WHEN the Ipswich Jets last made a Queensland Cup grand final, Kurtis Lingwoodock was a 17-year-old in his first season of senior footy.
The Jets lost that one in 2008 but Lingwoodock tasted Q-Cup success three years later as a Brisbane Broncos contracted player with Wynnum Manly.
Lingwoodock gives this year’s Ipswich Jets team as much of a chance of taking the title as either of those two.
It only depends on one thing – how they defend.
“The bond between the boys is probably the best I’ve been involved in,” Lingwoodock said.
“And it’s probably the best attacking side I’ve played in.
“The only thing we need to work on is our defence.”
On that score the Jets have taken a step forward by beating Central Queensland Capras 34-14 at Rockhampton on Saturday night.
“It was a good win,” Lingwoodock said.
“There’s still improvement to come in the team but it was better than the last couple of weeks.
“Defensively the intensity was there.
“The attitude in the team was better.”
Lingwoodock praised outside backs Javarn White and Marmin Barba for their roles in the win over the Capras.
Fullback White scored two tries while Barba also claimed one to ensure the Jets were always on top.
The Jets opportunities came because they missed fewer tackles and subsequently controlled the play better than they did the week before in losing to Souths Logan.
“Our ball handling was a lot better,” Lingwoodock said.
“But they were a good side.”
Only three points separate second placed Easts from the fifth placed Jets and the Ipswich team have set themselves the goal of winning their remaining five games before finals.
With fourth placed Wynnum Manly playing leaders Northern Pride this weekend, a win for the Jets over Easts on Sunday will see them move above the Seagulls into fourth, just one point behind Easts.
But the Jets will have to reverse the result from last time they played the Tigers, who won 22-12 at the North Ipswich Reserve in round 11.
“Easts are always tough,” Lingwoodock said.
“But we’re pretty motivated.
“We came together last week and said we wanted four wins from our four games before the bye, which will pretty much guarantee us a semi-final spot.”
Lingwoodock was once rated a better defensive hitter than Sam Thaiday, by former Brisbane Broncos defensive coach and Laidley product Peter Ryan.
So he is not too worried about his own defence, but knows he can get more involved with the ball.
“Probably just go for a few more hit ups,” he said of where he could improve.
“Do more work for the team.”
State of play
Qld Cup: Ipswich Jets 34 (Javarn White 2, Carlin Anderson, Dane Phillips, Marmin Barba, Matt Parcell tries; Marmin Barba 4, Brendon Marshall goals) def Central Queensland Capras 14(Smith Samau, Rhys Williams, Corey Oates tries; Ian Webster goal) at Browne Park.
Thank you the QT for this article