Hoeter: Everyone is buying into the club

Delouise Hoeter believes the Seagulls have come back from the long break with the right attitude.

The Queensland Residents centre has been really impressed by the efforts of the team in a unique preseason due to the unprecedented break.

“The squad has been awesome, coming back from a big break which is pleasing to see,” said Hoeter.

“Everyone returning or have just arrived this this year, have really bought into the club.

“Even the boys who played local competitions during the pandemic-enforced Queensland Statewide Competitions break, are excited to return to Intrust Super Cup football.”

Hoeter has noticed a number of new players have given themselves a good chance for a spot in Adam Brideson’s Round 1 team by having strong preseasons.

“A lot of guys trained really well but some of the new boys have really stepped up as preseason has gone on,” he said.

“Lazarus Vaalepu, Kelepi Faukafa, Mathew Lyons and Harrison Graham are blokes who have had really strong preseasons.”

The former Wests Tiger says defending a star-studded Broncos back line under the new rules will be a focus for the Seagulls this Friday Night at Kitchener Park.

“For us as a team we will need to focus on our defence against the outside backs that have been named,” he said.

“Especially with the new ‘6 to go’ rule, we haven’t really played with that rule yet and with the quickness of their outside backs, we need to be strong defensively especially when its quick and they have a roll on.”

Seagulls at full-strength for Broncos trial

Adam Brideson has named a full-strength line up to take on the Brisbane Broncos in the opening trial match on Friday night at Kitchener Park.

11 members from the 2019 Grand Final campaign are named, including star half Sam Scarlett, forward leader Matiu Love-Henry and classy outside back Delouise Hoeter.

Joining the senior trio will be a number of new recruits including Canberra Raiders veteran Luke Bateman, dynamic outside back Mathew Lyons and former Northern Pride half Jack Campagnolo.

For the Broncos, Kevin Walters has named a strong side which is headlined by bookends Matt Lodge and Tevita Pangai Jr.

They will be joined by a host of other Broncos with NRL experience including Richie Kennar, Jesse Arthars, Tesi Niu, Tyson Gamble, Ethan Bullemor and Keenan Palasia.

Two talented young Broncos contracted players in Selwyn Cobbo and TC Robati will be playing their first Intrust Super Cup games for the Seagulls and will be wanting to impress both sets of coaches.

In a unique set of circumstances, Cobbo has been named for both the Broncos and Seagulls, where he will play the first half for the Seagulls before then switching jerseys at half time to play the second half in Walters’ side.

The 19 year old fullback from Cherbourg is considered a rising talent and the opportunity to play for both teams is available as the Seagulls are an NRL Affiliate Club for the Broncos.

The Broncos trial will present the Seagulls with their first game of football in over 341 days, as the 2020 season was cancelled after one round due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Brideson believes it is important that the Seagulls put in strong trial performances to ensure they can hit the ground running for Round 1 against Papua New Guinea Hunters on March 20.

“The trial matches this year have even more importance in our preparation given we missed almost an entire season (in 2020),” said Brideson.

“I’ll be looking for our squad to work hard and put some good efforts in on the park so we can go into Round 1 with some confidence.”

“The annual trial match against the Broncos is a great opportunity for our squad to test themselves against NRL players in a high quality game of football in front of our local crowd.”

There are limited tickets remaining and they are selling fast for Friday night’s game – purchase your tickets here so you don’t miss out!

Wynnum Manly Seagulls v Brisbane Broncos
Trial 1 – 19 February at Kitchener Park

  1. Selwyn Cobbo
  2. Ed Burns
  3. Junior Pauga
  4. Delouise Hoeter
  5. Mathew Lyons
  6. Kauri Aupouri-Puketapu
  7. Sam Scarlett
  8. Aaron Rockley
  9. Jayden Berrell
  10. Max Elliott
  11. Matiu Love-Henry
  12. TC Robati
  13. Luke Bateman
  14. Tristan Hope
  15. Lachlan Lee
  16. Lucky Taavale
  17. Lazarus Vaalepu
  18. Jack Campagnolo
  19. Harrison Graham
  20. Kelepi Faukafa
  21. Ryan O’Keefe
  22. Jacob Sturt
  23. Ben Farr
  24. Sebastian Winters-Chang
  25. Emmanuel Tuimavave-Gerrard
  26. Tom Farr

Broncos Big Guns Await Wynnum

Broncos Coach Kevin Walters wants to hit the 2021 season running and will be looking to roll out his big men in the all-important trial match against the BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls next Friday 19 February at Kitchener Park.

In a recent interview with Broncos.com.au, Walters opened up on the importance of the Wynnum trial for this season and predicted the squad’s big men will be suiting up against the Seagulls.

“I’m very happy with where the team here – the players have been really good with everything we have introduced to them this year,” said Walters.

“They are taking it all on board and I can see the gradual improvement from when we first came together back in November to now, there have been some really positive signs there.

“You feel that right now the team needs to play some football and we’ll get that next week against Wynnum and the following weekend in our major trial against the Cowboys.

“Trials in recent years haven’t been so important but I feel this year with the limited trials that players have limited opportunity to be right for Round 1 when we take on Parramatta.

“We are restricted on who we can play by the NRL and NRLPA guidelines … but some of our bigger men who didn’t play a lot of football like Matt Lodge and Tevita Pangai Junior, they will play next week.

“Because of the season that the Broncos had last year, everyone is fighting for positions – plenty of competition in the group which is what we want.

“Around training you can see the competitiveness amongst all the players and we’ve been enjoying that, the players have been enjoying that and now we’ve got the next couple of weeks with the trials being very important for a lot of players as to who will take the field against Parramatta in Round 1.”

There are limited tickets available to the Kitchener Park trial and it is expected to sell out. Order your tickets online ahead of time to ensure you do not miss this must watch trial match!

Friday 19 February 2021
Gates Open: 4.30pm
Harvey Norman Women’s U19s: 6:00pm
Brisbane Broncos v Wynnum Manly Seagulls: 7.30pm