Finals Week 3 – Preview

Redcliffe Dolphins v Sunshine Coast Falcons

Dolphin Oval on Sunday, September 18 – 2.30pm*

(Live on Channel 9 – coverage from 2pm)

Referee: Peter Gough Assistant Referee: Jarrod Cole

Head-to-Head: Redcliffe 9 Sunshine Coast 6

Head-to-Head Finals: First game

Cup Finals: Redcliffe (played 43; won 27, lost 16); Sunshine Coast (played 6; won 4, lost 2)

Twitter: #intrustsupercup #superseptember #PHINSvSCF

The giant-killing Sunshine Coast travel to Redcliffe on Sunday full of confidence after posting a solid win over the Townsville Blackhawks in last weekend’s elimination final. As well as featuring the excitement and tension of this being a finals game, the two sides have a strong derby-like rivalry which elevates the performances of the players.

It has been a remarkable run for the Falcons so far this year, and although have been boosted by the skill and experience of their Melbourne Storm contingent – they did not come into the reckoning for finals this season by most Intrust Super Cup fans.

Last weekend, it seemed the occasion might have gotten to the Dolphins last weekend after they were blown off the park in the first half by the Burleigh Bears, who earned their passage into the grand final via their 40-28 win. Trailing 28-0 at halftime, they sparked into action in the second – but cannot afford to get out to a similar start against a Sunshine Coast side with momentum behind them.

Although named earlier this week for the visiting side, Felise Kaufusi will remain in Melbourne to train following the unavailability of forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona due to injury, with Tui Kamikamica to come into the starting side.

Falcons centre Ryan Morgan became the 18th player to score a hat-trick in a Cup final and the second Sunshine Coast player to do so behind Shane Neumann who did it in the 2009 grand final.

In an interesting coaching titbit, Adam Mogg coached Sunshine Coast in 2011, winning two of 22 games; while Craig Ingebrigtsen started his coaching career at Redcliffe back in 2000.

Burleigh Bears – week off

*Statistics by Brad Tallon