Queensland Cup Round 15 Preview
by
Friday July 02, 2004

The season is well and truly heating up in the run towards the finals series, with eight teams still very much in the running to score a spot in the top 5.

The congestion at the top of the table is still evident, with Easts, Toowoomba and Burleigh still locked at twenty competition points each.

Some stellar matches await us in round 15, with none bigger or more important than the Easts Tigers vs. Burleigh Bears clash at Pizzey Park on Sunday afternoon.

On another exciting note, BroncoNet welcomes the third member of our Queensland Cup tipping panel!

"Russo", a valued member of the BroncosHQ forum who has a fountain of knowledge and expertise on the Queensland Cup competition, will join myself and Chris Cox in predicting the victors and margins in each game.


WYNNUM SEAGULLS vs IPSWICH JETS
Saturday, July 3; Kick-off 2:05pm.
Kougari Oval
Referee: Michael Inman

Wynnum:
Simon Phillips, Tom Hewitt, Greg Bourke, Justin Hoggart, Michael Anschau, Denny Lambert, Brett McPherson (c), Clayton Maher, Wade Bachmann, Cameron Durnford, Gary Winter, Damian Durnford, John Bruce; Interchange: John Shillington, Darren Bain, Royce Simms, Luke Dalziel-Don.
Coach: Kelly Egan

Ipswich:
Joel Smallwood, Giedeon Mzembe, Adam Connolly, Stephen Matai, Steven West, Brendan Lindsay, Ricky Bird, Kerry Theuerkauf, Paul Cohen, Danny McAllister, Matt Cameron, Marcus Jensen, Danny Coburn; Interchange: Walter Mackie, Marc Fickling, Brian McCarthy, Tim Gee.
Coach: Trevor Gillmeister
 
WYNNUM faithful will no doubt flock to Kougari Oval for this ABC televised match to cheer on the "red and green thirteen", who have been out of form during the mid-season. Despite sitting in seventh place, they are just one point out of the top 5 and should win here against a struggling Ipswich outfit. 

PREDICTIONS
Chris Cox: Wynnum by 30
Russo: Wynnum by 16
Michael Fedrick: Wynnum by 18


CENTRAL COMETS vs NORTHS DEVILS
Saturday, July 3; Kick-off 7pm.
Browne Park
Referee: Rob Alexander

Central:
Ryan Cullen, Clint Rothery, Heath Egglestone, Wade Rothery (c), Trent McKinlay, Don Saunders, Hayden Karena, George Tuakura, Terry Benson, Fili Sofa, Shannon Fish, Gerard Parle, David Nixon; Interchange: Rex Gamble, John Bidgood, Blake Hinschen, Toby Wallace.
Coach: Neale Crow

Norths:
Quentin Laulu-Togagae, Fifita Moala, Michael Crockett, Anthony Zipf, Derek Fletcher, Marty Turner, Marc Brentnall, Robert Tanielu, Andrew McFadden, Sione Finefueiaki, Paul Wuersching, Anthony Boyd, Andrew Hamilton; Interchange: Kerry Smith, Aron Bulow, Adam Blair, Pat Gardner.
Coach: Gary Greinke

THIS match is almost do-or-die for the Central Comets, who are three wins out of the top 5 in ninth position. They face one of the hottest attacking sides of the competition in Norths and even the home ground advantage won't be enough to save them. The Comets will rely on their huge pack to give the backline space to move, but attempting to do that against the likes of Robert Tanielu and Sione Finefueiaki will be a difficult task to accomplish.

PREDICTIONS
Chris Cox: Norths by 10
Russo: Central by 6
Michael Fedrick: Norths by 8


NORTH QUEENSLAND YOUNG GUNS vs TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS
Saturday, July 3; Kick-off 7:30pm.
Sarina
Referee: Shane Spicer

North Queensland:
Daniel Sorbello, Drew Campbell, Derrick Watkins, Stephen Sheppard, Tyler Smith, Wallace Solomona, Michael Meigan, Jaiman Lowe, Steven Goodhew, Matthew Scott, Dean Limpus, Ben Lowe, Clint Amos; Interchange: Simon Boyes, James Anderson, Ben Laity, Scott Bolton.
Coach: Adrian Thomson

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

ANOTHER do-or-die match for the weekend, as Tweed Heads aim to extend their winning streak to five consecutive victories. After a horror start to the year, Tweed have shown spectacular form to beat some heavily fancied sides and are still in with a chance of making the finals. They will face off against a reshuffled North Queensland side, who are sitting just one competition point outside the 5, and will be desperate for a win here. Anyone's guess, but it will definitely be a great game to watch.

PREDICTIONS
Chris Cox: North Queensland by 24
Russo: Tweed Heads by 6
Michael Fedrick: Tweed Heads by 2


TOOWOOMBA CLYDESDALES vs SOUTHS-LOGAN MAGPIES
Sunday, July 4; Kick-off 12:30pm.
Suncorp Stadium
Referee: Clayton Sharpe

Toowoomba:
Germaine Paulson, Dane Kershaw, Steve Irwin, Ashley Alberts, Donald Malone, Berrick Barnes, Paul Green, Ben Czislowski, Ian Lacey, Nick Kenny, Joe Clarke, Matt Ballin, Adrian Vowles (c); Interchange: Liam Campbell, Darren Ingram, Jason McDougall, Cameron MacKenzie.
Coach: John Dixon

Souths-Logan:
Nick Emmett, Eddie Dodd, Basil Api, Alwyn Simpson, Clive Haynes, Cameron Joyce, John Peterson, Stan Fau, Daniel Irvine (c), Matt Morice, Zeb Dewson, Kev Prior, Scott Young; Interchange: Zeb Kyle, Bob Blair, Darren Glase, Daniel Joyce.
Coach: Mitch Brennan

TOOWOOMBA are sporting an extremely shuffled new line-up, courtesy of the origin impact on the Broncos. Of course, this team is subject to change anytime between now and kick-off, with Ben Czislowski still a possibility to make his debut for the Broncos, and a host of other players no doubt possibilities to return to the Clydesdales, or be promoted to first grade. Nevertheless, the guidance and leadership of players like Paul Green, Adrian Vowles and Berrick Barnes should be enough to get the "home" side over the line in this one.

PREDICTIONS
Chris Cox: Toowoomba by 16
Russo: Toowoomba by 18
Michael Fedrick: Toowoomba by 18


REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS vs BROTHERS VALLEYS
Sunday, July 4; Kick-off 3pm.
Dolphin Oval
Referee: Tony Long

Redcliffe:
Chris Bond, Phil Shilvock, Damien Richters, Brian Jellick, Joel Barnes, Shane Perry, Michael Roberts, Nathan Sologinkin, Caleb McEniery, Nick Walker, Andrew Wynyard, Danny Burke, Grant Flugge; Interchange: Charles Vis, Matt Anderton, Quinn Smith, Joe Burley.
Coach: Neil Wharton

Brothers-Valleys:
Trent Flood, Odel Harris, Michael Rhodes, Patrick McGill, Steve Ware, Scott Maguire, Josh McCartney, Damien Jentz, Pat Dall, Luke Trahair, Damien Petrie, James Douglas, Darren Crilly; Interchange: Jon Lee, Luke Dunphy, Tim Stuart, Bryce Killoch.
Coach: Gary O'Brien.

BROTHERS-VALLEYS had possibly their best chance to secure that elusive first win against Souths-Logan last week, but it didn't come to fruition. Unfortunately, I can't see the joint venture getting close to reigning premiers Redcliffe, who have fought their way back into the top 5 and are starting to look like the side they were last year again. Should do it pretty easy in front of a home crowd here, and don't expect a close one.

PREDICTIONS
Chris Cox: Redcliffe by 50
Russo: Redcliffe by 26
Michael Fedrick: Redcliffe by 44


BURLEIGH BEARS vs EASTS TIGERS
Sunday, July 4; Kick-off 3pm.
Pizzey Park
Tony Maksoud

Burleigh:
Trent Purdon, Faron Anderson, Reggie Cressbrook, Nick Shaw, Aseri Lang, Kris Flint, Brent O'Connell, Adam Cook, Ryan Gundry (c), Shane O'Flanagan, Tony Gray, Paul Anoleck, Robert Apanui; Interchange: Ali Brown, Afa Gafa, Dean Allen, Adam Fielder.
Coach: Rick Stone

Easts:
Jason Barsley, Steve Beattie, Steve Renouf, Wade Liddell, Michael Pearse, Isaac Kaufmann, Dane Campbell, Scott Sipple, Paul Dezolt, Leigh Coghill, Darren Smith (c), Martin Allen, Phil Dennis; Interchange: Charlie Tonga, Trevor Exton, Matt Lockyer, Rob Maller.
Coach: Michael Booth

THIS game with be absolutely huge! Both teams sit are sitting in equal first position and have been in great form all season. The return of Darren Smith from NRL duty will be a huge boost for the visiting Tigers, who currently own the top spot on for-and-against. The congestion at the top of the table will no doubt continue right up until the very last rounds, so both sides will be desperate to keep winning form and an impressive points difference. This could well be a grand final preview....

PREDICTIONS
Chris Cox: Burleigh by 4
Russo: Easts by 8
Michael Fedrick: Easts by 2

That's all from us for now. Remember to get out and support YOUR local team over the weekend, and I'll be back for the Round 15 wrap on Monday!