Written by Clare Quilty, Photo by Riley Harland

Sunday afternoon brought a heartbreaking end to Wynnum-Manly Seagulls’ Hostplus and BMD seasons, with both sides falling to the Brisbane Tigers at BMD Kougari Oval.

Locked on 10 wins and in the hunt for the top eight, both Queensland Cup sides entered the thrilling decider with finals on the line, as the Seagulls came out firing.

Alex Lobb opened the scoring in the 17th minute, the winger converting his own try to put Wynnum-Manly 6-0 ahead.

The Seagulls continued to dominate, with hooker Temple Kalepo crossing in the 29th minute and Lobb again adding the extras to stretch the lead to 12-0.

At the heart of another attacking surge five minutes later, Lobb grabbed his second try of the afternoon before converting for the third time, sending the Seagulls into half-time with an 18-0 advantage.

The Tigers came roaring out of the sheds for the final 40, clawing back an 18-point deficit.

They opened their account two minutes after the break and quickly built momentum, adding another try in the 53rd minute before scoring again four minutes later.

The Tigers continued their second-half charge, crossing twice more to take a 28-18 lead with just over 15 minutes remaining.

But the Seagulls dug deep for one final push through centre Ben Farr, crossing in the 70th minute before Lobb converted to bring Wynnum-Manly back within four points.

The Seagulls searched for a late lifeline, but the visitors stood firm to secure a 28-24 win.

The defeat brings the curtain down on a strong Seagulls season, with Wynnum-Manly falling just short of finals contention in a campaign that went down to the last siren.

The BMD Women’s side struggled to find form in their final outing, suffering a brutal 46-0 loss to Brisbane as their challenging season came to an end.

Both Seagulls sides will now turn their attention to the off-season, with a refreshed 2027 campaign on the horizon.

Written by Clare Quilty

Wynnum-Manly Seagulls bounced back in style, defeating the Souths Logan Magpies 42-18 at Davies Park on Sunday in Round 22 of the Hostplus Cup.

The Seagulls made an early impact through second-rower Bayley Sironen, who crossed in the second minute, with winger Alex Lobb converting to give Wynnum an early 6-0 lead.

Souths Logan opened their account in the 14th minute, but Sironen responded seven minutes later with his second try of the afternoon, with Lobb again converting.

Wynnum continued to build pressure through the forwards, with second-rower Brendan Frei crossing in the 25th minute before Jamie Hill extended the Seagulls’ lead four minutes later. Lobb’s reliable boot added the extras to both tries.

The Magpies struck again before half-time, but Wynnum held firm to take a 24-12 lead into the break.

Souths Logan came out firing in the second half, scoring early to reduce the deficit, but Alex Lobb hit back in the 48th minute.

His momentum continued just five minutes later, when Lobb crossed for his second try of the afternoon before completing his hat-trick with five minutes remaining.

To cap off a stellar group performance, centre Jordan Swann crossed for his first try of the afternoon in the 79th minute, with Lobb converting to seal a convincing 42-18 victory.

Lobb was instrumental in the Seagulls’ win, contributing 22 points through three tries and five successful conversions.

The result lifts the Seagulls to 8th on the Hostplus Cup ladder, with just one round of the regular season remaining before finals.

Wynnum-Manly will return home to BMD Kougari Oval this Sunday to face the Brisbane Tigers in their final regular-season clash.

In the BMD Women’s Premiership, Wynnum-Manly suffered a 34-12 loss to the Magpies and will also return home to face the Brisbane Tigers. A week out from finals, the Seagulls sit 10th on the ladder.

Written by Clare Quilty

Wynnum-Manly Seagulls have fallen short against Burleigh Bears despite a spirited second-half fightback in their Round 20 Queensland Cup clash.

Burleigh made the stronger start, crossing twice inside the opening 20 minutes before adding two more tries later in the first half to take control of the contest.

Wynnum-Manly finally found their breakthrough in the 35th minute, with Garry Tuilekutu crossing to give the Seagulls some momentum heading into the sheds.

The Seagulls returned from half-time with renewed energy, mounting pressure on the Bears and beginning to find rhythm in their attack.

Prop Beni Allen added a try in the 60th minute, with Alex Lobb converting to bring the Seagulls closer.

Just six minutes later, Bayley Sironen crossed for the Seagulls, with Lobb again successful from the tee.

Continuing the Seagulls’ surge, Antonio Verhoeven scored in the 69th minute, threatening a remarkable second-half comeback.

Despite their four tries in the second half, Wynnum-Manly could not overcome Burleigh’s early advantage, with the Bears holding on for the victory.

The result leaves Wynnum-Manly sitting seventh on the Queensland Cup ladder after Round 20, with the Seagulls now preparing to return home for a Round 21 clash against the Falcons next Sunday. Wynnum will be out to avenge their earlier-season defeat and get their campaign back on track with a crucial win on home soil.

In other weekend results, the BMD Premiership Women suffered a 44-6 defeat to Burleigh Bears. The Seagulls will have the opportunity to respond next weekend when they take on the Falcons.

Written by Clare Quilty

The Wynnum-Manly Seagulls secured a clinical 54-0 victory over the PNG Hunters at Kougari Oval on Sunday afternoon, completing the season sweep after defeating the side in Port Moresby in Round 2 of the Hostplus Cup.

Returning home for Round 16, the Seagulls wasted no time asserting themselves, crossing for 10 tries in a dominant display built on attack and relentless defence.

Fullback Will Parslow opened the scoring just three minutes in, before Alex Lobb extended their lead six minutes later.

Garry Tuilekutu continued the Seagulls’ fast start, completing a first-half double with tries in the 14th and 18th minutes.

Jordan Grant added to the tally before Riley Frame crossed just before halftime, capping a near-perfect first half. Alex Lobb’s conversions secured a commanding 30-0 Seagulls lead heading into the sheds.

The home side showed no signs of slowing after the break, with Lobb scoring his second try in the 42nd minute before Jaiyden Hunt crossed five minutes later.

A try from Tuilekutu in the 68th minute sealed his hat-trick and underlined Wynnum-Manly’s dominance late in the match. Frame’s double capped a commanding Seagulls performance built on sustained pressure and execution, with Lobb finishing the job with six conversions and a late penalty goal.

The win gives Wynnum-Manly valuable momentum heading into a bye next weekend, lifting the side into ninth place on the ladder, ahead of a Round 18 return to Kougari Oval to host the Ipswich Jets.

Earlier in the weekend, the women’s BMD Premiership Seagulls secured their first win of the season with a strong 28-6 result over the Western Clydesdales in Hervey Bay. They return in Round 6 for a Seagulls derby against Tweed at Preston Campbell Field next Saturday.

Written by Clare Quilty

Still stinging from a 36-16 Round 3 loss at home, Wynnum-Manly headed to Kayo Stadium on Sunday to face the Dolphins in a heated bayside rematch.

The Seagulls set the tempo early, with second-rower Jamie Hill floating a cut-out pass over the defence, putting Alex Lobb over out wide in the seventh minute. Lobb converted his own try, pushing Wynnum-Manly out to an early 6-0 lead.

The Dolphins responded midway through the opening half, striking three times to head into the break 18-6.

The Seagulls continued to challenge after half-time, but the home side made the most of their opportunities, crossing four times to seal the win.

Fullback Will Parslow made a strong run to get the Seagulls into attacking territory before setting up Alex Lobb to grab his second in the closing stages.

Despite the effort, the Seagulls finished on the wrong end of a 34-10 scoreline, while prop Jordan Grant led the defensive effort with a tireless performance through the middle.

The defeat drops Wynnum-Manly to 10th on the Hostplus Cup ladder. They return to Kougari Oval on Sunday for a long-awaited home clash against the PNG Hunters.

It was a tough weekend across both grades for Wynnum-Manly, with the BMD Premiership side also in action. The women suffered a 22-6 defeat to the Northern Pride on Saturday in Round 4. Attention now turns to returning to form next weekend in Hervey Bay against the Western Clydesdales.

Written by Clare Quilty

The Hostplus Cup Seagulls’ three-game winning streak came to an end Sunday afternoon, falling 36-16 to the Norths Devils at Premiers’ Park in Round 14.

The Wynnum-Manly and Norths rivalry runs deep, with the sides trading blows in the 2021 Grand Final and last season’s Preliminary Final, both won by the Devils. The Seagulls added another chapter in Round 9 this year, grinding out a 16-14 victory over Norths.

Wynnum-Manly made the perfect start, marching downfield after a penalty inside the opening minute. Five-eighth Cassius Cowley capitalised, using his speed to slice through the Devils’ left-edge defence and open the scoring. Alex Lobb added the extras to give the Seagulls a 6-0 lead.

The home side responded quickly, crossing for three first-half tries.

The Seagulls finally found their breakthrough in the 27th minute. Halfback Ryley Jacks launched a pinpoint cross-field kick, with Alex Lobb rising above the defence and showing strong hands to score. Lobb converted his own try to level the contest.

Norths finished the opening forty strongly, crossing twice in quick succession to take a 24-12 advantage into the sheds. They continued to press after the interval, adding two more converted tries to extend their lead by 24 points.

The Seagulls competed until the final whistle, determined not to let the Devils run away with the win, with Bayley Sironen producing a late individual effort to score in the closing stages.

While the result didn’t fall their way, Wynnum-Manly showed resilience to stay in the contest throughout the afternoon before going down 36-16.

The result leaves the Seagulls sitting eighth on the ladder ahead of next Sunday’s clash with the Redcliffe Dolphins at Kayo Stadium.

In other weekend results, the BMD Premiership side fell 28-18 to the Devils in Round 3, with the Seagulls women looking to bounce back next week against the Northern Pride in Cairns. Back at Kougari Oval, Wynnum-Manly’s BRL A Grade side continued its strong form with an impressive 40-22 victory over Logan Pride in front of a home crowd.

Written by Clare Quilty, Photo by Riley Harland

Jordan Swann scored the first hat-trick of his Hostplus Cup career as Wynnum-Manly defeated Northern Pride 30-22 in Cairns on Saturday. The centre’s three-try performance proved the difference in an important Round 12 victory for the Seagulls.

The Seagulls made the perfect start, as Swann burst through the defensive line in just the third minute to open the scoring, with Alex Lobb adding the conversion.

Wynnum-Manly continued to apply pressure early, rewarded again six minutes later with Garry Tuilekutu crossing for the visitors’ second try.

Northern Pride gradually worked their way into the contest, reducing the margin to four points.

Despite sustained pressure from the hosts, the Seagulls defended resolutely to carry a narrow 10-6 advantage into the sheds.

The game swung dramatically after the break.

The Pride crossed just moments into the second half to level the scores, but Wynnum-Manly quickly found another gear.

Swann restored the lead in the 48th minute with his second try of the afternoon, before Jamal Shibasaki crossed three minutes later, with Lobb converting both.

With momentum firmly in Wynnum-Manly’s favour, Swann completed his hat-trick midway through the half. The centre broke clear for the third time, crossing untouched to give the Seagulls breathing room at 28-18.

A crucial Alex Lobb penalty goal in the 74th minute pushed the lead, proving enough to secure the result, despite a late Pride surge.

Swann’s three-try performance headlined a strong team effort, taking his tally to seven tries in eight appearances in his debut Queensland Cup season.

The win lifts Wynnum-Manly to fifth on the Hostplus Cup ladder heading into a bye. The Seagulls return in Round 14, to host the Norths Devils at Premiers’ Park, looking to complete a season sweep after claiming a two-point victory in the clubs’ meeting earlier this year.

The weekend also marked the return of the BMD Premiership, with the Seagulls women opening their season at home against the Central Queensland Capras. While the visitors claimed the result, the opening-round clash provided valuable experience for a developing squad and marked the beginning of another exciting campaign at Kougari Oval.

It was a big ANZAC Round at BMD Kougari Oval over the weekend, with a full day of football beginning with two junior matches before our BRL A Grade and Hostplus Cup sides took centre stage.

Our BRL A Grade team opened the senior fixtures against the Carina Tigers, with Lachlan Hanneghan getting the scoring underway. The Seagulls maintained strong attacking pressure throughout the match, crossing for a total of six tries, with four successfully converted. Carina fought hard but were unable to match the Seagulls’ intensity, finishing with four tries of their own. The Seagulls secured a strong 34–24 victory.

Ahead of the Hostplus Cup clash, a special ANZAC Round commemorative service was held, recognising and honouring those who have served. We extend a big thank you to Wandering Warriors, RSL Queensland, and the Manly Lota RSL Sub Branch for their involvement in making the occasion so meaningful.

Riding the momentum from the earlier win, our Hostplus Cup side took on the Western Clydesdales. The visitors struck first, crossing for the opening two tries to take a 10–0 lead. The Seagulls responded through Josh Coric, with Alex Lobb adding the extras, before Jordan Swann crossed in the 27th minute to give the home side a narrow 12–10 lead at halftime.

The second half belonged to the Seagulls, who came out firing with quick tries to Ben Farr and Temple Kalepo. The momentum continued with further tries to Alex Lobb, Jamal Shibasaki, and Josh Coric, who picked up his second of the day. Lobb was sharp with the boot, converting six of seven attempts. The Clydesdales had no answer, with the Seagulls running out convincing 40–16 winners.