC televised match between Toowoomba and Redcliffe at Dolphin Oval is by far the match of the round, with the top spot on the ladder well and truly up for grabs.


REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS vs TOOWOOMBA CLYDESDALES
Saturday July 17; Kick-off 2:05pm.
Dolphin Oval
Referee: Rob Alexander

Redcliffe:
Justin McKay, Phil Shilvock, Damien Richters, Brian Jellick, Trent Leis, Shane Perry, Michael Roberts, Adam Starr, Caleb McEniery, Troy Lindsay (c), Ben Jones, Danny Burke, Grant Flugge; Interchange: Nick Walker, Matt Anderton, Nathan Sologinkin, Andrew Wynyard.
Coach: Neil Wharton

Toowoomba:
Nick Parfitt, Grant Booker, Scott Minto, Ashley Alberts, Donald Malone, Berrick Barnes, Paul Green, Ben Czislowski, Matt Ballin, Sam Thaiday, Joe Clarke, Neale Wyatt, Adrian Vowles (c); Interchange: Ian Lacey, Jason McDougall, Nick Kenny, Cameron MacKenzie.
Coach: John Dixon

IT doesn't get any better than this, folks. The top two teams fighting it out at a beautiful oval in the ABC televised match of the week. Both teams are coming off strong victories from last round and we could well be seeing a grand final preview here. These two teams last met in Round 7 at Clive Berghofer Stadium in Toowoomba which was one of the matches of the year. Toowoomba stole victory through late tries to Nick Parfitt back then, and it won't be any easier for them this week. I'm tipping on my allegience alone, but get out there and see this one for yourself!

PREDICTIONS
Russo: Toowoomba by 8
Michael Fedrick: Toowoomba by 4


NORTH QUEENSLAND YOUNG GUNS vs EASTS TIGERS
Saturday July 17; Kick-off 5:30pm.
Dairy Farmers Stadium
Referee: Tony Maksoud

North Queensland:
Daniel Sorbello, Drew Campbell, Derrick Watkins, Tyler Smith, Dean Payne, Wallace Solomona, Michael Meigan (c), Jaiman Lowe, Steven Goodhew, Matthew Scott, Daniel Strickland, Michael Luck, Clint Amos; Interchange: Jacob Lillyman, Dean Limpus, James Andresen, Ben Laity.
Coach: Adrian Thomson

Easts:
Jason Barsley, Rob Maller, Steve Renouf, Wade Liddell, Michael Pearce, Isaac Kaufmann, Dane Campbell, Scott Sipple, Trent Young, Charlie Tonga, Darren Smith (c), Martin Allen, Nathan Murphy; Interchange: Paul Dezolt, Trevor Exton, Matt Lockyer, Clint Speechley.
Coach: Michael Booth

ANOTHER extremely important match for both sides up there in Townsville on Saturday night. Easts are sitting pretty at equal second (along with four other teams) while North Queensland are in the unenviable position of being 3 point outside the top 5. Toppling Easts is no mean feat, but the Young Guns will have to put in a great performance here to keep themselves in touch with the 5. Just like the Redcliffe vs. Toowoomba game, this one could go either way, so expect a very close one. Anyone going to the Cowboys vs. Eels match, get there in time to see this one!

PREDICTIONS
Russo: Easts by 8
Michael Fedrick: North Queensland by 2


CENTRAL COMETS vs BROTHERS VALLEYS
Saturday July 17, Kick-off 7pm.
Browne Park
Referee: Tony Long

Central:
John Tamanika, Trent McKinlay, Heath Egglestone, Wade Rothery (c), Rory Bromley, Dean Saunders, Hayden Karena, George Tuakura, Jade Wogand, Rex Gamble, Gerard Parle, John Bidgood, Shannon Fish; Interchange: Kane Hardy, Stu Cheffirs, Mick Esdale, Toby Wallace.
Coach: Neale Crow

Brothers-Valleys:
Joel Freeman, Patrick McGill, Steven Shilvock, Trent Heathwood, Aaron Denny, Casey Bromilow, Pat Dall, Damien Jentz, Luke Srama, Bryan Killoch, Luke Dunphy, Darren Crilly, Scott Maguire (c); Interchange: Michael Morris, Damien Petire, Timothy Stuart, Brendan Tailford.
Coach: Garry O'Brien

BOTH teams are coming off poor losses last round and will be desperate to salvage some dignity here. Brothers-Valleys showed a lot of spirit to lead 6-4 in the early stages against Toowoomba last week, before being overpowered. Central blew a 16-0 lead to eventually lose to Souths Logan. Personally, I can't see the luckless Brothers-Valleys side posting a win in 2004, and this one should be a good win to Central.

PREDICTIONS
Russo: Central by 32
Michael Fedrick: Central by 20


BURLEIGH BEARS vs SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES
Saturday July 17; Kick-off 7pm.
Pizzey Park
Referee: Shane Spicer

Burleigh:
Trent Purdon, Faron Anderson, Reggie Cressbrook, Adam Fielder, Aseri Laing, David Hicks, Brent McConnell, Adam Cook, Ryan Gundry (c), Shane O'Flanagan, Tony Gray, Paul Anoleck, Robert Apanui; Interchange: Ali Brown, John Flint, Dean Allen, Kris Flint.
Coach: Rick Stone

Souths-Logan:
Alwyn Simpson, Grant Lewis, Nick Emmett, Basil Api, Clive Haynes, Cameron Joyce, Jace Van Dijk (c), Stan Fau, Daniel Irvine, Darren Glase, Matt Morice, Kev Prior, Scott Young; Interchange: Zeb Kyle, Bob Blair, Matt Bell.
Coach: Mitch Brennan

BURLEIGH still sit in equal second place despite losing to Norths last weekend, while Souths-Logan's season is well and truly over despite securing a great win in round 16. The return of Jace Van Dijk is a massive boost for the Magpies, but I can't see Burleigh being defeated here. They have been in solid form all year and will be a real contender for the crown in 2004.

PREDICTIONS
Russo: Burleigh by 20
Michael Fedrick: Burleigh by 10


TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS vs IPSWICH JETS
Sunday July 18; Kick-off 3pm.
Piggabeen Complex
Referee: Michael Inman

Tweed Heads:
Justin Walker, Jeremey Walters, Michael Gordon, Balin Cupples, Ryan O'Connell, Paul Rolls, Daniel Evans, Matt Ross (c), Matt King, Eddie Harrison, Grant Stuart, Andrew Moroney, Ben Hill; Interchange: Aaron Zimmerle, Corey Maher, Ben Quinlan, Luke Kelly.
Coach: Steve Murphy

Ipswich Jets:
Cody Fullarton, Giedeon Mzembe, Terry Iese, Tim Gee, Gordon Rattler, Brendon Lindsay, Ricky Bird, Kerry Theuerkauf, Marc Fickling, Danny McAllister, Kyle Warren (c), Matt Cameron, Danny Coburn; Interchange: Walter Mackie, Matt McPhee, Paul Cohen, Joel Smallwood.
Coach: Trevor Gillmeister

IPSWICH pulled off a massive upset last weekend, thrashing the highly-regarded Young Guns 36-12 at home. Tweed, on the other hand, were taught a few lessons by reigning premiers Redcliffe but will be much better for the experience. Tweed have had a solid, though not outstanding, year and will be clear favourites to beat the Jets despite the upset they caused last round. Still, this game could easily go the way of either team.

PREDICTIONS
Russo: Tweed Heads by 12
Michael Fedrick: Tweed Heads by 8


WYNNUM SEAGULLS vs NORTHS DEVILS
Sunday July 18; Kick-off 3pm.
Kougari Oval
Referee: Justin Eastwood

Wynnum:
Jimmy Ahmat, Simon Phillips, Greg Bourke, Justin Hoggart, Michael Anschau, Luke Dalziel-Don, Brett McPherson, Grant Wooden, Royce Simms, Cameron Durnford, John Bruce, Darren Bain, Damien Quinn (c); Interchange: John Shillington, Justin Dennien, Gary Winter, Ricky Taylor.
Coach: Kelly Egan

Norths:
Quentin Laulu-Togagae, Fifita Moala, Michael Crockett, Jake Webster, Derek Fletcher, Marty Turner, Andrew McFadden, Robert Tanielu, Kerry Smith, Pat Gardner, Anthony Boyd, Jeremy Smith, Andrew Hamilton (c); Interchange: Marc Brentnall, Aaron Bulow, Antonio Kaufusi, Sione Finefueiaki.
Coach: Gary Greinke

THIS one will be an absolute cracker! Norths were very impressive in their victory over Burleigh last week, while Wynnum have been in patchy form of late but still have the side to beat any team. The outcome of this match will depend on which team shows the most commitment, with a lot at stake for both squads. Norths will aim to consolidate their position in the top 3, while Wynnum will be desperate for a win to keep in touch with the top 5. Get to Kougari for this one!