2016 Mal Meninga Cup Grand Final
Townsville Blackhawks v Norths Devils
Sunday, May 8
Suzuki Stadium (Langlands Park), 11:45am (local time)
LIVE streamed on QRL.com.au
Townsville Stingers
1. Marshall Hudson 2. Michael Carroll 3. Samuel Martin 4. Kurt Wiltshire 5. Thomas Mccagh 6. Oscar Carter 7. Jacob Bourke 8. Jack Althaus 9. Julian Christian 10. Emry Pere 11. Brett Anderson 12. Nathan Barrett 13. Corey Horsburgh
Interchange: 14. Duarne Dempsey 15. Campbell Duffy 16. Jack Glossop 17. Jayden Stephens 18. Yaza Stephen
North Devils
1. Samuel Armstrong 2. Samuel Hodson 3. Ethan Quai-Ward 4. Unngoorra Harbour 5. Jet Fiannaca 6. Liam Horne 7. Gerome Burns 8. Eddie Blacker 9. Kyle Paterson 10. Joseph Mcguire 11. Jack Peoples 12. Jake Strasser 13. Kyle Waller
Interchange: 14. Ethan Pringle 15. Matthew Sila 17. Matthew Sila 20. Wesley Heketoa
Townsville and Norths, the two teams who have dominated the Mal Meninga Cup since 2009, are set to meet in their fifth Grand Final. The wins are deadlocked at two apiece, with the Blackhawks (formerly Stingers) looking for their third straight under-18’s title and the Devils trying to win their first since 2011. In regular round play both sides finished first in their pools and undefeated, Norths finishing with a slightly better defensive record, Townsville with a better attacking record. To qualify, Townsville had big wins over Victoria and Sunshine Coast, while Norths had close games against Central Queensland, a four-point win, and Gold Coast White, a three-point win.
Keep An Eye On
Townsville prop Emry Pere is the only player from either side with NYC experience, having played 2 games for the Cowboys this season. Opposite him is Devils’ prop, Joe McGuire, the younger brother of Australian international, Josh McGuire. Joe is Norths’ leading try scorer in 2016 and his match up against Pere will be one to watch.
Where to Watch
http://www.qrl.com.au/interactive/live-stream.html
2016 Cyril Connell Cup Grand Final
Townsville Blackhawks v Souths Logan Magpies
Sunday, May 8
Suzuki Stadium (Langlands Park), 10:00am (local time)
LIVE streamed on QRL.com.au
Townsville Blackhawks
1. McKenzie Baker 2. Darian Lampton 3. Martin O’Brien 4. Kallum Delacour 5. Kade Banset 6. Kelsey Hesp 7. Adam Cook 8. Quinlan Kelly 9. Mitch Fogarty 10. Hamilton Taia 11. Isaac Locke 12. Adam Whyte 13. Jacson Lott
Interchange: 14. Curtis Dempsey 15. Jake Hindom 16. Manfred Babao 17. Kieran Moran 18. Harrison Leslie
Souths Logan Magpies
1. Ioane Seiuli 2. Jake Rowles 3. Sebastian Winters-Chang 4. Jonathan Siofele 5. Dario Takitaki 6. Tyler Coburn 7. Paul Karaitiana 8. Geordie Brand 9. Jackson Keil 10. Gensis Ola-Talutoe 11. Tyrone Matusela-Suapaia12. Iizaya Iti 13. David Fifita
Interchange: 14. Brandon Frescon 15. Santana Whakatau 16. Radar Moalele 17. Daniel Allan 18. Matthias Smalley 19. Riley Holes
Townsville and Souths Logan meet in the Cyril Connell Cup Grand Final for the second time after contesting the 2012 final. Both sides were strong during the regular rounds, Townsville finishing top of their pool, losing one game. Souths Logan finished undefeated and top of their pool, with five wins and a draw. Both sides got through their first week of finals easily but met stiff competition in last weekend’s semi finals. Townsville held off a fast finishing Toowoomba and Souths Logan upset a very strong Norths Devils side to qualify for their first Grand Final since their victory in 2012. The Blackhawks are looking to go back-to-back, after winning last year’s final over the Sunshine Coast.
Keep An Eye On
Blackhawks’ fullback McKenzie Baker was on fire last weekend, scoring 4 tries to bring his season tally to 11. The Townsville local will be hard to stop on Sunday. Magpies’ prop Geordie Brand is one of the highest regarded juniors in the competition. An U15 Australian Schoolboy last year, Brand has 4 tries in 2016 and will be leading from the front on Sunday morning.
Where to Watch
http://www.qrl.com.au/interactive/live-stream.html
18TH MAN 