Redcliffe V Wynnum bayside battle

All the ingredients are there for an epic battle of the bayside clubs when the Redcliffe Dolphins’ Hostplus Cup and Hastings Deering Colts take on the Wynnum Manly Seagulls at Moreton Daily Stadium on Sunday.

The Dolphins’ Hostplus Cup side are fifth on the ladder behind Wynnum (fourth), but they’re equal on points and there’s not much between them on for and against.

It’s a similar situation for the Colts team. They’re third on the ladder behind Townville Blackhawks (second) and Wynnum Manly Seagulls (first). All three sides are equal on points.

Redcliffe Dolphins’ Hostplus Cup Head Coach Scott Murray is expecting another classic Dolphins V Seagulls battle on Sunday.

|“It’s always a physical and tough encounter against Wynnum. I expect nothing different, they’ll probably have a couple of Broncos players back as well,” Murray says.|

“We know what’s on the line. It’s a big occasion for us. We want to do well at home. We’ve got four games to go (until semi-finals), this is the first in the block of four.”

Murray says the match-up will be a good chance to see “where his side’s at” – what they’re doing well and what they need to work on ahead of the finals.

Earlier today, he said he expected to get a few of the Warriors’ players back this week but was not 100 per cent sure who.

Regardless, they will be players who have played well for the Dolphins previously and will “add real value to what we’re doing”.

He needs to shape his squad around these players but also those Dolphins who deserve to be rewarded for their performances in recent weeks.

With few injuries to worry about, he says it’s a good problem to have.

Hitting their strides

The Hostplus Cup side is on a nine-game unbeaten run after a rocky start to the season and drew 22-22 against Townsville Blackhawks in their round 16 clash in Ayr on July 23.

“We had lots of opportunities to put it (the game) away, and just couldn’t,” Murray says.

A warm afternoon in Townsville, took its toll.

“It was pretty tiring for a number of the boys. It was disappointing to not get the win,” he says

“We didn’t deserve to lose, so it’s better than nothing.”

Murray was pleased with the side’s scrambling defence, attack which created plenty of opportunities, and work rate.

They’ve used the split-round (17) week off to refresh, with a couple of light sessions last week, but have ramped up again this week.

“We’re not going to change anything, we’ll keep it as routine as possible and concentrate on what we’re doing well – defence is good, we’re working hard for each other and attacking well,” he says.

Support the boys

Murray says it will be a big afternoon of footy with the Dolphins’ Hastings Deering Colts and Hostplus Cup sides in action.

“I would love to see all the kids and their parents there to support the Colts at 12pm and we’re on at 2.10pm,” Murray says.

He says Wynnum supporters make sure the Dolphins know how passionate they are whenever they play at Kougari Oval and this was certainly the case for their round 4 encounter which Wynnum won 42-14.

“We’re looking forward to having some great support from our fans there on Sunday,” he says.