BEEFIER LEAGUE BRINGS HOPE

INTRUST Super Cup commentator Scott Sattler believes the 2019 competition is primed to deliver his favourite season yet but he has one major request.

“All I want is for a Queensland side to win on NRL grand final day and win that (Intrust Super Championship) trophy back,” said Sattler, who will cover games live on Channel Nine each Sunday from 12.10pm during daylight savings and 1.10pm thereafter.

“We’re seeing some class players come back into the competition that will make that happen again.”

NSW Intrust Super Premiership winners have dominated the Championship clash in the past three years, with the Ipswich Jets the last north-of-the-border team to come away victorious, in 2015.

Players have flocked to the Queensland second-tier league over the summer, including former NRL veterans Maurice Blair, Eddy Pettybourne and Matt Wright.

With Redcliffe rebuilding and perennial battlers Tweed Heads and Central Queensland signing well, Sattler expects the table to be tighter than ever in the first year of the top eight finals format.

“I’m really excited mainly due to the fact that we have seen a lot of those clubs that have struggled over the last few years make some really astute off-season signings to strengthen their playing groups,” he said.

“I see that middle of the table between fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth being a real arm wrestle come the final couple of rounds.

“Last year was a terrific season with Redcliffe winning the competition and the 2017 season was probably my favourite season to date.

“I think this season has got every chance of (beating) that.”

Sattler believes Townsville are the team to beat but noted the Titans and Broncos feeder clubs will have access to some supreme NRL talent.

“The strength of the Gold Coast Titans and their signings this year and also the depth that the Brisbane Broncos have got just makes the Intrust Super Cup stronger,” he said.

“If you’re an NRL player, you don’t want to play Intrust Super Cup but while you are there, you have got to give everything to get your position back in the top grade and that’s only beneficial for the Intrust Super Cup.”

Easts will host the first match of the season this Saturday with a 4.30pm kick-off at Langlands Park against Mackay.