Finals spots are on the line as Wynnum Manly and Easts reignite their local rivalry in Round 23

FINALS spots are on the line as the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and Easts Tigers reignite their local rivalry in our Round 23 Intrust Super Cup preview.

Melbourne Storm contracted Brodie Croft will suit up for the Tigers this weekend.

A HEATED local rivalry could decide the fate of two teams as the finals race heats up in Round 23 of the Intrust Super Cup.

The Wynnum Manly Seagulls, who sit ninth on the ladder, will fight to keep their slim finals chances alive when they host the fifth-placed Easts Tigers at BMD Kougari Oval.

Easts player Dane Chang is one to watch against the Seagulls.

But without a win in the past four rounds and with the Sunshine Coast Falcons and Souths Logan Magpies fast approaching, the Tigers need a win to take a step closer to sealing their spot in the top six.

Easts coach Scott Sipple said there was nothing like a clash against their local rivals to help his team rediscover form.

“Wynnum definitely bring the best out in us, that’s for sure,” he said.

“Their home fans get right into it with the Chook Pen and that so it’s always fun playing there and I’m sure the boys will be up for the challenge.

“This game is a must win for them as well as us. If they lose, they’re basically out of finals and if we lose, we’ll probably drop out of the top six, so it’s an important one.”

Seagulls playmaker Mathew Seamark will look to lead his side to victory against Easts.

Both teams are looking to bounce back after disappointing losses last round. Easts fell to league-leaders Redcliffe while Wynnum Manly lost another game against a team out of the finals race in the Norths Devils.

Sipple said controlling the ball was the key for his team against the Seagulls.

Kick-off is at 3pm.

NORTHS DEVILS (11th) versus MACKAY CUTTERS (14th) — Saturday, 4pm at Bishop Park

THE Norths Devils will look to continue the form which saw them upset the Wynnum Manly Seagulls last week when they host cellar dwellers, the Mackay Cutters on Saturday.

Norths have had an inconsistent season at best this season but were at their best in the 38-26 victory at home last week but Mackay have also found form in recent weeks.

The Cutters have struggled in 2016 and sit at the bottom of the ladder but have recorded wins over Wynnum Manly and Tweed Heads in the last three rounds.

With both teams out of the finals race, the Devils and Cutters are playing for pride and Norths may be too much at home to record their eighth win of the season.

IPSWICH JETS (8th) versus REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS (1st) — Saturday, 4pm at North Ipswich Reserve

IPSWICH need to record one of the upsets of the season to keep their hopes of defending their title alive.

The Jets sit on 22 points, three points away from the sixth-placed Sunshine Coast, and face one of the toughest tasks in the Intrust Super Cup in hosting the ruthless Redcliffe Dolphins on Saturday.

Redcliffe are on a roll after jumping ahead of the Burleigh Bears into top spot following a dominant win over the Easts Tigers last round and ending the Jets’ finals hopes would all but seal the minor premiership for Adam Mogg’s group.

The Dolphins may be without flyer Jonus Pearson, who starred in the victory over the Tigers in Round 22, as the try scoring machine may replace Lachlan Maranta in the Brisbane Broncos team to play the Eels at Suncorp Stadium tonight.

SC FALCONS (6th) versus CQ CAPRAS (12th) — Sunday, 1.40pm at Sunshine Coast Stadium (Channel 9)

THE Sunshine Coast Falcons will host the Central Queensland Capras on Sunday in what is a danger game for Craig Ingebrigtsen’s side.

Sunshine Coast currently hold the coveted sixth spot on the ladder with the Souths Logan Magpies just one point behind. But the Magpies will collect two competition points from the bye this weekend and will jump ahead of the Falcons if they lose at home.

The Falcons are rested and ready to go after having the bye in Round 22 but the Capras are coming off an impressive performance despite losing to the Magpies last week.

Central Queensland pushed Souths Logan all the way but lost 24-22.