2018 INTRUST

BURLEIGH BEARS

Ins: Josh Berkers (Coogee Dolphins), Blake

Leary (NQ Cowboys), Matt Robinson (Limoux

Grizzlies), Justin Tavae (pictured, CQ Capras),

Zae Wallace (Titans NYC).

Outs: Connor Broadhurst (CQ Capras),

Anthony Gray (Tweed Heads Seagulls),

Darren Griffiths (retired), Jesse Malcolm

(Tweed Heads Seagulls), Daymeric

Pelo (Runaway Bay Seagulls), Dylan Pelo

(Runaway Bay Seagulls), Daniel Schwass

(refereeing), Keanu Te Kiri (Tugun), Waka

Wanahi (retired).

2017 finish: 9th (10 wins, 13 losses)

Coach Jim Lenihan says: “The feeling in the club is pretty good. The boys have had enough of training, they’re pretty excited about playing. It’s a really tough competition this year. So many teams have got really good gains. The usual suspects Townsville, Sunshine Coast, Easts Tigers and Redcliffe. If I had to pick one now – Townsville.” Fan on the hill says: Would have been 2017 finals contenders if not for a shocking injury toll. Have the talent and experience to be right back in the mix this year.

Tip: 2nd.

IPSWICH JETS

Ins: Marmin Barba (pictured, Mackay), Kierran Moseley (Sea Eagles), Ben Shea (WynnumManly Seagulls), Pio Seci (Fiji), Julian Christian (Broncos NYC), Sam Caslick (Sevens rugby), Silas Redd (Washington NFL), Josh Robinson (Oakey Bears), Denzel Burns (Western Mustangs).

Outs: Lachlan Roe (Sunshine Coast Falcons), Sam Martin (retired), Mikaere Beattie (released). 2017 finish: 7th (12 wins, 11 losses)

Coach Shane Walker says: “The last two years have been (awful). It’s not something we’re comfortable with. We’re looking at not just returning to the finals but winning the grand final. Redcliffe are always strong and have a big budget, so do Easts. Both Easts and Sunny Coast are well supported by the Storm, so the blokes that play in those two teams are well coached.”

Fan on the hill says: I am looking forward to seeing Ben Shea and Marmin Barba. The Jets found support for Nat Neale with Shea. He can be the support Neale will need to keep the Jets moving forward. Barba back on the Jets’ left-hand side will see him add to his 59 tries.

Tip: 10th.

NORTHERN PRIDE

Ins: Todd Carney (pictured, Salford), Adrian

Henley (Easts Tigers), Jack Murphy

(England), Jonico Hardwick (Cairns Brothers),

David Murphy (Easts Tigers), Brett Anderson

(Innisfail Leprechauns), Jack Camponolo

(Tully Tigers), James Clark (Bulldogs).

Outs: Luke George (released), Khan Ahwang (released), Jack Brock (Mackay Cutters), Fred

Koraba (released), Brad Lupi (Central

Capras), Ben Reuter (released), Joel

Riethmuller (retired), Marvin Toko (released).

2017 finish: 12th (6 wins, 17 losses)

Coach Ty Williams says: “We weren’t happy with how we finished last year. Our focus is to make finals and we want to stay in the moment. We were so close in so many games but couldn’t finish it off. We want to take advantage of the momentum when we have it.” Fan on the hill says: Carney and the Cowboy allocations will help keep the Pride in matches for longer but it’s up to the young bucks to show they’ve improved on last season. Ryan Ghietti is a club legend but may end up playing off the bench if Connor Jones comes on as expected.

Tip: 12th.

CQ CAPRAS

Ins: Dave Taylor (pictured, Toronto), Jerry Key

(Wests Tigers), Connor Broadhurst (Burleigh

Bears), Dave Cowhan (Albury Thunder), Blake

Goodman (Wests Tigers), Jamie Hill (St Marys),

Zeik Foster (Mounties), Brad Lupi (Northern

Pride).

Outs: Guy Williams (Brisbane Norths), Gavin

Hiscox (retired), Bill Cullen (Canberra Raiders),

Krys Freeman (Blackhawks), Matt Groat (Easts

Tigers), Jack Kavanagh (Sunshine Coast

Falcons), Justin Tavae (Burleigh Bears), Reece

Baker (Moranbah Miners), Ayden Cooper (work).

2017 finish: 14th (4 wins, 18 losses, 1 draw)

Coach Kim Williams says: “We will be fielding a vastly different squad in 2018 after a disappointing finish to 2017. Our recruitment was targeted at players with a strong work ethic and we feel as though we are ready to show significant improvement in 2018. A strong pre-season has prepared us well for the many challenges that lay ahead.” Fan on the hill says: The signing of NRL star Dave Taylor will be sure to boost the confidence of a new-look squad that boasts plenty of home-grown talent who will be keen to make a mark. Tip: 11th.

MACKAY CUTTERS

Ins: Jordan Grant (Wests Tigers), Tyson Martin (returning), Darcy Cox (Wests Tigers), Jack

Brock (Northern Pride), Bailey Hartwig (Norths

Devils), Jesse Dee (Steelers), Jack Hickson

(Woden Valley Rams), Walter Lauenstein

(Runaway Bay Seagulls), Jardine Bobongie

(pictured, Mackay Magpies), Sheldon Bobbert

(Souths Sharks).

Outs: Jordan Pereira (Dragons), Cooper

Bambling (Raiders), Jack Blagbrough (Leigh Centurions), Andrew Davey (Blackhawks),

Jacob Pottinger (Tweed Seagulls), Setaimata Sa

(MDRL), Jake Eden (MDRL), Isaac Richardson (MDRL).

2017 finish: 8th (10 wins, 11 losses, 2 draws)

Coach Steve Sheppard says: “I thought we made some good steps forward last year and hopefully we can build on that. With the addition of Alex Kertesz the group has been working extremely hard and I feel have given themselves every chance to perform well.” Fan on the hill: There was a buzz around the club at the end of the last season with some impressive performances against top sides. That enthusiasm has slipped over into this season. Tip: 13th.

NORTHS DEVILS

Ins: Jack Ahearn (pictured, Redcliffe), Guy

Williams (CQ Capras), Alex Bishop (Sunshine

Coast), Oshae Tuiasau (Townsville Blackhawks),

Carne Doyle-Manga (Tweed Heads Seagulls),

Sam Wright (Sunshine Coast), Nat McGavin

(Sunshine Coast), Jamayne Taunoa-Brown

(Knights), Calum Gahan (Cowboys U20s).

Outs: Billy Brittain (South Sydney), Mathiu Love-Henry (NZ Warriors), Delouise Hoeter

(Wynnum), James Taylor (Redcliffe), Tama

Koopu (Newcastle league), Michael Sio

(Wakefield Trinity/Halifax).

2017 finish: 11th (9 wins, 14 losses)

Coach Rohan Smith says: “This is a new-look Norths team for 2018. We’ve worked hard in the off-season to bring together players from different backgrounds and we expect to be a strong team. We want to create an environment in which our players can play to their potential and in a way that excites our supporters.”

Fan on the Hill says: The Devils have finally bolstered the thin front-row stocks that have hampered them since their last finals appearance in 2012, but they may still be lacking the all-round class to challenge the competition heavyweights.

Tip: 9th.

EAST TIGERS

Ins: Harley Aiono (Redcliffe Dolphins), Jack

Anderson (Souths Logan Magpies), Lachlan

Barr (Broncos/Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Delroy Berryman (retirement), Joe Bond (Valleys

Diehards), Jayden Carroll (Raiders), Evander

Cummings (Souths Logan Magpies), Jake

Elmore (Storm), Brett Greinke (Rabbitohs),

Matt Groat (pictured, CQ Capras), Jaiyden

Hunt (Storm), Lachlan Lanskey (Broncos), Kea

Pere (Storm), Josh Ralph (Titans), Jarred Tuite

(Raiders), David Tyrrell (Rabbitohs).

Outs: Mat Pitman (retired), Luke Lavelle (retired), Steve Thorpe (retired), Matt Zgrajewski (retired), Billy Walters, David Murphy (Northern Pride), Tekina Vailea (released).

2017 finish: 4th (17 wins, 7 losses, 1 draw)

Coach Scott Sipple says: “We’re always looking to improve and we were disappointed with how we finished last year. We’re pretty keen to go further this year. I have to go Townsville (as the team to beat) with the roster they have assembled.”

Fan on the hill says: Easts have a hugely talented squad featuring several current and past NRL players. No reason why they should not be in contention.

Tip: 6th.

PNG HUNTERS

Ins: Adam Korave (pictured, Ipswich league),

Junior Rau (Hela Wigmen), Mekenzie Yei

(Hela Wigmen), Kennedy Ben (Mendi

Muruks), Julius Yakopa (Mendi Muruks),

Stanley Olo (Rabaul Gurias), Illa Alu (Rabaul

Gurias), Dilbert Isaac (Rabaul Gurias), Junior

Bobby (Enga Mioks), Baunda Aba (Enga

Mioks), Brendon Gutuno (NCDC Vipers),

John Andy (Lae Tigers), Charlie Simon (Lae

Tigers), Patrick Morea (POM Academy).

Outs: Wellington Albert (Widnes Vikings), Stanton Albert (Widnes Vikings), Israel Eliab (released), Bland Abavu (released), David Loko (released), Brandy Peter (released), Karo Kauna Jnr (released), Esau Siune (retired).

2017 finish: Premiers (20 wins, 5 losses, 1 draw)

Coach Michael Marum says: “Our focus this season is to make the finals again. We understand it’s going to be tough but we will take it one game at a time. Sunshine Coast Falcons will be one of the (teams to beat) but most have recruited well.”

Fan on the hill says: Expectations are high, as per usual, but history tells the competition that premiers tend to find life a bit tougher after a title.

Tip: 7th.

Townsville looks the team to beat, but the race for the 2018 Intrust Super Cup premiership is hardly a one-horse race. We look at all the comings and goings across the competition, and get a final word from the coaches and the Fan on the Hill on what shapes to be another exciting season.