Gold Coast Titans centre Esan Marsters has been dropped back to the Campbell Construction Co. Tweed Seagulls for Sunday’s vital clash with the in-form Redcliffe Dolphins at Piggabeen Sports Complex.
The 24-year-old Kiwi international has played six times for the Titans since being signed from the Cowboys before round nine but coach Justin Holbrook has preferred Brian Kelly and Patrick Herbert in recent weeks, with Marsters holding 18th man duties.
He will come into Ben Woolf’s backline which has plenty of depth with Treymain Spry switching to the wing. Brayden McGrady, who has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury, has not been chosen in the preliminary side chosen on Tuesday and his fitness will be tested at the end of the week.
Fullback Jayden Campbell has been announced as the Titans No. 1 after impressing in his two NRL appearances, however AJ Brimson is in the extended Titans line-up with jersey No. 21 which appears to leave the door open for him to play and Campbell to possibly drop back.
Prop Jai Whitbread has been rewarded for his consistent good form for the Seagulls and was chosen on the interchange bench for the Titans. With their squad not to be finalised until possibly Friday or Saturday, there still could be changes to Tweed’s outfit.
Jack Cook has been named on the bench after an impressive return to the Gulls’ side in the 24-16 victory over the Cutters in Mackay and coach Woolf has named Liam Hampson (hooker) and Brent Woolf (lock) in the starting line-up in the positions they played last Sunday.
Tweed’s effort to beat Redcliffe 28-16 in round five rates with the 54-12 drubbing of Brisbane Tigers as their best this season. However, since then the Dolphins have won five straight and will be out to avenge that earlier loss.
The Tweed Seagulls team to play Redcliffe Dolphins at Piggabeen Sports Complex on Sunday at 2pm:
1 Lindon McGrady
2 Talor Walters
3 Esan Marsters
4 Lee Turner
5 Treymain Spry
6 Will Brimson
7 Toby Sexton
8 Herman Ese’ese
9 Liam Hampson
10 JJ Collins
11 Lamar Liolevave (capt)
12 Braden Robson
13 Brent Woolf
14 Jack Cook
15 Harrison Muller
16 Darius Farmer
17 Ryland Jacobs
18 Luke Burton
Round Details:
- Tweed Seagulls v Redcliffe Dolphins, Sunday June 20 at 2pm
- Piggabeen Sports Complex, Carramar Drive, Tweed Heads
- COVID safe practices will be enforced
Media: Neil Cadigan