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.
Seagulls hosting Finals in Week 1!
Colts Kick Off: 11am
Cup Kick Off: 1pm
Wynnum Manly prevail in tough clash with Townsville
By Amelia Pattel
Townsville Blackhawks Media
The Townsville Blackhawks hosted Wynnum Manly Seagulls at Jack Manski Oval for the Round 17 fixture in a highly anticipated game, the first between the clubs for nearly two years.
This round was specifically special for the Blackhawks as they celebrated Women in League and was the first time the side has played on their home soil since late July due to postponement from COVID-19.
The first half was very high paced with intense energy from both sides, but Selwyn Cobbo put Wynnum Manly Seagulls on the board in the fourth minute. Jack Campagnolo added the extras for a six-point lead.
After a wealth of possession, the Blackhawks scored through Kalifa Faifai-Loa with a successful conversion from Shaun Nona, levelling out the scores at the 10-minute mark.
The Seagulls hit back through their captain Sam Scarlett in the 15th minute with another successful conversion.
Two high tackles from the Seagulls’ Issac Luke saw him sent to the bin and allowed the Blackhawks to score through Riley Price in the 29th minute, levelling out the scores once again.
Despite being a man down, the Seagulls scored the last try of the first half through Kalolo Saitaua in the 36th minute, giving a half-time score of 18-12.
Luke redeemed himself on his return to the field to score the first try of the second half in the 47th minute with a successful conversion extending the lead of Wynnum.
In the 52nd minute, Blackhawks player of the year Josh Chudleigh took a scoot from dummy half and put his team back in the contest, with Carlin Anderson taking over the kicking duties to put his team back in striking distance.
However, in the 56th minute the Blackhawks were unable to keep their opponents out as Delouise Hoeter scored for Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Campagnolo continuing his perfect kicking streak.
With pressure building on the Blackhawks, Michael Bell scored in the 74th minute but Anderson was unable to add the extras.
An escort from the Seagulls allowed Anderson to convert a penalty goal, bringing the Seagulls’ lead to only a converted try difference and ensuring an enthralling finish.
Despite the best efforts of the Blackhawks to force a draw, the Seagulls were victorious with a final score of 30-24.
The win kept the Seagulls in second position on the ladder, with the remaining games in the round still set to determine which teams would jostle for the top 4.
