An Alternative 2019 Intrust Super Cup Season Preview

A new season of Intrust Super Cup rugby league is not far away, and so we offer up our Alternative 2019 Intrust Super Cup Season Preview.

We could wax lyrical about how great following the Intrust Super Cup, and how much better the matchday experience is, with laid back ground, affordable everything, and a competition that at times is not far off the big names of the NRL.

Another source of pride following the Intrust Super Cup is seeing the recent graduation of so many from the Intrust Super Cup sides to the NRL teams in Queensland and Melbourne.

For the brightest examples look at AJ Brimson at the Titans, Jake Clifford at the Pride, and the huge group of forwards to have learned their trade at Davies Park before cementing their places with the Broncos. Throw in Jamayne Isaako, and you have a top shelf bunch of recent recruits from the Intrust Super Cup.

We should do all of that, and we will, but there’s a 2019 Intrust Super Cup Season Preview we need to get through.

There’s hopefully enough information from our 2019 Intrust Super Cup Season Preview to get you started for the season ahead.

If you don’t have a team to follow, why not take our Personality test to find yourself an Intrust Super Cup team for 2019 and beyond.

TAKE THE ADOPT AN INTRUST SUPER CUP TEAM TEST NOW.

2019 Intrust Super Cup Season General Points of Interest

• The 2019 Intrust Super Cup Season will see a top eight introduced for the finals series for the first time. It will follow the NRL model.
• TV Broadcast games have moved back to Sunday – where they belong – as Channel Nein decide probably worked out here’s no point covering something that no one can watch.
• Fox Sports will help out with the broadcasting of the finals series, so fans can see more than one game at the sharp end of the season.
• Country Week is Round 18 on July 20/21
• The 2019 Draw can be found here for future reference.
• PNG Hunters fans can follow the team each week and their 2019 draw here.
• You can actually see the PNG Hunters on TV this season, unlike the pisspoor effort in 2018, in Round 15 the Hunters game in Cairns is televised.

2019 Intrust Super Cup Season Preview – Team by Team

Here is our rundown of each team ahead of the 2019 Intrust Super Cup season. For something completely different, this year we have put them in geographic order from north to south.

PNG HUNTERS

2018 Result: 7th
2019 Premiership Odds: $51

No club has lost as much experience and quality out of their 2018 squad than the PNG Hunters have for the upcoming 2019 Intrust Super Cup season. But it is up for argument whether the mass exodus is a good or bad thing. 

Sure we will miss the players we have grown to love, especially Willie Minoga, but in their place come an exciting new batch of potential new favourites. Mostly continuing the great work from the PNG Hunters previously by promoting local talent from their national competition.

Some may remember Bland Abavu as regular of the PNG Hunters in previous season, including the 2017 grand final winning side. He is the big name of the ins for the Hunters for the 2019 Intrust Super Cup season. But it’s more about name you don’t know, and our one we’re keeping an eye on for the new season is Joe Joshua.

In the absence of the Boas brother creativity in the halves, Charlie Simon – who was impressive at times in 2018 will likely take over as the main man in the halves. He has the quality to do cover for the Boas brothers, but the big mystery is whether there’s a superstar or two in the new recruits. We hope there is, and more.

To find out more about the PNG Hunters draw for 2019, or to follow them throughout the season, find your way to our 2019 PNG Hunters Draw link.

Trials Form: Anthony Seibold sadly cancelled a planned trial against a Broncos side.
Trials Form: The Hunters were involved in a tri series  against some Digicel Cup sides. A win and a draw were the results from the half games.

IN AND OUT

GAINS: Gairo Kapana, Epel Kapinias (Rabaul Gurias), Shane Haro, Kevin Appo (Pom Vipers), Joe Joshua, Junior Rop (Lae Tigers), Daniel Tapol, Jerry Teme (Hela Wigmen), Brendon Nima, Nick Hasu (Goroka Lahanis), Joe Frank (Waghi Tumbe), Woods Kawage (Enga Mioks), Rex Kaupa (Southern Confederate), Justin Yoka, Jordon Pat (Highlands Confederate), Bland Abavu (Fassifern Bombers), Jack Oii (PRL).

LOSSES: Stargroth Amean, Wartovo Puara, Willie Minoga (Barrow Raiders), Ase Boas, Watson Boas, Thompson Teteh (Featherstone Rovers), Rahdly Brawa, Edene Gebbie (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Brendon Gotuno (Penrith Panthers), Adam Korave, Muka Peter Kulu, Junior Bobby, Clyde Name, John Andy, Julius Yakopa, Silas Gahuna (Released), Nixon Putt (Norths Devils).

NORTHERN PRIDE

2018 Result: 4th – Knocked out first week of finals
2019 Premiership Odds: $26

The Northern Pride enter a new season without the fanfare / circus of a former NRL badboy in 2019, and whilst that will not be a loss for 2019, the potential loss of Jake Clifford to the Cowboys for NRL duty will certainly make a difference.

But maybe not. The Northern Pride have done some very shrewd recruitment for the 2019 Intrust Super Cup season, notably Brayden Torpy from Easts, who is more than capable of picking up where Jake Clifford may leave behind. Brayden Torpy has been outstanding for the Easts Tigers, and he arrives with his brother Cameron in a double deal for 2019. Another name recruit for 2019 is former NRL and Super League player Maurice Blair, who will add plenty of experience into the Pride.

The Cairns based Pride lost a few of their regular quality contributors in recent seasons to retirement for 2019, but the remains of the side that finished 4th in 2018, together with their new recruits should prove to be a unit that are hard to beat in 2019. Their first up trial win over pre season favourite Townsville proves they are ready to battle right at the top this season.

Trials Form: Sat 16th – Northern Pride 18 Cairns Foley Shield Team 12
Trials Form: Sat 23rd Feb – Northern Pride 28 Townsville 10

IN AND OUT

GAINS: Maurice Blair (Hull Kingston Rovers), Evan Child, Steven Tatipata (Northern Pride U20s), Matolu Laumea (Innisfail Leprechauns), Hugh Sedger, Denzel King (Ipswich Jets), Dominic Biondi (Norths Devils), Cameron Torpy (Canterbury Bulldogs), Brayden Torpy (Easts Tigers)

LOSSES: Ryan Ghietti, Brett Anderson, Troy Kapea, Nathan Wales, Graham Clark, Justin Castellaro, Sheldon Powe-Hobbs (Retired), Keelan White (Released), Jonico Hardwick (Rugby Union), Darryn Schonig (Sunshine Coast Falcons)

TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS

2018 Result: 3rd – knocked out 1st week of finals
2019 Premiership Odds: $5.00 (favourites)

The Townsville Blackhawks have been super competitive since their entry into the Intrust Super Cup in 2015, they secured the minor premiership in their first season and were beaten grand finalists. They haven’t missed a finals series since, yet despite finishing 3rd twice with arguably one of the strongest squads in the competition, another grand final hasn’t come. 2019 is here, and the Blackhawks have another strong squad, and with the Cowboys looking as strong as ever, Townsville should be top six contenders and above again.

Some interesting players movements for the upcoming season in both directions. Premiership winning Shaun Nona heads back up north after his stint at Wynnum didn’t quite work out. His last stint in North Queensland ended in a premiership for the Northern Pride in 2014. Throw in Kyle Laybutt and Josh Chudleigh and they have a promising spine for the upcoming season. 

On the downside they have lost the experience of Zac Dockar-Clay, and the speed of Jonathon Reuben amongst a steady stream of exits. But one of their big assets Dan Beasley remains to lead the pack.

Other points of interest for the 2019 season is a new coach in former hooker Aaron Payne who replaces foundation coach Kristian Woolf. The Blackhawks team also features Chippie Korostchuk – who is the leading try scorer for the Polish international rugby league team.

After the town’s recent flooding disaster, who wouldn’t begrudge Townsville a little on field success and joy in 2019.

Trials: Sat 23rd Feb – Northern Pride 28 Townsville 10

IN AND OUT

GAINS: Shaun Nona (Brisbane Broncos / Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Sam Hoare, Kyle Laybutt, Shaun Hudson, Josh Chudleigh (North Queensland Cowboys), Chippy Korostchuk, Ryan Lloyd, Nathan Trail, Michael Parker-Walshe (TDRL)

LOSSES: Andrew Davey (Parramatta Eels), Zac Dockar-Clay (Blacktown Workers), Jonathon Reuben (Sunshine Coast Falcons), Sam Foster (Easts Tigers), Jordan Kenworthy, David Munro, Ross Bella, Paul Byrnes, Brendan Santi (Sydney), Ty Carucci (Townsville Brothers), Davin Crampton (Western Lions), Jordan Drew (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)

MACKAY CUTTERS

2018 Result: 14th and last.
2019 Premiership Odds: $34.00

Mackay won just four games in 2018, and have lost two of their better players to other Intrust Super Cup sides for the upcoming. Nicho Hynes and Jordan Grant have departed, and despite picking up some good talent from the Blackhawks and a few new names from overseas, it is hard to see the kind of improvement that will take them into the top six this season.

The most interesting of the incoming for Mackay in 2019 is the powerhouse forward Sala Falelua-Malio from the Mt Albert Lions in New Zealand, who could provide some real muscle up front for the Cutters. Also flying into Mackay are recruits from the recently relegated Widnes Vikings in the UK Super League Alex Gerrard and Lloyd White. Both have over 100 games of experience from the UK top competition. These three could make up a great front row for Mackay.

Will they and the other newcomers counter the losses of arguably their best and most promising player Nicho Hynes? They still have Cooper Bambling in the ranks and as captain in 2019, who provides plenty of quality for Mackay.

One side interest is that the new Cutters jersey looks pretty cool, and their logo remains one of the most threatening of logos.

Trial Form: Sat 23rd Feb Capras 34 Mackay 10

IN AND OUT

GAINS: Paul Byrnes, Ross Bella, Dave Munro, Jordan Kenworthy (Townsville Blackhawks), Marcus Jensen (Townsville Brothers), Otto Wrakonei (Easts Rugby Canberra), Jarrod Brakenhofer (Cootamundra Bulldogs), Tyler Gardiner (Mackay Magpies), Alex Gerrard, Lloyd White (Widnes Vikings), Sala Falelua-Malio (Mt Albert Lions)

LOSSES: Aaron Booth, Bennett Leslie (Easts Tigers), Nicho Hynes, Nathan Saumalu (Sunshine Coast Falcons), Nick Brown, Jordan Grant (Redcliffe Dolphins), Jack Joass (Souths Magpies), Darcy Cox, Jesse Dee, Jared Maguire (MDRL), Tom Murphy, Lona Kaifoto, Johnny Faletagoa’I, Bailey Hartwig, Leoanti Fetuani (Released)

CENTRAL CAPRAS

2018 Result: 13th
2019 Premiership Odds: $51

The Capras managed to avoid the wooden spoon in 2018, handing that to their nearest rivals in Mackay, but it looks like the Capras will be battling towards the lower half of the table again in 2019.

Like Mackay with Nicho Hynes, Central have lost arguably their most promising player in Connor Broadhurst to another Intrust Super Cup club, which will certainly hurt their chances of improvement in 2019. Zeik Foster is also another key loss for the Rockhampon based side. 

They do however still have one Dave “Coaltrain” Taylor on their books, who despite not being at his NRL best, still has plenty to offer a club like the Capras. He will surely be determined to make some rugby league highlights shows for his on field contributions, rather than being joke fodder for a few jerks on a Sunday on mainstream media. Their ignorance and woefully self-centred apologies afterwards still irks this contributor, who has long given up on gleaning anything useful from national FTA rugby league broadcasting.

Former Rabbitohs and Titans Eddy Pettybourne joins via France, and despite his NRL best probably being behind him, he is always one to give plenty for his side. Pettybourne and a full flight Dave Taylor could cause a bit of mischief throughout the 2019 Intrust Super Cup season. They have scored 34 points in both of their trial wins so far in 2019.

Trials Form: Sat 16th Feb Capras 34 Wynnum 32
Trials Form: Sat 23rd Feb Capras 34 Mackay 10

IN AND OUT

Gains: Bessie Aufaga To’omaga (Cronulla Sharks), George Grant (Yeppoon Seagulls), Kainoa Gudgeon (Tweed Head Seagulls) Mark Johnstone (Brothers, Rockhampton), Jack Lote (Western Lions, Townsville), Aaron Pene (St Mary’s, Penrith), Eddy Pettybourne (Toulouse, France), Matthew Wright (Manly Sea Eagles)

Losses: Connor Broadhurst (Norths Devils), David Cowhan (Retired), Zeik Foster (St George Dragons), Blake Goodman (Asquith Magpies), Jerry Key (North Sydney Bears), Brad Lupi (Norths Devils), Oliver Percy (Burleigh Bears), Peter Rogers, (Biloela Panthers), Chanel Seigafo (Victoria Rugby League).

SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS

2018 Result: 10th
2019 Premiership Odds: $5.50

It helps to have a relationship with the Melbourne Storm, and the Falcons are taking full advantage of that for 2019 with a high quality squad that look capable of bouncing back from a disappointing 2018 where they finished 10th after being losing grand finalists in 2017.

Nicho Hynes is possibly their best new name to come into the Falcons nest for 2019, the former Mackay Cutters player doing enough in a wooden spoon outfit to catch the eye of Sunshine Coast for the upcoming season. Another exciting recruit from a little further north is speed machine Jonathon Reuben from Townsville. A side that features Rueben and PNG International Justin Olam is going to have firepower capable of many wins. 

Talking of internationals, Fijian international player Sitivene Moceidreke joins the falcons from the Mounties in Canberra. In Todd Murphy, Sunshine Coast have a half more than capable of replacing the outgoing Canadian International Rhys Jacks.

Other notable exits include Matt Soper-Lawler and Jye Ballinger, who have been some great contributors for the Falcons in recent seasons. But a fully fit Sandor Earl should cover some of the loss of experience.

Sunshine Coast also have a new head coach for the 2019 Intrust Super Cup season with former Melbourne Storm NYC coach Eric Smith taking over from Craig Ingebrigtsen. Their second favouritism for the premiership and thumping win over Ipswich in a trial shows they are ready for the step up in 2019.

Trials Form: Sat 16th Feb – Sunshine Coast 48 Ipswich 0
Trials Form:  Sun 23rd Feb – Sunshine Coast 28 Norths 16

IN AND OUT

GAINS: Todd Murphy (Brisbane Broncos / Norths Devils), Tyson Smoothy (Brisbane Broncos), Louis Geraghty (Melbourne Storm), Nicho Hynes, Nathan Saumalu (Mackay Cutters), Daniel Dole (Wentworthville), Jonathon Reuben (Townsville Blackhawks), Darryn Schonig (Northern Pride), Sitivene Moceidreke (Mounties), Trent Schaumkel (Northcote NZ), Cameron Moran (Ipswich Jets), Dalton Phillips (Norths Devils)

LOSSES: Jye Ballinger (Albi Tigers), Harrison Muller, Matt Soper-Lawler (Souths Logan Magpies), Jacob Hind (Burleigh Bears), Rhys Jacks (Easts Tigers)

REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS

2018 Result: Minor Premiers and Premiers. Lost State Championship.
2019 Premiership Odds: $6

Redcliffe will looking to go back to back in the 2019 Intrust Super Cup season, repeating the feat that they managed in 2002 and 2003, and more recently by Wynnum in 2011/2012. 

Ignoring the losses and gains list for 2019, the big news is that the Redcliffe Dolphins will be going into the 2019 season without one of their star players in Cameron Cullen, who has been ruled out for the season due to injury. The experienced and influential Cullen was one of the main reasons for Redcliffe’s success in 2018, and how they will cover that loss is going to determine their season.

The Dolphins have two very interesting signings for the 2019 season, one being Gerard McCallum, whose back story is told best by a previous article from his Easts Tigers days. Jayden Nikorima is also another eye-catching recruit, the former Rooster perching himself at Redcliffe to start afresh after an unsuccessful stint in Sydney.

Trials Form: Sat 16th Feb – Norths 12 Redcliffe 12
Trials Form: Sat 23rd Feb  – Souths Logan 32 Redcliffe 24

IN AND OUT

GAINS: Jordan Grant, Nick Brown (Mackay Cutters), Faitotoa Faitotoa (Newcastle Knights), Zev John (Melbourne Storm), Gerard McCallum (Easts Tigers), Harrison Smith (Cronulla Sharks), Josh Rudolph, Raeden Fonoti (Year off)

LOSSES: Sam Anderson (Maitland Pickers), Toby Rudolf (Cronulla Sharks), Tristan Hope, Mosese Pangai, (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Josh Fauid (Easts Tigers), Curtis Johnston (North Sydney), Tom Opacic (North Queensland Cowboys), Jonus Pearson (St George Illawarra Dragons), Jake Sparey (Easts Tigers), Rinsma Saueha (Wests Panthers), Nick Slyney (Retired)

NORTHS DEVILS

2018 Result: 8th
2019 Premiership Odds: $21

Now here is a dark horse for success in 2019, the team from Nundah have done some very shrewd recruiting, and will hopefully go a little further than 2018 where they were in the top six for a large part of the season before fading late.

A big loss is the hooker Alex Bishop who has moved to the Souths Logan Magpies, but they are well covered from their 2018 squad and the new 2019 recruits.

Most exciting for us is the capture of Nixon Putt from the PNG Hunters. Nixon Put was one of the PNG Hunters better players in 2018, and you could also argue that he was one of the best in the Kumuls big win over Fiji in the mid-season international last season. Of all the players that Norths could have taken from the mass off-season exodus from the PNG Hunters, they have certainly got the right one.

Throw in Connor Broadhurst who had been outstanding for the Capras, and real Intrust Super Cup experience of Luke Archer,  Shane Pumipi and Joe Bradley, and you have a good squad which can compliment the already high quality Zach Strasser, Herbie Farnsworth and Gehamat Shibasaki. The latter two having already played with the Broncos 2019 Trial teams.

There’s some serious value at $21.

Trials Form: Sat 9th Feb – Wynnum 24 Norths 40
Trials Form: Sat 16th Feb – Norths 12 Redcliffe 12
Trials Form:  Sun 23rd Feb – Sunshine Coast 28 Norths 16

IN AND OUT

GAINS: Connor Broadhurst (Central Queensland Capras), Luke Archer, Brad Frith, Jordan Mago (Souths Logan Magpies), Brendan Frei (Sydney Roosters), Shane Pumipi, Joe Bradley (Redcliffe Dolphins), Brad Lupi (Central Queensland Capras), Jayden Baker (Tweed Heads Seagulls), Nixon Putt (PNG Hunters), Stedman Lefau (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Henry Penn (Newcastle Souths).

LOSSES: John Palavi (Gold Coast Titans / Tweed Heads Seagulls), Alex Bishop (Souths Logan Magpies), Dalton Phillips (Sunshine Coast Falcons).

EASTS TIGERS

2018 Result: 5th – beaten grand finalists
2019 Premiership Odds: $7.50

Easts Tigers will be looking to go one further in 2019 than their grand final defeat in 2019, and early trial form and some a few good inclusions for 2019 show that as ever they’ll be in and around the top six at a minimum.

The Tigers have recruited some quality from south of the border in Tom Hughes and Matt Cooper from the Newcastle Knights system, and the inclusions from other Intrust Super Cup sides is building a nice squad full of experience and potential. Canadian international Rhys Jacks has been nabbed from the Melbourne Storm feeder side Sunshine Coast.

A few key losses is a concern heading into the 2019 Intrust Super Cup season, notably Linc Port and Brayden Torpy, both of whom were excellent throughout the 2019, and will be missed for the regular contributions. 

But having the link to the Melbourne Storm will always prove handy throughout the season, although based on the performance of big Sam Kasiano in the Grand Final loss to Redcliffe, the rumours that Melbourne are trying to move him onto another club might be a good thing for the Tigers.

Trials Form: Sat 16th Feb – Easts 24 Burleigh 4
Trials Form: Sat 23rd Feb – Easts Tigers 16 Ipswich 8

IN AND OUT

GAINS: Tom Hughes, Matt Cooper (Newcastle Knights), Curtis Dansey-Smaller (Tweed Heads Seagulls), Josh Fauid (Redcliffe Dolphins), Sam Foster (Townsville Blackhawks), Rhys Jacks (Sunshine Coast Falcons), Aaron Booth, Bennett Leslie (Mackay Cutters), Sam Lavea, Justin Fai, William Samuel (Souths Logan Magpies), Jack Peoples (Norths Devils)

LOSSES: David Tyrrell (Retired), Linc Port (Souths Logan Magpies), Brayden Torpy (Northern Pride), Conor Carey (Featherstone Rovers), Matt Groat (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Anton Iaria (St Mary’s Penrith), Adam Crear, James Salter (Proserpine Brahmans), Michael Egan (West Brisbane Panthers)

WYNNUM SEAGULLS

2018 Result: 12th
2019 Premiership Odds: $13

12th was a long way down for the Wynnum Seagulls in 2018, and they have set about correcting that downward trend with some good recruiting for the 2019 Intrust Super Cup season.

Sam Scarlett will more than make up for the loss of Shaun Nona in the halves, and the Broncos feeder arrangement will likely lead to an influx of more quality than the ins list provided here. Richie Kennar is a player who fits that bill, the NRL standard centre/winger will make up for the loss of Intrust Super Cup all time leading try scorer Daniel Ogden. They are likely to see a bit of Payne Haas in green and red this season given the depth of strength in the forwards at the Broncos.

Other great additions include Matiu Love-Henry, Moses Pangai and PNG duo Edene Gebbie and Rahdly Brawa. Edene Gebbie in particular showed some real quality for the Hunters in 2018, and could be a real handful in the upcoming 2019 season.

Trials Form: Sat 16th Feb Capras 34 Wynnum 32
Trials Form: Sat 23rd Feb Wynnum 12 Broncos 26

IN AND OUT

GAINS: Sam Scarlett (Brisbane Broncos / Souths Logan Magpies), Salesi Funaki (Brisbane Broncos / Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Keenan Palasia (Brisbane Broncos), Moses Pangai (Brisbane Broncos / Redcliffe Dolphins), Matiu Love-Henry (New Zealand Warriors), Junior Pauga (New Zealand Warriors), Patrick Sipley (New Zealand Warriors), Edene Gebbie (PNG Hunters), Rahdly Brawa (PNG Hunters), Matt Groat (Easts Tigers), Tristan Hope (Redcliffe Dolphins), Richie Kennar (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Edwin Ipape (Lae Snax Tigers), Jordan Drew (Townsville Blackhawks)

LOSSES: Daniel Ogden (Retired), Michael Dobson (Retired), Atelea (Til)  Vea (Retired), Mitchell Moore (Retired), Joshua Hoffman (Retired), Jeriah Goodrich (Retired), Billy Solah (Retired), Peter Gubb (Ipswich Jets), Shaun Nona (Townsville Blackhawks), Stedman Lefau (Norths Devils), Mitchell Frei (Souths Logan Magpies), Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard (New Zealand Warriors)

SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES

2018 Result: 9th
2019 Premiership Odds: $10

There has rarely been a fall from grace like the Souths Logan Magpies in 2018. The Magpies wee genuine front-runners around the halfway point of 2018, but their season fell apart, and they were lucky to win any games in the second half of the season. Not that they weren’t competitive in a lot of those losses.

Souths Logan have recruited well, grabbing some real quality from around the Intrust Super Cup. Linc Port, Mitchell Frei, Alex Bishop and Matt Soper-Lawler all bring with them experience and consistent performance over recent seasons, and compliment the squad nicely.

They still have one of the competition’s best players in Guy Hamilton, and the player who has started the most games in Intrust Super Cup history – Phil Dennis, who will no doubt be as crafty as ever. They fielded a very strong side in the NRL trial with a very weakened Broncos side in Warwick and got belted 42-0

The Magpies have lost a promising fullback for the second year in a row with Corey Allen heading to the Rabbitohs for 2019, following Jamayne Isaako’s rise from Magpie to Bronco in 2018. 

Trials Form: Sat 16th Feb – Broncos 42 Souths Logan 0
Trials Form: Sat 23rd Feb  – Souths Logan 32 Redcliffe 24

IN AND OUT

GAINS: Mitchell Frei (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Harrison Muller, Matt Soper-Lawler (Sunshine Coast Falcons), Linc Port (Easts Tigers), Alex Bishop (Norths Devils), Jack Joass (Mackay Cutters), Gerome Burns (Norths Devils / Brisbane Broncos), Haydyn O’Hara (Brisbane Broncos), Jerome Veve (Burleigh Bears).

LOSSES: Sam Scarlett (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Sam Lavea (Easts Tigers), Travis Waddell (Dubbo), Corey Allan (South Sydney Rabbitohs).

IPSWICH JETS

2018 Result: 6th – knocked out second week of finals
2019 Premiership Odds: 

If you don’t like watching the Ipswich Jets, then you are very hard to please as rugby league fans. We also can’t work out why, after their success in the 2015 dual premiership winning season, why no one in the NRL or UK Super League wouldn’t take a risk on the inventive Walker Brothers. Theirs and rugby league’s losses we’re afraid. We’re still entertained and hope to catch them liver or on a screen sometime throughout 2019. The novelty still hasn’t worn off for us.

As for the player movements, the Jets have lost two from their premiership year, and two quality contributors from last season in halfback Dane Phillips and the liveware Wes Conlon. Countering the Phillips departure is the return of premiership five eighth Josh Cleeland, who was unable to crack the difficult Sydney based NRL team market. He did get to win a second NRL State Championship with the Bulldogs last season. A fully fit Marmin Barba will go a long way to making up for the loss of Conlon. Wynnum’s very popular Peter Gubb is an interesting new recruit for the Jets in 2019 too.

The Jets still have two of the Intrust Super Cup’s most exciting players in Marmin Barba, and try scoring machine Michael Purcell, and the Jets best from 2018 Nat Neale who sets a platform for the skillful and speedy players to weave their magic. Not that the big man isn’t capable of chipping in with some tries.

Whether they can match their 6th placed finish for the 2019 Intrust Super Cup season remains to be seen, but they will surely entertain.

Trials Form: Sat 16th Feb – Sunshine Coast 48 Ipswich 0
Trials Form: Sat 23rd Feb – Easts Tigers 16 Ipswich 8

IN AND OUT

Gains: Josh Cleeland (Canterbury Bulldogs), Hayden Crowley (Wynnum Seagulls), Peter Gubb (Wynnum Seagulls), Brett Kelly, Jacob Teevan (Easts Tigers) Fred Keil (Melbourne Rebels / University) Todd White (Pittsworth Danes).

Losses: Dane Phillips (Retired), Wes Conlon (Brothers Ipswich).

BURLEIGH BEARS

2018 Result: 2nd – knocked out last week of finals
2019 Premiership Odds: $7

After losing out in the season long battle for the minor premiership, Burleigh were knocked out of the finals with consecutive losses to eventual premiers Redcliffe and Easts.

With minimal losses of their 2018 squad – former NRL prop Matt White retiring – they are primed to be at the top of another Intrust Super Cup season. They have recruited a little extra quality for their 2019 squad, the retention of occasional Titan Tyronne Roberts-Davis gives the team plenty of scoring power.

The squad still features former player of the year Jamal Fogarty, PNG international Luke Page and quality hooker Pat Politoni in the middle of the park, and having wingers of the quality of Troy Leo and the previously mentioned Tyronne Roberts-Davis means Bears will be hard to beat again in 2019.

Trials Form: Sat 16th Feb – Easts 24 Burleigh 4
Trials Form: Sat 23rd Feb  – Burleigh 18 Tweed Heads 20

IN AND OUT

GAINS: Jacob Hind (Sunshine Coast Falcons), Jack Buchanan (Toronto Wolfpack), Oliver Percy (CQ Capras), Tyronne Roberts-Davis (Gold Coast Titans), Jordan Scott (Souths Logan Magpies), Hayden Hansen (Swinton Lions)

LOSSES: Matt White (Retired)

TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS

2018 Result: 11th
2019 Premiership Odds: $41

The men from Piggabeen head into 2019 looking down the barrel at another second half of the table finish, but that doesn’t mean they can’t improve on their 11th place finish from 2018, especially with the tie-up with the Titans. That NRL alliance saw a few decent players don the butcher’s stripes in 2018 – Konrad Hurrell and Bryce Cartwright so any poor performance in the NRL in 2019 could be a benefit for the Seagulls.

Their big loss is Brayden McGrady, but also some great Intrust Super Cup experience in Tristian Lumley and Sam Saville. Christian Hazard is a very good pick up for the Seagulls, the former Redcliffe Dolphin returning to the Intrust Super Cup from a stint with the Newcastle Knights.

Tweed Heads do have a shiny new logo for 2019, which could be a new lucky charm to see them fly higher in 2019.

Trials Form: Sat 23rd Feb  – Burleigh 18 Tweed Heads 20

IN AND OUT

GAINS: John Palavi (Norths Devils), Christian Hazard (Newcastle Knights), Kurtis Dark (Newcastle Knights), Daniel Palavi (New Zealand Pt Chevalier), Kyle Kennedy (Newcastle competition), Stuart Mason (Illawarra Cutters)

LOSSES: Brayden McGrady (Penrith Panthers), Eli Levido (Illawarra Cutters), Tristian Lumley (Dubbo competition), Sam Saville (Burleigh Bears), Hiale Roycroft (Unknown), Sam Meskall (Tugan Seahawks)

2019 Intrust Super Cup Season Preview – Season Prediction

TOP EIGHT

SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS
NORTHERN PRIDE
TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS
BURLEIGH BEARS
WYNNUM SEAGULLS
EASTS TIGERS
NORTHS DEVILS
SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES

PREMIERS

SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS