Souths Logan Magpies v Ipswich Jets at Davies Park on Sunday, July 9 – 1.40pm* (Live on Channel 9)
by Michael Nunn
Souths Logan Magpies
1. Jamayne Isaako 2. Cameron Booth 3. Lenny Magey 4. Scott Doyle 5. Luke Archer 6. Matt Minto 7. Sam Scarlett 8. Tevita Pangai 9. Travis Waddell 10. Herman Ese’ese 11. Simione Fatafehi 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Joe Boyce 14. Jordan Scott 15. Phil Dennis (c) 16. George Fai 17. Sam Lavea
Coach: Jon Buchanan
Ipswich Jets
1. Wes Conlon 2. Michael Purcell 3. Marion Seve 4. Nemani Valekapa 5. Richard Pandia 6. Chris Ash 7. Dane Phillips (c) 8. Mitch Carpenter 9. Luke Capewell 10. Nat Neale 21. Jesse Roberts 12. Seb Pandia 22. Tyson Lofipo 11. Sam Martin 15. Lachlan Roe 16. Huskie Teatau 17. Josh Seage 13. Ben White
Coach: Ben Walker and Shane Walker
OVERALL RECORD:
Ipswich Jets 24 Souths-Logan Magpies 17 Drawn 1
Last time they played: Round 8 2017
IPSWICH JETS 36 (Richard Pandia 2, Luke Capewell 2, Tu’u Maori, Michael Purcell, Wes Conlon tries; Wes Conlon 4 goals) def SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 30 (Simione Fatafehi 2, Jayden Su’a, Conner Toia, Luke Archer tries; Jamayne Isaako 5 goals) at Davies Park.
ROUND 18
It’s the Magpies again, the Jets have to travel to Davies Park for the second time in 2017 to take on our rivals from Souths.
The Jets’ record at Davies Park is an impressive one having won 12 of 13 games there with their only loss in 2010, 34-12.
The Jets beat the Magpies earlier this season 36-30 with Richard Pandia and Luke Capewell scoring two tries each.
Souths are in 6th place on 22 points while the Jets are 7th on 18 points so two teams that are in a race for the top 6.
Souths have scored 385 points this year to the Jets 364 so a slight advantage to the Magpies while in defence the Jets have been guilty of allowing 397 to Souths 320.
SOUTHS
Souths have proven two things this year beyond a doubt. They can score points and they won’t go away easily.
Souths average 24 points a game this season.
They’ve score 30 or more five times this year. I predict if you’re going to beat the Magpies you need to score points. This won’t be 12-6.
Against the Jets earlier this year the Magpies were down with twelve minutes to go the 32-18 and the Jets ended up winning 36-30.
Against Wynnum the Magpies made seven line breaks. They love to play footy.
Jamayne Isaako
Isaako is the Magpies leading points’ scorer this season with 134 points. Through nine tries and 49 goals. Isaako is the type of player that can pick up a ball on his toes one handed and run 100 metres. When the Jets and Magpies last clashed Isaako had four tackle breaks.
Against Wynnum last week he had five tackle breaks and two line breaks.
Matt Minto
Minto is one of the best halves in the Intrust Super Cup. He will touch and kick the ball more than any other Magpie on Sunday.
The Jets will need to watch for not only what Minto is doing but what his second row mates are doing too.
They will gather around him like he’s got lunch and run off him looking for chances. Jaydn Su’A cashed in on some Minto magic last time Souths played the Jets.
Joe Boyce
Boyce is a footballer, he will chase kicks and seems to love the collision. He normally plays about 60 minutes so Souths get good use out of him.
He makes a lot of tackles and minimal misses. Boyce will run a line that you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy.
He scored a try against Wynnum last week just running hard and fast into guys much bigger than him.
The Magpies have a great forward pack, this is a great test for the Jets. George Fai, Herman Ese’ese, Joe Boyce, Travis Waddell and Jaydn Su’A have all played NRL
Ese’ese was in great form against the Seagulls contributing a lazy 204 metres.
JETS
The Jets bounced back strongly against the Tweed. The Jets were so disappointed with their performance the week before against the Bears.
The Jets ran hard and straight, Nem was terrific and scored his first try just running over guys while Lachlan Roe standing in the centres off scrums is every little kids’ nightmare.
The Jets had 32 more runs than Tweed, and made 526 more metres.
The difference in defence is staggering.
V Bears- 40 tackles missed
Players on 0 missed tackles- 1
V Tweed- 13 missed tackles
Players on 0 missed tackles- eight
Players on 1 miss- seven
Both the Jets and Magpies are coming off wins with the Magpies having beaten their old rivals Wynnum 22-16.
Wynnum scored three tries last week up the middle of Souths, taking advantage of lazy defenders- look out Wes Conlon.
Nemani Valekapa
Nem is closing in on 100 games for the Jets. He has also scored 46 tries now.
He scored a try on Saturday that showed what a great asset to the Jets he is, he ran inside back at the defence and just smashed over.
Then on half time he delivers a terrific pass to Michael Purcell to score. I love watching Nem play!
Sebasitan Pandia
Seb made 211 metres against Tweed from 26 hit ups.
He is a machine. The battle between Panida v Fai and Ese’ese will be worth watching.
Sam Martin
Martin scored his 100th point for the Jets but he had his best game for a while too.
He played 58 minutes and really attacked the Tweed. Martin had seven tackle breaks and one line break in his impressive effort.
I think this will be a high scoring game with plenty of points. I am not too sure that defence will win awards this week. Both these teams love to attack.
The Magpies will have big men running off Minto and the Jets will have to get their spacing and timing right.
While the Jets will target big Magpies that don’t move quickly.