Bears player facing lengthy stint on sideline after being handed a six game ban

A colts rugby league player could miss around a third of the regular season after being charged with two offences, including striking, in a trial game.

A pair of Bears rising stars are facing extended periods on the sidelines to kickstart the colts campaign after both were charged for striking in a recent trial clash.

Middle forward Carsen Patu and backrower Jesse Tu’inukuafe face five and three match suspensions respectively if found guilty, with both able to miss one less match with an early plea.

With only 16 regular season games in the season the five-game ban would put Patu out for around a third of the year.

The incident took place in the club’s trial against Western Clydesdales on Saturday in the contest’s dying stages, shortly after Patu was penalised and placed on report for a dangerous throw.

Burleigh Bears player Carsen Patu. Picture: Scott Powick Newscorp

The Clydesdale’s Patrick O’Callaghan was also charged with contrary conduct at the same time, and will escape with an official warning with an early guilty plea.

At the time the clash, a 38-10 defeat for the Bears, the game did not appear to be played with any extra heat or intensity. Rather a quick moment of flare between the two sides ensued in response to a hard hitting tackle and the reactions to the hit that followed.

Two minutes later, by the time the full-time whistle blew, it was all handshakes and hugs between the two teams.

Burleigh coach Matt Foster said they would accept the early guilty plea for the players from the incident, learn from the mistakes and move forward.

“The only thing I want to say on record they’ve had a look at it, they’ve handed down their punishment and we’ve accepted it,” Foster said.

“We learn and move on.”

Burleigh Bears player Carsen Patu. Picture: Scott Powick Newscorp

Meanwhile Bears QRLW lock Sophie Buller will face three games on the sidelines if found guilty of a dangerous contact charge at the judiciary.

The 22-year-old will need to argue her case if she is to line up against the Capras on Saturday afternoon, fresh off a barnstorming performance in the Round One 28-14 triumph over Norths Devils.

Buller, who has been on the cusp of Titans selection in the past having been a part of the 2022 NRLW squad, proved her worth last weekend once again; running for 142m while making 18 tackles.

While Buller laid the platform upfront, the Bears outside backs ran riot, with Felice Quinlan extending her try scoring streak to eight tries in her past five games.

Burleigh’s Queensland Cup outfit left their 30-24 victory over the Devils with no suspension worries, and will head into the bye this weekend full of steam.

Lock forward Sam Coster picked up where he left off from last season, scoring a try and making 40 tackles for no misses to go with 110m.

Burleigh fans also got a glimpse into the future, with rookie fullback Keano Kini dazzling with 247m and a try assist in a debut to remember.

Fellow Titans youngster Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui also shone in the starting side, running for 153m while making 29 tackles.

His efforts are set the reward him with an NRL debut, having been named on the Titans bench for their forthcoming clash against the Melbourne Storm at Cbus Super Stadium.

Meanwhile, Tweed are set to welcome back Will Brimson from a one-game suspension picked up at the end of last season in their clash with the Clydesdales.

The Seagulls had their hearts broken in the dying stages of their clash against the Capras, with an Anthony Milford field goal in the 78th minute icing the 23-22 contest.

Tweed QCup debutants Malachi Morgan and Jaylan De Groot both crossed for their first tries at this level, while Klese Haas pushed his case for a recall into Titans coach Justin Holbrook’s side by topping the running metres for the Piggabeen men with 121.

The fact he also made 29 tackles and played the full 80 minutes will no doubt catch the NRL squad’s attention, and he has been named as Holbrook’s 19th man for this week’s clash.

The Seagulls only suspension concern across the club will be for Mal Meninga Cup star Jett Jackson for a dangerous throw, however an early guilty plea will only warrant an official warning.

STATE LEAGUE RESULTS

Queensland Cup Round One

Burleigh Bears 30 (C Toia, T Steadman, S Sauiluma, T Francis, S Coster tries; T Steadman 4 goals) def. Norths Devils 24 (J Ahern, B Piakura, T Tumusa, J Reuben tries; C Broadhurst 4 goals)

Tweed Seagulls 22 (J De Groot, L Perrett, K Ngamanu, M Morgan tries; T Sexton 3 goals) def. by Capras 23 (K Nikorima, O Gildart, A Milford, T Farr tries; T Browne 3 goals; A Milford field goal)

Queensland Cup Women’s Round One

Burleigh Bears 28 (F Quinlan, T Egan, C Lenarduzzi, C Ah Fook, A Quinlan tries; Z Temara 4 goals) def. Norths Devils 14 (A Biggenshaw, G Tuitaalii, S Ciesiolka tries; H Maddick goal)

Tweed Seagulls 4 (G Murray-Fiu try) def. by Capras 22 (T Smith, M Storch, R Beardmore, K Sulter tries; M Storch 3 goals)

Harvey Norman Under 19 Girls Round Four

Burleigh Bears 38 (A Wallace 3, A Manapori, P Turner-Rau, M Taylor, S Norris tries; K Browning 5 goals) def Norths Devils 18 (J Jackson, A Walters, G Giampino tries; T Jackson 3 goals)

Tweed Seagulls 18 (P Hippi 2, S Perkham tries; A Watson 3 goals) def. by Wynnum Manly Seagulls 34 (P Peters 2, D Mino-Sinapati 2, E Barnes, A McCarthy tries; A McCarthy 5 goals)

Mal Meninga Cup Round Four

Burleigh Bears 18 (S Karma, J Panui, J Schmidt, N Saaga tries; Z Tarawa-Herlihy goal) def by Norths Devils 20 (H Hill 2, B Norris, J Kake tries; Z Herdegen 2 goals)

Tweed Seagulls 16 (M Barber, I Scanlan, T Ploegsma tries; B Simpson 2 goals) def. by Wynnum Manly Seagulls 40 (J Havea 2, J Trappett, B Allen, H Armstrong, S Innes, J Kingston-Francis, C Black tries; C Black 4 goals)

Cyril Connell Challenge Round Four

Burleigh Bears 36 (M Igasan 2, J Damro, M Igasan, S Gundry, D Bryenton, R Dickson tries; D Rakena 6 goals) def Norths Devils 4 (L Rossetti try)

Tweed Seagulls 0 def. by Wynnum Manly Seagulls 16 (M Peachey, T Simpkins, R Baker tries; A Wilson 2 goals)

UPCOMING FIXTURES

Queensland Cup Round Two

Burleigh Bears vs Bye

Tweed Seagulls vs Western Clydesdales Saturday March 18 5pm @ Clive Berghofer Stadium

Queensland Cup Women’s Round Two

Burleigh Bears vs Central Queensland Capras Saturday March 18 3pm @ UAA Park

Tweed Seagulls vs Mackay Cutters Saturday March 18 5pm @ BB Print Stadium

Harvey Norman U19 Girls Round Five

Burleigh Bears vs Bye

Tweed Seagulls vs Souths Logan Magpies Saturday March 18 3pm @ Logan Metro Football Fields

Mal Meninga Cup Round Five

Burleigh Bears vs Bye

Tweed Seagulls vs Souths Logan Magpies Saturday March 18 1.30pm @ Logan Metro Football Fields

Cyril Connell Challenge Round Five

Burleigh Bears vs Bye

Tweed Seagulls vs Souths Logan Magpies Saturday March 18 12pm @ Logan Metro Football Fields

Originally published as Bears player facing lengthy stint on sideline after being handed a six game ban