Storm fullback Sua Fa’alogo scored the match-winning try for Sunshine Coast Falcons who came from behind to defeat Norths Devils 28-24 in the Hostplus Cup match at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Sunday.
Fa’alogo pounced on a short kick to touch down in the 68th minute after Norths had taken a 24-22 lead 10 minutes earlier.
His Storm teammates Tyran Wishart and Jayden Nikorima also made it onto the tryscorers’ list as the Falcons posted their fifth win in seven games to keep their grip on a top-four spot heading into a bye this weekend.
The Coast had to fightback from a sluggish start which left them 18-4 down at the half-hour mark. Three tries in an eight-minute period either side of halftime gave the home side the lead in what turned out to be a see-sawing second half.
Also on Sunday, Brisbane Tigers overcame the loss of Storm halfback Jonah Pezet to beat the Townsville Blackhawks 36-18 at Totally Workwear Stadium.
The NSW Under-20s Origin representative suffered a fractured collarbone early in the second half and will be sidelined for around six weeks.
Pezet had been a dominant figure until his injury, including scoring a try just before halftime, with his running game on full display (14 runs for 127 metres).
His Storm teammate Joe Chan produced one of his best performances of the season, grabbing a try and gaining 167 metres in attack in his 80-minute performance, while Jordan Grant ran for an impressive 182 metres, including 67 post-contact metres.
After missing out on NRL action the previous night, Tariq Sims scored a try and ran for 156 metres but also was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle in the first half.
The sixth-placed Tigers face Norths this Sunday at Bishop Park.
