Here’s the third of our series of Intrust Super Cup previews starting with Norths Devils, Wynnum Manly Seagulls and Souths Logan Magpies.
NORTHS DEVILS
Last Year: 11th
2017 Premiership Odds: $23
TEAM INS AND OUTS
Gains: Delouise Hoeter (Townsville Blackhawks), Stephen Coombe (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Rajan Opetaia-Halls (Northern Pride), Greg Miglio (Northern Pride), Travis Peeters (Northern Pride), Menmuny Murgha (Northern Pride), Dane Chang (Easts Tigers), Dalton Phillips (Mackay Cutters), Javarn White (Easts Tigers), Paul Tuli (New Zealand Warriors), James Taylor (South Newcastle), Tama Koopu (Newcastle Knights), Usaia O’Sullivan (Wagga Wagga), Kalolo Saitaua (Brisbane Broncos), Mattias Heimuli (New Zealand Warriors), Tui Oloapu (Parramatta Eels), Kurt French (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Jayden Rosberg (Newcastle Knights), Che Faalafi (West Brisbane Panthers), Chris Sandow (Super League), Korbin Sims (Broncos)
Losses: Jayden Berrell (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Maeli Seve (Easts Tigers), Matt Mizzi (released), Kristian Wanka (released), Sean Yorston (Sunshine Coast Falcons), Billy Solah (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Jarrod Blanke (released)
FIRST THREE GAMES
Home v Townsville – Sunday 5th March 3:30pm
Away v Burleigh – Saturday 11th March 4pm
Home v Ipswich – Sunday 19th March 3pm
2017 SEASON PREDICTION
13th
PLAYER TO WATCH
Chris Sandow – a late arrival into the gains for the Devils in 2017 and will rival Benji Marshall for the Intrust Super Cup headlines in the mainstream media this season. On the comeback trail after leaving the Super League at the end of 2016, and after two fights in his fledgling boxing career (one in the ring and the other on the streets in Cherbourg), Sandow’s move to Norths at least shows some commitment to get back into the NRL. For all his ability, he will need that commitment to survive and thrive in the Intrust Super Cup.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN 2017
A lot of gains has now been bolstered by the previously discussed arrival of Chris Sandow, but there is still a lot of quality among those coming to the club. Former Townsville Blackhawk Delouise Hoeter and Easts Tiger Javarn White look the pick of crop of newcomers.
The Devils have missed out on the finals since their last appearance in 2012 and have gradually got further away from that September footy with a 11th place finish in 2016, but with a large influx of new talent it could be just the spark the Devils need.
They have been allocated Broncos Fringe player Korbin Sims, but it seems far less likely that he will don the blues of Norths in 2017 given his pre season form.
Some may draw some lines between doubts on Ben Hunt and Chris Sandow’s arrival at the Devils, but surely Sandow won’t be looking that far ahead just yet as he acclimatises to the Queensland Cup. But he has ability to burn and is a tough customer too. Potential to be the revelation of the 2017 Intrust Super Cup season. Also potential to be a three game aborted mission, but hopefully for him and Norths that won’t be the case, as there could be loads of entertainment on offer at Bishop Park this season.
WYNNUM SEAGULLS
Last Year: 10th
2017 Premiership Odds: $11
TEAM INS AND OUTS
Gains: Travis Burns (St Helens), Mitchell Frei (Sydney Roosters), Jayden Berrell (Norths Devils / Brisbane Broncos), Will Brimson (Brisbane Broncos), Max Elliott (Brisbane Broncos), Paora Kemp (St George Illawarra Dragons), Bill Solah (Norths Devils), Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard (Brisbane Broncos), Mitchell Dodds (Warrington/Broncos))
Also: Coach Adam Brideson replacing Jon Buchanan.
Losses: Stephen Coombe (Norths Devils), Jon Grieve (Sunshine Coast Falcons – midseason), Nick Harrold (Tweed Heads Seagulls), Tim Natusch (retired), Magnus Stromquist (Mounties), Greg Eden (Castleford)
FIRST THREE GAMES
Away v Souths Logan Magpies – Sunday 5th March 2pm
Home v Northern Pride – Saturday 11th March 6pm
v Tweed Heads @ North Stradbroke Island – Sunday 19th March 12:40pm
2017 SEASON PREDICTION
7th – improvement on 2016, but just miss out on finals.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Travis Burns – the 200+ game veteran of NRL and Super League is the big name off season signing. Before Benji Marshall was signed to the Broncos with an Intrust Super Cup side the likely destination, the former Manly, North Queensland and Penrith star would be been the biggest off season signing. Where the versatile Burns plays will be a point of interest, but the extra experience and quality will be a real plus for Wynnum in 2017.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN 2017
Hopefully for Wynnum fans they start off their 2017 campaign better than the previous season. They began with 6 straight losses, and having 0 points at that stage of the year would make finals a tough prospect, which it proved.
But for a team so used to finals series participation and grand final wins, you can’t imagine that start or end result for too many seasons.
The Seagulls seem to prosper better than most out of the Broncos affiliation, although they did miss out Benji Marshall, not from a lack of trying. The Ins are still impressive with Mitchell Dodds returning to Australia and the Broncos via Wynnum. They also welcome back Mitchell Frei after his stint with the Roosters in 2016 that saw him play 6 times in the NRL. That in addition to the previously mentioned Travis Burns.
Will they start of 2017 similar to 2016? Unlikely. Will they ultimately improve on 2016 and make the finals this season? Wait and see.
SOUTHS LOGAN MAPGIES
Last Year: 7th
2017 Premiership Odds: $13
TEAM INS AND OUTS
Gains: Matt Minto (CQ Capras), Lenny Magey (Townsville Blackhawks), Kyle McConnell (Ipswich), Evander Cummins (Redcliffe Dolphins), Jordan Scott (Gold Coast Titans NYC), Simione Fatafehi (Gold Coast Titans NYC), Connor Toia (Burleigh Bears), Tautau Moga (Broncos Fringe player), Brandy Peter (PNG Hunters).
Also: Coach Jon Buchanan from Wynnum replacing Josh Hannay.
Losses: Jack Joass (Mackay Cutters), Joe Ofahengaue and Marion Seve (Broncos Fringe players to Ipswich)
FIRST THREE GAMES
Home v Wynnum – Sunday 5th March 2pm
Away v Sunshine Coast – Saturday 11th March 4:30pm
Home v PNG Hunters – Sunday 19th March 2pm
2017 SEASON PREDICTION
8th – missing the finals again, just.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Matt Minto – one of the reasons for the Capras turn around in form and a key off season recruit for the Magpies. He will provide real quality in the halves.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN 2017
The Magpies fell just short of a top 6 and finals place in 2016, surprising many by missing out on the finals by points difference to the Easts Tigers. The question is can they go one or many better in 2017?
They have a new head coach in Jon Buchanan, who was let go by the Wynnum Seagulls after their less than successful 2017. The former Seagulls boss has led Wynnum to finals, and is also highly rated by the QRL as he was appointed Qld Residents coach for 2017. So they have that experience that may be that little bit extra they need in 2017.
They have lost out on 2016 fringe Broncos players Joe Ofahengaue and Marion Seve, but have nabbed the highly rated Tautau Moga. PNG discard Brandy Peter also joins the Magpies, but the biggest off season recruit is the excellent Matt Minto from the Capras.
