The Campbell Construction Co. Tweed Seagulls are looking to exact quick revenge on the Brisbane Tigers when the two go head-to-head in Week 1 of the Hostplus Cup Finals.
Brisbane took the chocolates with a 38-30 win over Tweed in Round 20. A slow start to both halves saw the Seagulls fall behind on the scoreboard before coming back on both occasions. It wasn’t until the 77th minute of the match that the Tigers secured victory.
Haele Finau got the scoring underway for the Tigers in the 5th minute of the match, set up their second and scored the match-winner shortly before full-time.
While the Seagulls showed their reliance in clawing back two Tigers leads, conceding 38 points after keeping the Townsville Blackhawks scoreless only a week earlier disappointed head coach, Ben Woolf.
“Our effort needs to be a lot better, particularly in defence. We can’t afford to defend like that if we are gonna win games in the Finals.”
But that was at Totally Workwear Stadium. This week the Tigers are forced to travel to the hallowed turf of the Piggabeen Sports Complex where royalty will await them for kickoff.
Lindon McGrady – the Prince of Piggabeen – will play his 100th game for the club on Saturday afternoon. Making his debut back in 2017, McGrady has been a mainstay in the top side since then and has featured in all 19 games so far this season.
Regular changes to the spine have seen McGrady spend time in the halves and at fullback throughout the year. Still, the adjustments haven’t stopped him from consistently producing with the ball.
Whether he is initiating shifts from first receiver, popping up out the back of shape on the edges or ending a set with his boot, McGrady is the chassis to Tweed’s chaos engine.
His 17 try assists in 2022 mark a new career high while his organisation and control of the side has played a key role within Tweed’s high-powered attack which ranks 4th in the Hostplus Cup averaging 24.9 points per game. Despite moving to the back in Round 15, Woolf noted that regardless of the position, McGrady calls the shots.
“Lindon’s doing well [since moving to fullback]. He’s still controlling the game for us like he has all year.”
With Toby Sexton named in the halves beside Will Brimson this week, McGrady will again slot into the #1 jersey but we can expect to see the 29-year-old leave his fingerprints all over Tweed’s best actions with the ball.
Woolf has the somewhat rare luxury of being able to name the same 17 again this week. Lee Turner made a successful return to the side last in Round 20 and links in the centres with Treymain Spry who continues to improve every week following a lengthy spell out of the game. That allows Josh Patston to remain on the edge where he proved particularly dangerous throughout the first 16 rounds of the season before admirably slotting in the centres as cover for Lee in recent weeks. Braden Robson’s ability to play hooker or lock is a valuable option for Woolf. Robson will start his fifth consecutive game at dummy half with Craig Garvey again named to pack some punch off the bench as he has done all season.
Meanwhile, the Tigers have named 16 of the same players again for this one with the 17th still to be confirmed before the 3:10 pm kickoff on Saturday.
Players to Watch
JJ Collins has signed on with the Dolphins for 2023 so every game from here could be his last for the Seagulls. He caught the eye of the newest NRL club with his strong carries in the middle and tackle-breaking ability leading to quick play-the-balls. He has proven particularly dangerous as the Seagulls cross halfway and often look to the edges behind a destructive Collins carry. His partnership with Sam Lisone is developing nicely, too.
The pair linked up well through the middle last week. Lisone sent Collins over on the line to score Tweed’s first of the afternoon. With a step off his left foot while getting deep into the line to gain the attention of the four-in defender, Lisone tipped on to Collins who used some nice footwork of his own to skip through the would-be tacklers.
Lisone and Collins looked to link up in similar ways in yardage shortly after but produced an error. Still, it’s an area the Seagulls can dominate given the ball playing Lisone offers alongside Collins’ footwork at the line.
Both props cracked 100 running metres while Tweed out gained Brisbane by almost 100 metres in defeat. Collins, in particular, has been a big part of Tweed’s third-ranked 1,446 running metres per game this season.
If the pair can continue to lay the platform with their carries and short passing game this week, the Seagulls will be a good chance of advancing to Week 2 of the finals.
A double dose of finals football
Saturday marks a significant day for Tweed Seagulls as they play host to two elimination finals games, both against Brisbane Tigers.
“The significance of our two teams playing in the elimination finals at Piggabeen this Saturday should not be lost on our members, sponsors and supporters,” said Seagulls CEO Matt Francis.
“Our Campbell Construction Co Tweed Seagulls and Coolangatta Hotel U21s Colts team will make the finals for a third season in succession which would be a proud achievement at any time.
“The unique challenges that the Club has faced over the past two seasons with border closures and floods make the success of both squads something to truly celebrate.
“It is of continuing credit to our coaching and support staff led by Ben Woolf, Aaron Zimmerlee and Dave Penna that our teams have performed to such a high level under such challenging circumstances.
“It only seems appropriate that we are playing both elimination games at Piggabeen this week – the graveyard of so many visiting sides.
“Our players deserve all the support we can provide and I hope to see you all at Piggabeen.
“Go the Gulls!”
Written by Rugby League Writers for Tweed Seagulls Media
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