Sunshine Coast Falcons head coach Brad Henderson eager for 2024 Queensland Cup finals campaign
The Sunshine Coast Falcons have secured their spot in the finals with head coach Brad Henderson opening up on his side’s regular season, squad adaptability and standout players as they look to hammer down their premiership credentials.
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The Sunshine Coast Falcons are ready to make their mark on the 2024 Queensland Cup season after finishing in fourth place at the end of the regular season.
Led by head coach Brad Henderson, captain Patrice Siolo and vice-captain Sam Burns, the Falcons have strung together 12 wins and eight losses this season in what has been one of the closest competitions in recent times.
In a very tight battle for a place in the finals, just three points separated the Falcons from ninth position and they also are just one win from second spot.
With just three losses in 2024, minor premiers Northern Pride have been the clear standouts of the competition as they remain undefeated at home with 11 wins.
The Falcons have met the Pride twice this season which resulted in a 32-10 win at home in round four followed by a 38-18 loss in round 21.
“They were two really different games I’d say as both were geared up to advantage the home team in a sense with all of that travel,” Henderson said.
“They’re a really physical side and have had the same two halves all year up until now with Jake Clifford rejoining the Cowboys in recent weeks.
“They’ve got a big, mobile forward pack that gets them going forward really well matched with their discipline and defence systems, they’re the best defensive team for a reason.”
A loss on Saturday will mean the Falcons will play in a home semi-final next weekend while a win would see them progress to a home preliminary final in two weeks time.
The Falcons have been stripped of home field advantage for the past six rounds but Henderson said he was focused on securing a major victory this weekend.
“Home games have been pretty rare, that’s fair to say,” he said with a laugh.
“I know this week feels like a free hit but our plan is to go up there and win and then in two weeks time host a home semi-final.
“Second prize is a home game next weekend which isn’t horrible but you need to be winning games at this time of the year.
“Finals wins are an added energy you feed and grow off so we certainly want to go up there and win and I think we’re capable of it.”
Falcons captain Patrice Siolo will remain on the sidelines for the clash against the Pride as he serves the final week of his two game suspension.
Henderson said despite Siolo’s absence, the squad had done a terrific job this season at adapting to player availability and selection.
The former Canterbury Bulldogs coach said the Falcons had used roughly 35 players this season, a decrease from 44 in 2023.
At the beginning of the season the Melbourne Storm added a third feeder club to their operations with NSW Cup side North Sydney Bears joining existing affiliations with the Falcons and the Brisbane Tigers.
Throughout the opening 20 regular season matches the Falcons have welcomed an average of 3.5 Storm contracted players each week.
NRL names like Chris Lewis, Young Tonumaipea and recent debutant Lazarus Vaalepu have been somewhat mainstays in the Falcons line-ups this season but Henderson was most impressed by local halves combination Luke Polselli and Cody Hunter.
“The consistency in our key positions, the spine in particular, this season have all been local guys which has been really beneficial for us,” Henderson said.
“Last year we were getting both halves each week from Melbourne but weren’t able to train with them so to have at least one, if not both guys at training and on game day has made our preparation a lot easier.
“In saying that we do miss those top end NRL guys from time to time particularly when it’s a game that needs blowing open.”
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