RUGBY LEAGUE: Experienced campaigner Craig Ingebrigtsen has labelled the current crop of Sunshine Coast Falcons the toughest group he has ever coached, after their remarkable season continued on Saturday.

The side marched into the state league preliminary final with a gritty 18-10 upset victory over the Blackhawks in Townsville, just a week after shocking the Hunters in Port Moresby.

It's been a stunning season from the Falcons.

After years of woe, they're now on a fairytale run into and through the Intrust Super Cup finals.

"I'm very proud. It's the toughest group I've ever coached and I've been doing this a long time," Ingebrigtsen said.

"We had some big injuries again (against Blackhawks) and we just continue to turn up and support each other."

"They're just proud of playing for a really good club. We've got no money and we're punching above our weight and we continue to defy all the odds so it's fantastic."

The rags to potential riches story is catching on too, as rugby league pundits and fans across Queensland stand up and take notice.

"I just hope the whole Sunny Coast area is proud of us because what we're doing at the moment is defying belief," the coach said.

And the Falcons are not finished yet.

"They've got momentum and they've got belief that's second to none and they don't give in," he said.

"We're 80 minutes away from playing in the grand final and if we get there anything can happen."

The Falcons will play the loser of Sunday's major semi-final involving Redcliffe and Burleigh.

"At least we can play in south-east Queensland," Ingebrigtsen said.

The side received a massive boost just prior to the game on Saturday, when key player Ryley Jacks was declared fit to play.

"He wasn't going to play, even five minutes before kick-off, but our medical staff were outstanding and found a way to get him on the field," Ingebrigtsen said.

It's hoped influential rake Nafe Seluini and forward Tom Murphy will return from injury.

Meanwhile, captain Troy Giess and Jon Grieve will be monitored after the former was knocked out against Townsville and the latter suffered a quad injury.

Sam Burns, from the Melbourne Storm under-20 side, played very well at hooker.