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Seagulls advance to NRL Grand Final at Suncorp!

After Sunday’s win against the Burleigh Bears, the Seagulls officially became the first team to qualify to play at Suncorp Stadium for this year’s NRL Grand Final… playing in the first Intrust Super Cup Preliminary Final as a curtain raiser to the main game.

The Club’s opponent for the game is still to be decided, with the winner of Redcliffe and Tweed’s clash this weekend set to advance.

The Seagulls are still awaiting details about opportunities for Seagulls fans to purchase tickets to come along and support the club on the day. It will be one of the biggest games for the club in the last two years, with the winner earning their place in this year’s Cup Grand Final.

Stay tuned across Seagulls social media and website over the coming days. We hope to have an announcement about tickets towards the end of the week!

Any Rugby league fans already attending this year’s NRL grand final are encouraged to turn up early and make sure they don’t miss any Seagulls action, with two exciting Intrust Super Cup preliminary finals to be played in the lead-up to the decider.

Seagulls set to reignite Bears Finals Rivalry

The Seagulls are kicking off their 2021 Intrust Super Cup Finals Campaign today against the Burleigh Bears. It’s destined to be an intense matchup, with 2nd and 3rd on this year’s Cup ladder going head to head in week one of the Finals.

But this particular game means more to both clubs, with plenty of recent big game history between the two teams.

Week 1 of the Finals in 2019 was almost a carbon copy of this weekend’s clash, with the Gulls hosting the Bears at home at BMD Kougari Oval.

It finished six tries a piece, but the Bears were too good with the boot and held on to win 34-32 despite a late Seagulls flourish. 7 Seagulls players from that game will play against the Bears again this weekend.

The club would go on to beat Redcliffe in Wynnum in Week 2, then the Blackhawks in Townsville, to qualify for the Grand Final and a second crack at the Bears.

Sunday’s game will be a rematch of the 2019 Grand Final teams, which saw the Bears win the Intrust Super Cup premiership in an impressive display. Burleigh were too good for the Seagulls on the day, winning 28-10 with five tries and an impressive performance from current Gold Coast Titans star Jamal Fogarty.

The rivalry continued in 2020, with the clubs facing off in the first round of the season before Covid caused the eventual cancellation of the season. The Bears had carried over their form from 2019 and were convincing victors in Round 1.

The two teams have only played each other once in 2021. Earlier this season, the Gulls took on the Bears in Chinchilla as part of the QRL’s Country Round. The Bears took that win as well, holding off a late Seagulls comeback to finish 26-20.

With a spot in the Preliminary Finals at Suncorp Stadium on the line, this game will be sure to reignite a fierce finals rivalry between the two clubs.

Head down to BMD Kougari Oval today to watch the Hastings Deering Colts (who won the minor premiership) take on the Falcons at 11am, before the Cup game at 1.10pm. If you can’t make it down in person, you can watch the game via Kayo Freebies or on the QRL website: https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2021/09/14/wynnum-manly-seagulls-v-burleigh-bears/

 

 

2021 Finals – a race back to Suncorp Stadium

Seagulls Media & Colleen Edwards, QRL

The QRL have officially announced that this year’s Intrust Super Cup Preliminary Finals will be played at Suncorp Stadium, as a curtain raiser to the NRL Grand Final. For the Seagulls, finishing 2nd on the ladder means this weekend is a chance to earn a week off and book a ticket straight to Suncorp.

One of the most storied venues in Rugby League history, Suncorp Stadium presents an exciting chance to showcase Seagulls football and the broader QRL competition. The clubs who qualify for the Preliminary Finals play on the biggest day in the Rugby League calendar, with the games also broadcast free to air on Nine in the lead up to the big game.

“This is a great result for our competition,” Queensland Rugby League chief operating officer Rohan Sawyer said.

“This is a huge opportunity for our Intrust Super Cup clubs, sponsors and players on the NRL’s biggest day.

“Having our games on show on NRL grand final day also allows our clubs to showcase the talent in the competition and will also highlight how the Intrust Super Cup has been such an effective and successful pathway for so many players to transition into the NRL.”

The Gulls are no strangers to big games at Suncorp Stadium, having won back to back Queensland Cup grand finals at the venue in 2011 and 2012.

However, the journey back to Suncorp will be no easy feat, with an impressive Burleigh Bears side looking to continue their recent Finals success over the Gulls.

2019 saw the Gulls lose a tight one to the Bears in Week 1 of the Finals, before a rematch in the Grand Final. The Bears were too strong on the day in 2019, but this Sunday the Gulls have a chance to take them on again in a massive game.

Be sure to grab your tickets to Sunday’s game and catch all of the action: https://brisbanetickets.com.au/event/14388

The club are looking forward to playing in front of a massive home crowd this Sunday, to help us earn the right to get back to Suncorp Stadium and recreate some of the biggest moments in recent club history.

Competitions Update: Round 16 Postponed

Representatives from the Queensland Rugby League and statewide competition clubs today discussed the impact of the State Government’s decision to extend lockdown in south east Queensland until Sunday, August 8.

It was determined this weekend’s Intrust Super Cup (Round 16) and Hastings Deering Colts (Round 13) fixtures will be postponed.

While the QRL will “explore all options” to ensure as many games are played as possible, the league is waiting on further information before making a final determination on whether the fixtures originally set down for this weekend will be rescheduled.  

This outcome follows the decision to cancel all of last weekend’s Round 15 Intrust Super Cup and Round 12 Hastings Deering fixtures due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Queensland.

These fixtures (from the weekend of July 31-August 1) will not be rescheduled. 

Colts ready to roll against Redcliffe

The Seagulls Hastings Deering Colts will look to continue their impressive season as they take on Redcliffe in the curtain raiser this Saturday at 4pm.

The Round 11 fixture is a top of the table clash, with the Gulls sitting in first place with one loss and one draw, and the Dolphins close behind in third.

After a scheduled bye round and the postponement of their most recent game, the Gulls are eager to get back out on the field and face off against the Dolphins for the second time this season. When the clubs took the field for the first time in Round 2 earlier in 2021, the Seagulls scored 7 tries and came away with a strong win.

In their most recent match, the Colts took on the Tweed Seagulls for the first time since their pre-season trial. After being beaten fairly comprehensively in that trial, coaching staff were pleased to get a good win when the points counted in Round 9.

Braden Whittaker was the Gulls’ best in that game, and walked away with the McDonald’s Player of the Match Award.

The five-eighth steered the team effectively in attack on the day, and was defensively sound. The Gulls primary goal kicker, Whittaker also converted five conversions from five attempts.

Colts Head Coach Michael Dobson was pleased with the team’s ability to convert points on the day and impressed with a more complete performance than he had seen in recent weeks. “We ticked the effort areas a bit better against Tweed and met the KPIs that we set as a team”.

Despite losing the possession and kicking metres battle, the Gulls showed strong discipline and defensive intensity, limited their opposition to 12 points.

The Colts team has gone from strength to strength in 2021, in a boost to the credibility of the McDonalds Seagulls Academy Program. With a number of NRL call ups for players in the Seagulls Intrust Super Cup side this year, pathways continue to open for Colts players to earn opportunities to play at the next level.

This week, Alec MacDonald is set to make his ISC debut after impressing Academy staff and ISC Head Coach Adam Brideson throughout the year. The ongoing development of players remains a key pillar of the Gulls football program and the Club is grateful to McDonalds for proudly supporting the Seagulls Academy.

Seagulls & Deadly Choices Indigenous Jersey Reveal

The Seagulls are proud to reveal the first of our two 2021 Deadly Choices Indigenous Recognition jerseys.

This jersey will be worn on Saturday as we take on the Northern Pride in the Redlands. The jersey’s design is inspired by the artwork and creative concepts of Elaine Chambers. Elaine is a local aboriginal woman and the Creative Director at Cultural Edge Designs.

The story of the artwork’s design includes markings that show the various journeys through life, and circular meeting places to acknowledge the people we connect and create stories with along the way.

Tracks within the design represent the aim to lead a better lifestyle, be active and healthy. The stars throughout the artwork represent the pursuit of excellence and achievement.

The design also shares elements with the Broncos indigenous jersey, as a representation of their long-term partnership with Deadly Choices and in recognition of the Seagulls’ affiliation with the club.

The Gulls are grateful to Elaine, Cultural Edge Designs and our partners at Deadly Choices for the opportunity to wear a jersey that is reflective of our commitment to the local community.

A limited number of these jerseys will also be for sale to fans in the coming weeks, with more stock potentially available based on popular demand.

Seagulls and Deadly Choices Extend Long-term Partnership

The Seagulls are proud to announce the extension of their partnership with Deadly Choices, including a program of activity focused on promoting access to primary health care for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples.

The relationship between the Seagulls and Deadly Choices is longstanding, with games held on North Stradbroke Island since 2014 in an effort to bring elite rugby league to passionate local fans.

David Collins, CEO of Yulu-Burri-Ba, Tracey Thompson, Deadly Choices Ambassador and Hanan Laban, CEO of Wynnum Manly Seagulls

Through the partnership, the Seagulls will host two Indigenous Recognition games, in Redlands and Maryborough, as part of the 2021 Intrust Super Cup season. The Gulls will take on the Northern Pride at Pinklands Sporting Complex on July 3rd, then face the PNG Hunters for the second time this season at Eskdale Park on July 31st.

Match days will incorporate a variety of coaching clinics and junior games, as well as the chance to meet rugby league icons and Deadly Choices ambassadors. The club will play in a unique indigenous jersey for each game, with the designs to be revealed in the lead up to the games.

The Gulls are also excited to support Deadly Choices in promoting healthy choices and educating local communities. As part of the Deadly Choices program, anyone who receives a 715 health check at a participating health clinic (including Yulu-Burri-Ba and Galangoor clinics) will receive a Seagulls health shirt.

Seagulls CEO Hanan Laban reiterated the importance of working with partners with shared values. “The strength of the club’s relationship with Deadly Choices is built on the back of a shared commitment to community.”

“As a community footy club we know how important it is to ensure that the local people who give so much to us are looking after themselves and are healthy. We’ve been working with Deadly Choices to help educate and promote healthy outcomes since 2014 and we look forward to creating positive impact into the future”.

Hot start helps Colts hold off Magpies comeback

The Seagulls jumped out to an early lead in the Hastings Deering Colts on Sunday, allowing them to stave off a feisty Souths Logan Magpies squad in the second half.

Coming off a draw in Round 7, Wynnum regained some attacking form and scored 6 tries during the match, winning the game 34-24 at the final siren.

The Colts sit on top of their ladder after 8 rounds, with 6 wins, thanks to the strong development and depth of talent within the McDonald’s Seagulls Academy.

Seagulls Lock Alec Macdonald scored a hat-trick on the day, earning the McDonald’s Player of the Match Award. Jacob Sturt-Tobin opened the try scoring, with Harrison Graham and Devontai Seumanutafa also crossing for the Gulls.

Like last week, the Gulls began the game strong – scoring twice in the first 5 minutes. The second of these tries came with the Magpies already down to 12 men after a dangerous tackle sent a player to the sin bin.

However, consecutive errors allowed the Magpies to shift the momentum and level the scores at 12-12 in the 19th minute. Macdonald’s second try of the day saw the Seagulls take an 18-12 lead in to half time despite some scrappy periods of play.

The Magpies went down to 12 men again early in the second half, allowing the Gulls to capitalise and extend their lead to 34-12 within 10 minutes.

The final 30 minutes of the game was marred by some poor discipline and ball handing, forcing the Seagulls to make a lot of tackles and defend their line for significant periods. Despite the scoring advantage on the day, the Gulls only had 38% of total possession and ran for less metres than the Magpies.

Head Coach Michael Dobson was happy with the result on the day, but will look for the Seagulls to improve their effort, intensity and discipline through the remainder of the season.

Coach Chat: Preparing to honour Mitch

Seagulls TV caught up with Head Coach Adam Brideson thanks to Bartons Motor Group. Brideson was pleased with the effort levels of the whole team in Round 9, beating a talented Mackay squad. As the club prepares to honour former captain Mitch Cronin, Brideson also spoke about what this game means for the squad and their preparation this week.

The Mitch Cronin Memorial Match kicks off Sunday the 13th of June at 2.10pm at BMD Kougari Oval. The tribute to Mitch will begin at 1.40pm after the conclusion of the Hastings Deering Colts game (starting at 11.45am).