The McDonalds Seagulls Academy teams have wrapped up their regular seasons over the weekend with final round matches at the Redcliffe Dolphins.

Providing a clear pathway through the club to our Hostplus Cup and BMD Premiership teams and beyond, the Seagulls Academy continues to develop strong local talent.

Supported by McDonalds, our Cyril Connell Challenge U16s, Mal Meninga Cup U18s and Harvey Norman U19s have done us proud again in 2023.

Our U18s finished the regular season in equal first place in the South East QLD pool, and will progress to the semi-finals after Easter. There are many talented players in the side and this is just reward for their hard work and excellent performance on the field.

Our U16s were competitive throughout their season with a young squad, of which most will get the opportunity to play again in 2024. Finishing mid-table, these boys will be stronger next season after experiencing competitive football in a tough competition.

The U19s were undefeated after 4 rounds and playing great football, eventually finishing 4th. A number of girls were identified to move up into the BMD Premiership side, solidifying this pathway for our younger players and exposing them to higher quality opponents which will aid their development for next season.

The support of our Premier Partner McDonalds is crucial to the success of the Seagulls Academy each season, and we’d like to thank them for their continued affiliation with the club.

For now, our U16s and U19s will return to their local club football, while our U18s will prepare for well-deserved finals football after the Easter break. Following that, some of our U19s Women will step up to play in the BMD Premiership and some U18s Men will play in the Hastings Deering Colts U21s.

In a split weekend of matches, our McDonald Seagulls Academy teams had some mixed performances.

On Saturday, our BMD Premiership team went down to Souths Logan Magpies after conceding a try in the final few minutes.

Shaniah Power was very impressive on her debut for the Seagulls with 2 tries, while perennial top performers Kim Hunt and Emily Bass also got on the scoresheet.

At the same time on Saturday, this time at Brisbane Tigers, our Harvey Norman U19s girls endured their first loss of the season. After sending 3-4 of their best players up to the BMD Premiership team, the U19s were faced with a tougher task than usual, and unfortunately couldn’t get past the Tigers.

Our Cyril Connell Challenge U16s kicked off Sunday’s matches at the Tigers. Their up-and-down season continued after a great win at home last week, going down 26-14 in the morning heat.

Up next were the Mal Meninga Cup U18s who hadn’t lost a game in 2023. Their dominance continued, leading 34-0 at half time and closing out the game, 46-18.

Our McDonalds Seagulls Academy teams will now get a bye after 5 games in a row, and then finish their seasons with a final game at Redcliffe Dolphins on Sunday 2 April.

Our U18s remain undefeated and equal top of the ladder, with finals football on the horizon. While our U19s are 3rd after the loss on Saturday, and our U16s are 12th.

The BMD Premiership team will play at Iona College on Saturday 25 March before the Hostplus Cup team as they look to get their season back on track.

On Saturday, our McDonalds Seagulls Academy teams headed to Capalaba Warriors junior rugby league club to take on the Burleigh Bears across 3 games.

In a show of support for our junior affiliate club, the Seagulls moved this home game to Capalaba, and were rewarded with a great turnout of supporters on the day. We’d like to thank the Warriors for hosting us on Saturday and for continuing to host our junior teams’ training sessions in 2023.

Up first were the Cyril Connell Challenge U16s at 2pm. The game was quiet free-flowing, but riddled with handling errors. The Seagulls were the better team but struggled to finish the game off when attacking their opponents tryline. However, Wynnum ran out winners 16-10.

The Mal Meninga Cup U18s match started similarly to the U16s, with handling errors causing a stop-start first 10 minutes. The Bears opened the scoring before Wynnum bounced back and headed to the break at 12-12.

The second half started with another Bears try before the Seagulls finished the stronger team to win 28-18.

In the Harvey Norman U19s, the Bears scored in the 2nd minute, before Wynnum hit back in the 6th minute. Another Bears try was followed by two Seagulls tries, and the girls from Wynnum led at half time 12-10.

As was the story in all three games on the day, the Seagulls were the stronger team but struggled to finish their attacking moves when on the Burleigh tryline. Our U19s were rewarded for continuous pressure and scored twice in the final 10 minutes to seal the third win of the day for the Bayside club, 22-10.

All three teams will now face Norths Devils this Saturday in Round 2 at BMD Kougari Oval on a huge day of football for the Seagulls. Our BMD Premiership and Hostplus Cup teams will also play a final trial game against Brisbane Tigers on the same day.

Tomorrow will see our Harvey Norman U19s Women, Mal Meninga Cup U18s and Cyril Connell Challenge U16s take the field for their Round 1 matches.

The games have been moved to our junior affiliate club, Capalaba Warriors, to show support for providing us with training fields throughout the pre-season.

Our McDonalds Seagulls Academy teams will take on the Burleigh Bears in an exciting Round 1 match up.

The Seagulls have high expectations of all three teams in 2023 and are hoping to start with three wins tomorrow.

Details:
Location – John Fredericks Park (Banfield Lane, Capalaba)
2pm – Cyril Connell Challenge U16s
3:15pm – Mal Meninga Cup U18s
5pm – Harvey Norman U19s Women

The BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls Hastings Deering Colts took on the Townsville Blackhawks for a spot in this weekend’s Grand Final.

Playing out of Bishop Park, Nundah, a large flock of Seagulls supporters made the trip to the Northside to cheer on our boys on an unusually hot September morning.

Our remaining McDonalds Seagulls Academy team had trained well and we’re visibly pumped during their warm up.

They also started the better of the two teams when a fortunate bounce from a Blake Moore kick created a contest between opposition wingers. Only for Luke Philp to dislodge the ball, regather it and tip toe down the sideline, then pass inside to Max Plath who scored within the first minute.

Unfortunately for Wynnum, that was the only bright spot in the first half, as the Blackhawks then went on to score 5 tries in a dominant performance. Both centres and wingers from Townsville were incredibly athletic and strong, and created chances most times they touched the ball.

The Seagulls went into the break down 26-6. However, finishing minor premiers and knowing just how good they can be when they get it right, the boys from the Bayside were not daunted by the challenge that lay ahead.

A couple of head knocks to Nathan Ward and Kobe Martin also caused havoc to the Seagulls bench rotation, as both players would usually play big minutes.

The second half started just how the first 40 minutes had gone, with two quick tries to the Blackhawks. Townsville scored again in the 67th minute to effectively seal the game as they extended their lead to 42-6.

Cassius Cowley was dangerous when he was introduced into the game, created a few chances and breaking tackles.

Wynnum grabbed three late tries in the final 10 minutes to add some respectability to the final score, with Nathan Ward kicking the final conversion.

Townsville finished 42-22 winners and were simply the better team on the day, in a clash of the best two teams of 2022.

Our Colts have done the club proud this year, winning 14 games in a row through the regular season, and playing an attractive style of football.

A special mention to head coach Michael Dobson who has coached the team for the past 2 seasons and will now move to the Newcastle Knights. ‘Dobbo’ finished his Seagulls Colts coaching stint with 2 minor premierships, 1 premiership, a prelim final, and 30 wins and a draw from 37 games.

The BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls Hastings Deering Colts will take on the Townsville Blackhawks in the preliminary final this weekend.

The two teams met in Round 1 this year, with Townsville running out 38-24 victors, and then participated in a cat-and-mouse game for top spot on the ladder all season.

Playing at the neutral venue of Bishop Park, home of the Norths Devils, the top 2 teams in the competition face off for a spot in the grand final.

Both teams also played the 2021 grand final, with Wynnum Manly winning 17-16 in golden point.

Kick off is 11am on Saturday, with many Seagulls supporters expected to make the trip to the northside of Brisbane for the clash.

Seagulls halfback Will Parslow will miss the game after injuring himself in the semi final against Tweed last weekend.

The additions of Ben Farr and Max Plath last weekend proved a masterstroke from coach Michael Dobson, and both will take their place in the line up again.

See below for all the information you need:

 

HASTINGS DEERING COLTS

Round: Preliminary Final
Kick off: 11am
Date: Saturday 17 September
Location: Bishop Park, Nundah (Norths Devils) and Kayo Freebies
Broadcast: 11am, Free at QPlus and Kayo Freebies

Team:
1. Ben Farr
2. Blake Anders
3. Grand Hagai
4. Carsen Huth
5. Jordan Davies
6. Blake Moore
7. Max Plath
8. Caius Faatili
9. Shaun Packer
10. John Radel
11. Ethan Malt (c)
12. Kobe Martin
13. Nathan Ward
14. Sefa Roache-Faimalo
15. Cooper Hewett
16. Ryan Jackson
17. Felix Faatili
18. Zaen Edmonds
19. Charlie Kwock-Sun Barker

Coach: Michael Dobson

The BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls will be holding junior representative trials for the 2023 Hastings Deering Colts (U21s), Mal Meninga Cup (U18s) and Harvey Norman Women’s (U19s) teams.

Please see more details for each age group below:

 

2023 Hastings Deering Colts (U21S)

When: Saturday, 8 October – 12pm to 1:30pm @ Capalaba Warriors DJRLFC, Banfield Lane, Capalaba QLD 4157
Register here: https://forms.gle/enwTEBnnjUmMeMmT9
Open to those born in 2002, 2003 and 2004
Note: registrations will close at COB Monday 3 October.

 

2023 Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup (U18s)

When: Saturday, 8 October – 10am to 11:30am @ Capalaba Warriors DJRLFC, Banfield Lane, Capalaba QLD 4157
Register here: https://forms.gle/enwTEBnnjUmMeMmT9
Open to those born in 2005 and 2006
Note: registrations will close at COB Monday 3 October.

 

2023 Harvey Norman Women’s (U19s)

When: Saturday, 8 October – 2pm to 3:30pm @ Capalaba Warriors DJRLFC, Banfield Lane, Capalaba QLD 4157
Register here: https://forms.gle/enwTEBnnjUmMeMmT9
Open to those born in 2004, 2005 and 2006
Note: registrations will close at COB Monday 3 October.

The Seagulls will provide an official invitation to attend closer to the trial date.

If you have any questions, or need more or information, please email us at admin@wynnumseagulls.com.au

 

BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls Hastings Deering Colts have progressed into the preliminary final after a strong second half performance in Saturday.

Continue reading “Hastings Deering Colts into the Preliminary Final” →

The BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls are proud to have numerous representatives in the boys and girls QLD City teams, named earlier today by QLD Rugby League.

The QLD U17 City vs Country fixtures will take place before the Hostplus Cup Grand Final at Moreton Daily Stadium on September 24.

Some familiar names have appeared again for the Seagulls in the representative arena, adding further recognition to the McDonalds Seagulls Academy program, as the club has had 4 boys and 2 girls named in their respective City teams.

For the girls, Sienna Lofipo and Jaydah Tofae, will do the Seagulls proud in a City jersey.

While the boys City team contains Jeremy Trappett, Cameron Bukowski, Beni Allen and Lewis Symonds.

All of these players had successful seasons within their McDonalds Seagulls Academy teams, and will now look to perform on the big stage at the Hostplus Cup Grand Final.

The City boys team will be coached by former Brisbane Broncos player David Stagg, who was also involved in last year’s game as a City mentor.

“Off the back of last year and seeing what it is all about, it’s more about giving them an insight into what is required at this level and their progression moving forward,” Stagg said.

While former Queensland and Australian representative Deanna Turner returns to coach the talented City girls team for a second year.

Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons Women head coach Tahnee Norris said, “It’s a wonderful opportunity for all players to learn from the camp environment during the week, and further develop their own game and skills leading into next year’s Harvey Norman Under 19s and BMD Premiership competitions.

“We’re proud to have a genuine pathway through our representative program and hopefully we’ll see future Maroons come through from this group of talented players.”

Good luck to all the Seagulls representing their region in a few weeks time!

The full team lists can be found here: Girls and Boys

The McDonalds Seagulls Academy Hastings Deering Colts travelled to Rockhampton over the weekend to take on the Central QLD Capras.

The winner would enjoy a week off and head to a preliminary final in two weeks time, while the loser would get a second chance this coming weekend.

Wynnum Manly, despite finishing 1st, were the away team to the Capras, who finished 4th, as the Colts schedule follows the Hostplus Cup schedule in finals.

Central QLD opened the scoring before Seagulls captain Ethan Malt replied in the 9th minute.

Then the Capras scored twice in 4 minutes to hold a 16-4 lead.

Seagulls try-scoring forward Felix Faatili then did what he does best – pushed his way past multiple defenders and scored near the posts.

Capras then had a player sin-binned in the 39th minute, but took a 16-10 lead into half time.

Despite being a man down, the Capras scored in the 42nd minute and also kicked a penalty goal to put 8 points on the board with only 12 men on the field.

There was a sense that a Seagulls fightback was coming – they are too good a team to play well at some point.

However, two Seagulls sin bins stalled their progress as they continued to make big metres across all of their sets.

The Seagulls were unlucky as they were disallowed 4 tries via forward passes, obstruction and a knock on in the in-goal area.

Blake Moore took an intercept and ran 80m to give the Seagulls some hope with two minutes remaining, however the Capras just held on to scrape home for the win.

In promising signs for the Seagulls, they only went down by 4 points to a good Capras side, in a performance riddled with ill-discipline and handling errors.

The boys from the Bayside will be much better for the run and now head back home to face Tweed Seagulls at BMD Kougari Oval this weekend. Game time to be released by QRL soon.