Intrust Super Cup Round 5 Preview
As a large chunk of Queensland recovers from Cyclone Debbie or braces itself for the remains, the Intrust Super Cup Round 5 is probably the least of most people’s worries. Or maybe it is just the distraction that people need. Either way it is on at the moment.
Although it remains to be seen how many of the games will go ahead, with only the games in Cairns and Townsville safe at this stage.
The Intrust Super Cup Round 5 doubles as the Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation round, and the timing couldn’t be better as many in Queensland will be hoping to see a rainbow or two and sunlight coming out of the clouds after a week of wild weather.
The initiative is part of the charity partnership between the QRL, Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation and the James Ackerman Family Trust Fund and more can be found at http://www.zaidee.org/.
The competition could be barely tighter at this point of the season as 10 teams are currently within 2 points of each other. Early days yes, but a few teams risk getting cut adrift if they don’t register a win this weekend.
Below is a quick rundown of all this weekend’s fixtures, click on the link to get the full preview or teams, or for a full list of games, results and ladder via our Intrust Super Cup Match Centre.
The weekend kicks off at Bishop Park between two sides that have surprised so far in 2017 between Norths Devils and the Central Capras. The Capras have two wins are were impressive in an earlier loss to PNG, Norths took that to the next level by defeating the Hunters in PNG last weekend. The Devils have just welcomed Chris Sandow into the side too.
A heavyweight clash in Townsville awaits on Saturday afternoon as the Blackhawks take on the Easts Tigers. The Tigers will have to turn around an ordinary record in the northern city as they have lost both games there for a combined 86-16. Townsville are coming off their first loss of the season, and Tigers on a run of two wins.
The Sunshine Coast arrive home after an impressive run of two wins on the road in Cairns and Ipswich and the Falcons next test is the visit of the Wynnum Seagulls. Wynnum unbeaten start to the season was stopped by the Cutters last weekend and are one of five teams on 3 wins and 1 loss. The Falcons, one point further back can overtake them this weekend with a win.
Two recent former premiers meet in Cairns, the Northern Pride and Burleigh Bears, and there’s just the one win between them so far in 2017. A loss for the Bears will make September football a tough prospect, but their hopes may improve as the Titans injury crisis improves.
The Saturday night games finish in Mackay, although whether the game will go ahead is a big question. If the Mackay Cutters and PNG Hunters game does go ahead it should be a good one. Both of these teams surprised last weekend. The Cutters return after surprising Wynnum last weekend, and the Hunters keen to atone for a surprise home loss to the in form Devils.
The TV cameras rollin into Dolphin Oval as the Redcliffe Dolphins take on the Ipswich Jets. Big name star Benji Marshall is named at fullback, and that isn’t great news for the Jets who have just the solitary win for 2017. Redcliffe come into the game with confidence after a 18-6 win against Townsville last Saturday night.
Tweed Heads Seagulls take on the Souths Logan Magpies back at their traditional home of Piggabeen, and need to get their first win of the season soon. Souths Logan are looking to make it two wins on the Gold Coast in consecutive weeks after sneaking home against Burleigh last weekend.
Intrust Super Cup Match Centre
You can follow the action, results and ladder from Round 5 and all the rounds via our Intrust Super Cup Match Centre.
Intrust Super Cup Round 5 Tips from the Team
How much of an expert are our experts? Find out and follow our tips below. This year we have no less than the CEO of Intrust Super Brendan O’Farrell and Channel Nine’s expert commentator Scott Sattler.
Brendan O’Farrell – CEO Intrust Super
Townsville Blackhawks
Norths Devils
Sunshine Coast Falcons
Northern Pride
PNG Hunters
Redcliffe Dolphins
Souths Logan Magpies
Scott Sattler – Channel 9 and Penrith Legend
Townsville Blackhawks
Norths Devils
Sunshine Coast Falconsa
Northern Pride
PNG Hunters
Redcliffe Dolphins
Souths Logan Magpies
Dan White – Northern Queensland Contributor
Townsville Blackhawks
Norths Devils
Sunshine Coast Falcons
Burleigh Bears
Mackay Cutters
Redcliffe Dolphins
Souths Logan Magpies
Matt Crowhurst – Tigers TV
Easts Tigers
Norths Devils
Sunshine Coast Falcons
Northern Pride
Mackay Cutters
Redcliffe Dolphins
Souths Logan Magpies
Shannon Meyer – Contributor
Townsville Blackhawks
Norths Devils
Sunshine Coast Falcons
Northern Pride
PNG Hunters
Redcliffe Dolphins
Souths Logan Magpies
SEASON TIPPING RESULTS
| Tipster | CORRECT | GAMES | % | Last Weekend |
| Scott Sattler | 19 | 28 | 68% | 4 |
| Shannon Meyer | 16 | 28 | 57% | 3 |
| Brendan O Farrell | 15 | 28 | 54% | 1 |
| Matt Crowhurst | 15 | 28 | 54% | 4 |
| Dan White | 14 | 28 | 50% | 0 |
