BMD Kougari Oval saw 5 games on Saturday in the heat, humidity and threatening rain.

Our McDonalds Seagulls Academy teams took on Tweed Seagulls across three grades, while our BMD Premiership and Hostplus Cup teams faces Mackay Cutters.

Up first, our Cyril Connell U16s beat Tweed 16-0 in a good defensive performance.

Then our Mal Meninga U18s and Harvey Norman U19s remained unbeaten with strong wins over Tweed. The U18s won 40-16 showing plenty of promise in attack and remaining equal top of the ladder. While our U19s girls won 34-18 after falling behind early and fighting back.

Our BMD Premiership team then took on the Cutters, with high expectations after some excellent signings in the off season. Unfortunately, Mackay were too strong for our girls, running away with the game 30-8. We’re right behind our BMD Premiership team and have plenty of faith that they will be back stronger next week. Julia Robinson was named Player of the Match as a standout in a beaten team.

In the last match of the day, the Hostplus Cup teams took the field at 3pm. The Seagulls opened the scoring first through fan-favourite Delouise Hoeter, before the Cutters hit back in the 25th minute. However a runaway try to Gideon Gela Mosby and a late penalty goal gave Wynnum a 14-6 lead at the break.

The half time speech from Mat Head worked wonders as the boys from the Bayside came out and scored 5 tries in the second half while conceding 0 points, with Josh Rogers kicking 8 from 8 conversions.

Kitron Laka was named Player of the Match for his dominant showing, with notable performances from Hoeter, Brendan Frei, Tyson Smoothy and Shalom O’Ofou. This was a great start to the Hostplus Cup season, and our boys will now head to Brisbane Tigers this Sunday for another tough match.

BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls headed to Bishop Park on Saturday afternoon to take on the Norths Devils across 5 grades.

Seagulls coaches were happy with the day, especially our Hostplus Cup and Women’s teams after dominant performances against our fellow Broncos affiliate.

The U16s and U18s recorded close losses and will be better for the run ahead of Round 1 next weekend.

While both Women’s teams displayed strong performances as the prolonged effort throughout pre-season training was put on show.

Hostplus Cup teams were the last to do battle at 7pm under lights.

The Seagulls started well with a couple of early tries to Ollie Pascoe and Kyle Foxwell. They maintained their intensity through the first half to lead into the break.

Wynnum Manly eventually kicked clear after an up-and-down third quarter. Norths only two tries were from a Seagulls error and a random bounce off the kick, which was promising for the defensive structure of the Seagulls and pleased coach Mat Head.

Results:
CCC U16s – Devils 24-16
MMC U18s – Devils 20-12
HN U19s – Seagulls 28-0
BMD Premiership – Seagulls 28-4
Hostplus Cup – Seagulls 28-8

Our McDonalds Seagulls Academy teams (U16, U18 and U19 Women) will now look ahead to the Round 1 fixtures against Burleigh Bears at Capalaba rugby league club this Saturday.

While our BMD Premiership and Hostplus Cup teams have a rest this weekend before a huge day of football back at BMD Kougari Oval on Saturday 25 February vs Brisbane Tigers.

 

The BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls welcomed the Brisbane Broncos to BMD Kougari Oval on Saturday afternoon. A full house of both Seagulls and Broncos supporters rolled through the gates to see all the action. Not even the hot, humid, and then rainy weather could keep these rugby league fans away.

Both the U16 Cyril Connell Challenge and U18 Mal Meninga Cup teams played before the main game, each attracting bigger crowds as their respective games continued.

The Seagulls and Broncos ran out to huge applause in their first trial of 2023. Before kickoff, both teams plus all supporters paused for a minute silence to pay tribute to Jan Plath, wife to Seagulls life member Stan, mother to former Bronco John, grandmother to current Seagull Max, and life long Seagulls supporter.

The young Broncos outfit started the game perfectly as they forced a line dropout from their kickoff. Hooker Tyson Smoothy then burrowed his way over not long after.

Five-eighth Josh Rogers then kicked to the corner for Leota to dive over untouched.

The weight of possession continued to reap benefits for the Broncos, who scored 16 points in both the 1st and 2nd third of the game, with tries to Mariner, Quai-Ward, Johnson and former Seagull Jack Campagnolo.

The final third saw a number of personnel changes, with the Seagulls fielding a more youthful team. A couple of late tries to Seagulls Cooper Hewett and Caius Faatili gave the mighty Chook Pen something to cheer about before full time.

The final score was 44-12 to the Broncos in a trial that produced plenty of learning opportunities for both teams.

Thousands of fans enjoyed the day and supported the Seagulls whether purchasing merchandise or food and drinks.

In even better news for the Seagulls, Broncos players #11 Brendan Frei, #13 Shalom O’ofou, #18 Will Samuel and #17 John Radel, who were standouts in the trial match, will all return to the Seagulls for Round 1 of Hostplus Cup on March 11.

While #9 Tyson Smoothy, #6 Josh Rogers and #4 Deine Mariner, who were fantastic on Saturday, are allocated to the Seagulls once the season kicks off. Meaning, if they are not required for the Broncos 17 on a gameday, you will likely see them in Wynnum Manly colours in the Hostplus Cup.

From everyone at the Seagulls, thank you for coming on Saturday and we’re really looking forward to a great 2023 season.

The BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls travelled to Pizzey Park yesterday to take on the minor premiers in the Hostplus Cup match of the round.

A win for the Seagulls would see them confirm their place in the Top 8, and play finals footy next week. A Burleigh win would push the Seagulls out of the 8.

The two teams came onto the field early to mark QRL’s Turn To Me Round, in which the focus was general wellbeing, and encouraged viewers to turn to a mate to speak about any trouble they may be experiencing.

The players donned blue socks and stood arm in arm before kickoff.

It was a fiery start to the game, with the intensity maintained through the first half, as both teams knew what was at stake.

Wynnum Manly were denied a couple of tries early on, and couldn’t capitalize on dominant field position early.

Burleigh opened the scoring in the 13th minute, only for Matt Lyons to counter in the 18th minute to push the Seagulls to a 6-4 lead.

Lyons added another 8 minutes later, from a Sam Scarlett kick to extend the Seagulls lead to 12-4.

Wynnum Manly were on top of the game, defending well and maintaining their aggression against the minor premiers.

The game completely changed in the 37th minute when Falakiko Manu was sent from the field for a questionable high tackle ruling.

The Bears scored off the ensuing set to bring the score to 12-8 at half time to the Seagulls.

The weight of possession and the extra number on the field made it easy for Burleigh to score multiple tries out wide in the second half.

Seagulls players TC Robati and Max Elliott were injured in the first and did not return in the second, leaving 2 players on the bench and 12 on the field.

Wynnum Manly fought hard in the second half with their season on the line, and Sam Scarlett was able to score a consolation try in the final minutes, with Seagulls-favourite Matiu Love-Henry converting from the sideline.

Burleigh ended up running away with the match 42-18, with the Seagulls left to wonder what could have been with a full strength side.

The Seagulls unfortunately miss the Top 8 in 2022 and will look to rebuild in the off season with new coach Matthew Head taking over from November 1.

In the earlier game, the McDonalds Seagulls Academy Colts had their own chance to seal the minor premiership.

Having won 13 games straight, the Gulls have enjoyed a neck-and-neck battle with the Townsville Blackhawks for first place.

With Townsville winning on Saturday and jumping into first, it was left the Seagulls to reply against the Bears on Sunday, knowing that a win would secure them the trophy with superior points difference.

The Bears gave the Seagulls Colts a great fight throughout the whole match, with the Gulls not their usual dominant selves.

A Blake Moore hattrick helped the Gulls to the lead and they managed to hang on for a 28-26 victory to bring the minor premiership trophy back to Wynnum for the second year in a row.

The Colts will now look ahead to next week where they travel to the CQ Capras despite finishing first on the ladder.

#UpTheGulls

Article by Jim O’Reilly

There was a special prelude to the BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls v Souths Logan Magpies game at BMD Kougari Oval yesterday, as a packed crowd paid tribute to Mitch Cronin and Paul Green before the game.

Continue reading “Magpies claim Mitch Cronin Memorial Cup in a thriller” →

The BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls travelled to Ipswich on Saturday evening to take on the Jets at North Ipswich Reserve.

The teams paid tribute to two former rugby league identities that had passed away during the week. Seagulls legend Paul Green, who won the 2011 and 2012 QLD Cup premierships, and Michael Purcell, who played 73 games for the Ipswich Jets, were both honoured with a minute silence before kick off.

The Jets had the added motivation of playing for their captain Nathaniel Neale, who was competing in his final home game for Ipswich, as he plans to retire at the end of the 2022 season.

Given the result of their clash earlier in the, with Wynnum running away 56-4 victors at BMD Kougari Oval, fans may have expected another Seagulls win.

However, given the added motivation for the Jets, they started extremely well, scoring 5 tries in the first 32 minutes and keeping the Seagulls at bay.

The Jets were almost keeping pace with the clock as they led 26-0 after 32 minutes to leave the Seagulls stunned.

The Seagulls bench made an impact with Kalolo Saitaua making his usual tackle-busting runs, and Harrison Graham looking dangerous at dummy half.

Graham scored in the 35th minute to give the Seagulls a positive finish to the half, going in 26-6 down.

The game steadied at the start of the second half, with Ipswich not giving an inch to the Seagulls after a fantastic opening half.

It took Wynnum Manly 20 minutes to get on the board through Zac Hosking, and the comeback was underway.

However, the Jets continued to grind away in defence and repel the Seagulls’ attacks, with time now becoming the Seagulls enemy.

The Gulls crossed again in the 71st and 74th minutes through Ben Farr and Dredin Sorensen respectively, but wayward goal-kicking preserved a handy lead for the Jets.

Ultimately, Ipswich deservedly closed out an emotional game 26-18 on a cold night west of Brisbane.

Jets Captain Nat Neale was chaired off the field, victorious in his final home.

Earlier, the McDonalds Seagulls Academy Hastings Deering Colts extended their unbeaten run to 12 matches. The Ipswich Colts put up a fight and shocked the Seagulls at half time to be within 4 points. However, Wynnum kicked into gear in the second half to run away with the game 44-22.

The Seagulls look ahead to next week where they take on Souths Logan Magpies for the Mitch Cronin Memorial Cup. BMD Kougari Oval will be packed for the most special day on the Seagulls calendar, as the Gulls also recognise the contribution of Paul Green to the club.

An inspired Redcliffe Dolphins outfit came away 28-18 winners over the BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls at Moreton Daily Stadium in Round 17.

There was barely a cloud in the sky at Redcliffe as both teams ran out to perfect football conditions on a fast pitch.

Brimming with talent from their affiliate club, the New Zealand Warriors, the Dolphins started strong with a try to Viliami Vailea.

The Seagulls responded soon after with a try from Te Maire Martin, who returned to the side after performing strongly for the Brisbane Broncos, and then suffering an injury that sidelined him for multiple weeks.

Matiu Love-Henry put Martin through the line, who then passed to Zac Hosking in support. Hosking gave the ball straight back to Martin to dodge the fullback, who then scored under the posts.

The game went back and forward for 15 minutes with both sides threatening to score, despite set plays breaking down.

Jeremiah Simbiken then crossed for the first of his two try’s in a barnstorming performance that would later earn him ‘Hastings Deering Player of the Match’ honours.

The Dolphins took a 12-6 lead into the break, with the game evenly poised.

However, Redcliffe crossed for 3 tries in the first 11 minutes of the second half to blow the game wide open.

Max Plath got one back for the visitors in the 58th minute to start the Seagulls comeback.

But errors and solid defence from the Dolphins halted the Seagulls momentum whenever they looked like going on a run.

Delouise Hoeter scored in the 73rd minute to give a glimmer of hope, however the Dolphins would close out the game 28-18.

 

The BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls and the Mackay Cutters made the trip to Sarina for Activate Queensland Country Week.

Continue reading “Seagulls Take Down Cutters in Sarina” →

The BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls made the tough trip up to Innisfail on Saturday to take on the Northern Pride.

Continue reading “Seagulls vs Pride Match Report” →

The BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls hosted the Papua New Guinea Hunters at BMD Kougari Oval on Saturday.

A lively crowd turned out to watch the match on a picturesque afternoon in Wynnum.

The Hunters started the better of the two sides with Kitron Laka opening the scoring in the 11th minute.

The men from PNG were full of energy after training with the QLD Maroons during the week and their intensity was showing against the Seagulls.

Dredin Sorensen managed to get one back for the Seagulls on the right wing.

Former Hunter, Epel Kapinias, was targeted as he ran the ball, with big shots coming from Sylvester Namo and Dilbert Isaac.

The Hunters scored twice more before the break, leading 18-4 as the teams headed for the sheds.

The Hunters momentum continued after half time with Ila Alu and Solo Wane scoring in the first 5 minutes to push PNG to a 30-4 lead.

The game steadied, and finally the Seagulls gained some momentum in front of a crowd that had been waiting almost an hour for them to turn it on.

Harrison Graham scored in the 53rd minute, and then following a sin bin to Junior Rop, the Seagulls scored twice more through Falakiko Manu and then Graham again from dummy half.

The crowd was now on its feet as the scored came to 30-22 with 17 minutes to play and the Seagulls on fire.

However, multiple attacks on the Hunters tryline were repelled or resulted in handling errors and the Seagulls couldn’t produce points from their momentum.

In the 76th minute, the Seagulls bombed a certain try through a knock on, only for Solo Wane to scoop up the ball and run 90m to score under the posts.

This sealed the game 36-22 for the Hunters, and both the players and many PNG fans in the crowd celebrated deservedly.

The Seagulls rue another missed chance to jump to 2nd on the ladder and now head north to Innisfail to take on the Northern Pride this Saturday at 5.30pm.

 

The Seagulls Academy Hastings Deering Colts continued their winning ways with a 64-0 nil demolition of the Western Clydesdales.

This is now 9 wins in a row for the Seagulls Colts and see them sit on top of the ladder.

11 tries were scored in total, with Jack Bowyer converting 10 from 11.

Cassius Cowley was named McDonalds Player of the Match for the Seagulls for his hand in many of these 11 tries.