Burleigh Bears to walk into intimidating Kougari Oval

One of the most intimidating crowds in Queensland Rugby League to go to a new level for the home side’s Intrust Super Cup preliminary final this weekend.

Wynnum Manly Seagulls skipper Mitch Cronin and playmaker Patrick Templeman. Picture: AAP/Renae Droop

BURLEIGH Bears — welcome to fortress Kougari.

The Wynnum Manly Seagulls are hoping to emulate the famous scenes of the 2012 preliminary final against Tweed Heads, this Sunday when they host the Bears in the first week of finals.

It was back then when one of the biggest crowds ever packed into Kougari Oval and the club wants to recreate that atmosphere.

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Wynnum Manly have been almost unbeatable at home, losing just one game on the bayside this season.

And as the club prepares to play finals for the first time since 2015, captain Mitch Cronin said playing at home was a bigger advantage for the Seagulls than any other team in the competition.

Wynnum Manly Seagulls captain Mitch Cronin. Picture: AAP/Renae Droop

“Getting a home semi is massive for us, we’ve only lost one game at home all year and that’s because the fans really get behind us,” he said.

“We’re expecting it will be packed out this weekend.

“Everyone talks about the crowds when they won back-to-back titles and we want to see that and really make it intimidating for teams to play us here, especially since it’s finals.”

The famous Wynnum Manly Chook Pen. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker

The revamped Seagulls have been impressive this season, winning 18 out of 23 games to stamp themselves as one of the premiership favourites heading into the finals.

Wynnum Manly will head into the match against Burleigh in form after a 30-6 demolition of the Norths Devils at the weekend.

“We haven’t played finals since 2015 so Everyone’s really excited and there’s definitely a buzz around the whole club,” Cronin said.

“Finishing second on the ladder has given us a lot of confidence that we can now push for a premiership.

“It’s a very close competition so we’ll have to go up a level but there’s definitely a belief we can do it.

“We’ve shown week in and week out that when we’re on we’re very hard to handle and the team is pretty focused leading into these finals.”

Wynnum Manly Seagulls coach Adam Brideson. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker

The Seagulls lost to Burleigh the only time they played them this season but coach Adam Brideson, who will take part in his first finals series, said his group had improved a lot since then.

“This is just a really hard working group that know what they need to do to get the job done and that definitely gives you confidence heading into the finals,” he said.

“We’ve had great support at home with the Chook Pen and everything all year and I’m sure the Wynnum fans will get behind us bigger than ever this weekend.

“Burleigh are a really tough team and will be a very tough challenge.”

TEAM CHEMISTRY SIMILAR TO PREMIERSHIP GROUP

Wynnum Manly Seagulls CEO Hanan Laban has likened the current group’s team chemistry to the feeling within the squad during the club’s back-to-back premierships in 2011 and 2012.

This year’s Seagulls team is arguably the most talented team since 2014, when the likes of Jake Granville, Jordan Kahu and David Stagg were running around.

But Laban said one quality that stands out with this team is the chemistry they have built with each other over the course of the season.

“I think team chemistry is really important and I think these guys definitely have it, similar to those teams in 2011 and 2012,” he said.

“I think what really shows that is their defence and how they’re just willing to have each other’s backs and help each other out.

“Usually teams, who are good in defence are teams who have good chemistry.”

Wynnum's Sam Scarlett. Picture: Alix Sweeney

The Seagulls locked in to have at least two finals at Kougari Oval with a win this weekend against Burleigh meaning they will host a preliminary final.

Laban has no doubts this team is capable of winning a premiership and he said the team’s leadership will hold them in good stead in pressure situations throughout the finals. “One thing that has really stood out with this group is the standards the leaders of this group set for everyone,” he said.

“From Mitch Cronin to Sam Scarlett and Aaron Rockley, these guys all lead by example and it starts at training and that transfers to the games. I think that is another big advantage for us.”

Kick-off at Kougari Oval is at 2pm Sunday.