QRL article written by Rikki-Lee Arnold
The Wynnum Manly Seagulls and Burleigh Bears have advanced to the 2023 BMD Premiership grand final, after two thrilling semi-final clashes at Davies Park.
The Seagulls kicked off the action on semi-final Sunday, triumphing 30-28 over the competition leaders Souths Logan in an absolute nail-biter.
The ultimate underdogs – who finished the regular season in fourth place – handed the Magpies their first loss of the year, with a missed conversion the only difference between the two sides.
Wynnum Manly and Souths Logan scored five tries apiece, but it was the Seagulls who came bolting out of the gates early, with halfback Sienna Lofipo and centre Julia Robinson scoring within the first 13 minutes.
Souths Logan then hit back with a double to Georgia Wilson and an arm wrestle ensued, with the match going down to the wire.
Coach Ron Troutman said after the game the team had always been led by belief, even with a slow start that saw them lose their opening two matches.
“There’s been belief in the side all the year,” Troutman said.
“It’s the little things like our controllables where we let ourselves down but I’m of the opinion that we’ve been in every game of football.
“I’m very happy with today’s performance. I thought we started very well.
“We went through a period there where we sort of missed our mark a little bit on our completions … but I thought that we switched on and fought hard.
“It was very gritty. Both sides were very gritty.
“It’s our time now to enjoy this moment and then switch on to getting ready for next week.”
The Seagulls will now prepare for the grand final showdown with the Burleigh Bears at Logan Metro Sports Complex at 1.15pm on Saturday 13 May.