Rivals clash for semi-final spot

IT'S one of the Gold Coast Rugby League's greatest rivalries and with a major semi-final berth on the line adding to the passion, tomorrow afternoon's Bilambil-Tugun blockbuster at Bilambil shapes as a real crowd pleaser.

The sides met twice during the regular season with Bilambil winning the first in Tugun, before the Seahawks returned the favour at Bilambil Sports Complex.

Jets coach Troy McCarthy expects tomorrow's clash to go either way.

“There is no doubt it will be a tight, close match,” he said.

“We won in the first round in the last 10 minutes up there and then they beat us late in the game down here.

“Tugun are always a tough side to get over. Regardless of what personnel they bring in, their players are always up to the mark.”

Bilambil has named the same team that beat Currumbin, with the exception of punishing second rower Anthony Flores who was slapped with a two-match suspension after being convicted on a dangerous tackle charge.

However, the Jets stand to lose little, with burly forward Peter Rolls set to return from a shoulder injury to bolster the pack.

Tugun have also kept the same successful side from last weekend.

Jason Nicolau and Jimmy Tripp in the halves and props Lucas Gillies and captain Sam Rowlings will be leading a tireless pack that includes Dean Murphy and Scott Gray.

“Last time we didn't shut down their halfback (Nicolau) well enough and his good kicking game led to their last try,” McCarthy said.

“He's probably their go-to man when in need.”

Tugun did it tough suffering some horrific injuries to nine of their top players during the home-and-away matches but with five wins in their last six matches, they snuck into third.

Seahawks coach Rod Hill said he believes he has the team to beat Bilambil but, he added, everything depends on the players' attitude.

“We had a team meeting at training on Tuesday night and I said we finished in the top three, which was where we wanted to be,'' he said.

“But if we wanted to go any further, we have to play better football.

“We did enough to record a win against Runaway Bay but we didn't do enough against Currumbin, but that part of the season is finished and if we want winning results in the semi-finals, we have to play better.

“We have to go into the semis with the right attitude because we have beaten Bilambil and Southport and they have beaten us. But on our day, (and) with the right frame of mind, we can beat anyone.”

The action begins at 3pm, with the winner to tackle minor and reigning premier Southport at Southport next weekend.

In tomorrow's other matches at Bilambil, Currumbin take on Burleigh in the under-19 qualifying final from 11.45am before the reserve clash between Tugun and Southport at 1.15pm.

No alcohol is to be taken into the grounds.