Seagulls promise to ‘have the last laugh’

TWEED coach Tim Maccan has declared his side will “have the last laugh” after star frontrower Jack Cullen was suspended days out from the Mal Meninga Cup grand final against the Townsville Blackhawks.

In a massive blow to the travelling Seagulls, Cullen (pictured), whom Maccan believes has been the premiere front-rower in the statewide under-18 competition this season, was ruled out for Saturday’s clash little more than 24 hours before the team was to board a plane to Townsville.

“Found guilty of a crusher tackle, on probable cause – an absolute joke,” Maccan said.

“There’s no evidence he did a crusher tackle … he was found guilty of probable cause.

“So now one of our gun middles has been taken out of the game.

“He’s been the best frontrower in the competition in our opinion.

“He’s set the standard in the competition for how a representative front-rower should play.

“That’s just another kick in the guts, really. But we have quality players and good depth.

“We’ll accept it an move on. We’ll have the last laugh.”

It’s just another in a long line of slights Maccan says have gone against Tweed, this season and previous.

“Since I’ve coached this team, in either semi-finals or grand finals – any final we’ve played in – we’ve always had to travel,” he said.

“I don’t know if it’s that we’re a NSW team playing in a Queensland comp or just how it’s been drawn, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s a bit like NSW versus Queensland in a way. We haven’t gone too much into that though.

“We always seem to get the raw end of the stick with games. Now we’re travelling to Townsville. But we’re ready.”