Sandor Earl returns as Falcons edge out Magpies
Matt Pritchard was live at Sunshine Coast Stadium as Sandor Earl returned to the game after five years.
Sandor Earl has made a successful return to rugby league for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in their 14-8 victory over Souths Logan Magpies at the Sunshine Coast Stadium.
1,749 days have passed since Earl pulled on a jersey. The former Rooster, Panther and Raider was introduced into the match at the twenty-minute mark. There were some good early signs of involvement and nerves as he came out of the defensive line to apply pressure to the Magpies attack, but ended up with the opening try to Dan Russell.
It was a scrappy affair with neither side able to stamp their authority in a half which ended level at four points apiece thanks to two penalty conversions from Ryan Papenhuyzen. The Falcons could have taken an early lead if it wasn’t for Papenhuyzen’s penalty conversion from directly in front being waved away.
Shortly after the Falcons scored their opening try through Jacob Hind which was followed by Matt Soper-Lawler’s four-pointer in the corner to give the home side a ten point advantage.
Earl’s night ended with twenty minutes remaining, a solid forty minute effort after almost five years out of the game, acknowledged by coach Craig Ingebrigsten post-game.
Marion Seve’s try with sixteen minutes to go revived the Magpies hopes and pressure late in the game almost resulted in a chance to level scores. However, it was excellent goal line defence and a brilliant game by Harry Grant that saw the Falcons come away with victory.
It wasn’t quite the result Souths Logan were looking for with hooker Travis Waddell celebrating his 100th Intrust Super Cup game.
SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 14 (Jacob Hind, Matt Soper-Lawler tries; Ryan Papenhuyzen 3 goals) defeated SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 8 (Dan Russell, Marion Seve tries) at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
