Twitter: @SC_Falcons
Home Ground: Sunshine Coast Stadium, Kawana
Coach: Craig Ingebrigtsen
Last Year: 11th – 7 wins – 15 losses – 1 draw
The tragic death of James Ackerman was unfortunately the main story for the Falcons in 2015, as the Sunshine Coast team got more exposure than in 10 seasons in the worst possible way. The way the club battled through was admirable, and one can only hope that it is the last such incident in rugby league for many years if ever again.
What may have been missed for the Falcons in 2015 in their first year of an association with the Melbourne Storm with a huge improvement from 2014 with a batch of fringe Storm players combined with local talent. The Falcons improved from one win and -546 points difference to seven wins and a draw and an improvement of 399 points in the for and against. Another improvement of the same will see them in the Top 6 this season.
That improvement will be dependant to a degree on the players that the Falcons receive from the Storm each week, with players like Ben Hampton a massive bonus if unwanted for Melbourne any week. An interesting addition outside the Melbourne connection is the arrival of the Canadian International and former Burleigh player Ryley Jacks who was excellent throughout 2015 for the Bears.
The Falcons also welcome a new coach in the form of Craig Ingebrigtsen who came from the other Melbourne Storm affiliate in the Intrust Super Cup, the Easts Tigers. The new Falcons coach gets his first taste of playing against his former side early in the season in Round 2 at Easts.
Key Matches:
R1 – Sunshine Coast v Northern Pride – The Zaidee Rainbow Foundation Round for the Ackerman Family Trust opens up the season on TV.
R2 – New coach returns to Langlands Park as Falcons coach for the first time.
R8 – Sunshine Coast v Ipswich – The Falcons take their home match to Hervey Bay
