Game Preview Round 1

Ipswich Jets v Wynnum Manly Seagulls at North Ipswich Reserve on Saturday, March 7 – 3pm

Ipswich Jets:1. Wes Conlon 2. Marmin Barba 3. Chris Walker 4. Nemani Valekapa 5. Carlin Anderson 6. Josh Cleeland 7. Dane Phillips 8. Kurtis Lingwoodock 9. Matt Parcell 10. Rod Griffin 11. Sam Martin 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Kieron Lander (c) 14. Josh Seage 15. Troy O’Sullivan 16. Billy McConnachie 17. Liam Capewell 18. Fakahoko Teutau

Coach: Ben Walker and Shane Walker

Wynnum Manly Seagulls:1. Daniel Ogden 2. Peter Gubb 3. Matthew Grieve 4. Mitchell Buckett 5. Greg Eden 6. Patrick Templeman 7. Matthew Seamark (c) 8. Ben Shea 9. Alehana Mara 10. Aaron Rockley 11. Jon Grieve 12. John Te Reo 13. Mitchell Frei 14. Brendan McKinnon 15. Brendon Gibb 16. Tanu Wulf 17. Stephen Coombe

Coach: Jon Buchanan

Jets v Wynnum Head to Head: Wynnum 20 Ipswich 16 Drawn 3.

Last time they clashed:

The last time these two teams clashed it was heartbreak for the Jets; up 16-8 after half time the Seagulls clawed their way back into the contest after not leading from the 5th minute till the 76 minute while the Jets fell in a finals hole and lost 34-22 to exit the 2014 finals.

WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 34 (Mitchell Buckett 3, Peter Gubb 2, Benaiah Bowie 2 tries; Matthew Seamark 2, Jake Granville goals) defIPSWICH JETS 22 (Marmin Barba, Nemani Valekapa, Carlin Anderson, Matt Parcell tries; Marmin Barba 2, Wes Conlon goals) at BMD Kougari Oval.

Round 1 2015:

Round one of a new season is a lot like a first date, everyone is optimistic and worked hard but there is still an element of the unknown.

Both teams have had disrupted pre-seasons with trials cancelled due to weather.

When the Jets v Seagulls kicks off on Saturday both teams will have had line-up changes since the finals of 2014.

The Jets will be without fullback Javarn White and the retired Brendon Marshall, two mainstays of the Jets’ backline.

While the Seagulls are without several players the most glaring omission will be Jake Granville the Seagulls’ superstar from the last 4 years has joined the Cowboys.

The Seagulls have boosted their playing ranks by adding the skilful Patrick Templeman from the Bulldogs. Templeman has a strong left foot kick and will be able to slot into the halves or fullback as the attacking situation calls.

The Seagulls have also added Norths’ stalwart Brendan Gibb who had played three NRL games for the Broncos. As well as English Super League star and Bronco Greg Eden will be on the right wing for the Seagulls.

Wynnum will have two focal points of attack with, Templeman and Seamark either side of the ruck.

Mitchell Frei the Seagulls’ lock is a real danger Frei follows the halves around and feeds off their small kicks or flat passes. Frei has a strong running game on the fringe and Wynnum go to him as an attacking option.

While the ever reliable Peter Gubb will be looking to finish off any chances that come his way on the right hand side. In the finals last year he scored two tries and sunk the Jets’ title hopes.

While the Seagulls will be without their normal hooker the Ipswich Jets will welcome back Matt Parcell from an off-season with the Brisbane Broncos. Parcell is the reigning Allan Langer Medal winner and will be looking to consolidate his outstanding form last year with another great year that will force the Brisbane Broncos to take note.

The player that everyone will be watching will be ex Origin and NRL star; Jet number 463 Chris Walker. Walker is making a comeback for the Jets after retiring in 2011. Walker will add plenty of experience to the Jets’ backline missing White and Marshall. Chris Walker still holds the Intrust Super Cup try scoring record of 7 in a game against Wests in the year 2000.

Walker will be playing his 49th Intrust Super Cup game with the incredible strike rate of 58 tries.

The Jets last year utilised speed around the ruck and smaller men to cause havoc for teams, this year won’t be any different with; Carlin Anderson, Marmin Barba, Chris Walker and Kurt Capewell looking to follow Parcell and take advantage of what he creates.

Marmin Barba is coming off a Jets’ record equalling 22 try season and found a home for the Jets last year attacking on the left hand side and popping up in the middle.

The Jets will also welcome back Broncos’ player Daniel Vidot who played for the Jets in 2014.

Jets’ Milestones:

· Marmin Barba – needs 3 points for 200 career points

· Carlin Anderson – needs 2 points for 50 career points

· Matt Parcell – needs 6 points for 50 career points