The Tweed Seagulls ended the season of one Melbourne Storm affiliate club in the Hostplus Cup last weekend and they’ll get the chance to repeat the dose on Saturday.
The Brisbane Tigers’ premiership bid came to an end with a 24-18 loss to the Seagulls in a week one elimination final, reversing the result when the two teams met in the final round of the season.
Sunshine Coast Falcons were sent into elimination football when they were beaten 22-16 by the Redcliffe Dolphins, who advanced straight to the preliminary final along with the Norths Devils.
Storm’s Jayden Nikorima scored a 62nd minute try off a kick into the in-goal from Jonah Pezet to set up an 18-16 lead for the Tigers in a see-sawing contes.
However, two tries in a seven-minute period sent Tweed through to week two of the finals.
The highlight of the Falcons’ night was a spectacular try set up by Sua Fa’alogo for his Melbourne teammate Young Tonumaipea. The teenager grabbed the ball on halfway and beat six defenders before putting in a pinpoint crosskick for the right centre.
The 70th minute try brought the Coast to within six points but they couldn’t find an equaliser, going down 22-16.
Storm’s Jack Howarth ran for a team-high 159 metres for the Falcons.
The Falcons v Tweed match will be at Sunshine Coast Stadium at 11am on Saturday with the winner advancing to a preliminary final against Norths. Television coverage will be provided on Fox Sports/Kayo.
Storm player stats
Jordan Grant – 59 minutes, 13 runs for 136m, 59 post-contact metres, 38 tackles
Jayden Nikorima – 80 minutes – 1 try, 22 runs for 172m, 49 post-contact metres, 2 offloads, 18 tackles
Bronson Garlick – 80 minutes, 11 runs for 85m, 3 tackle breaks, 3 offloads, 30 tackles
Jonah Pezet – 51 minutes – 3 goals, 8 runs for 43m, 1 try assist, 17 tackles
Young Tonumaipea – 80 minutes – 1 try, 14 runs for 110m, 42 post-contact metres, 1 linebreak assist, 3 tackle breaks
Sua Fa’alogo – 80 minutes -10 runs for 147m, 46 post-contact metres, 1 linebreak, 1 try assist, 9 tackle breaks
Grant Anderson – 80 minutes – 13 runs for 131m, 56 post-contact metres, 4 tackle breaks
Will Warbrick – 80 minutes, 14 runs for 150m, 48 post-contact metres, 1 linebreak, 4 tackle breaks
Jack Howarth – 80 minutes, 14 runs for 159m, 72 post-contact metres, 6 tackle breaks, 3 offloads, 25 tackles
Tepai Moeroa – 55 minutes – 9 runs for 82m, 32 post-contact metres, 32 tackles
