Norths have sealed their fifth Hostplus Cup finals appearance in the last six seasons as they prepare for tomorrow’s western Queensland showdown with Wynnum Manly.
The Devils improved their Hostplus Cup record to 12-4 after defeating Mackay Cutters in a gripping Bishop Park clash last Saturday night.
The winning try was a trick show from the halves – Sean O’Sullivan’s banana kick found Jack Ahearn leaping like a young fullback to catch and plant the ball in a 24-20 victory.
That left the Devils with 28 points on the ladder and, with a bye remaining, ensured they would have enough points to qualify for the top eight with five rounds until the finals.
But the hard work continues with the much-anticipated clash with Wynnum Manly in Augathella in the first game of the annual Country Week round.
Wynnum (28 points) have just edged the Devils out of second place on points differential in a top four that includes Townsville Blackhawks (30 points) and Burleigh Bears (27).
There is a five-point gap to fifth place after an intriguing weekend of matches.
The Auguthella clash – at the home of the Meat Ants – is the only time that the Devils and Wynnum will meet in the regular season.
The Seagulls boarded the charter flight to Charleville today with Broncos back Selwyn Cobbo on board as part of their NRL contingent.
The Devils, travelling on the same plane as the Seagulls, have Dolphins NRL players O’Sullivan and Kenny Bromwich along with 2022 premiership backs Matthew Milson and Tony Tumusa, who were with Wynnum last year.
The Devils sent an advance party to western Queensland on Tuesday, running the club’s Belong health and wellbeing program for primary schools around the region. The Devils also ran a coaching clinic for young players from Charleville this afternoon.
Devils coach Rohan Smith said the club looked forward to the Country Week visit to Charleville and Augathella following previous visits to the likes of Bowen, Wondai, Roma and Dysart.
“It’s a really good chance to experience something different and to travel away as a squad,” Smith said.
“The local people are always great to speak with and become really engaged in the games.
“Wynnum is a really good team. They’ve had a strong year and it’s a good chance for us to play against a team of this quality.”
The Devils’ self-belief helped them last Saturday when they twice fought back from deficits against the Cutters.
The Mackay team had won four consecutive matches through June and July and troubled the Devils with the speed and strength of their back five and halves.
The visitors led 8-0 before the Devils scored their first points in the right corner when Ben Stevanovic’s pass found winger Manase Kaho for a try.
Stevanovic opened the Devils’ scoring in the second half when he sprinted 30 metres off a pass from halfback O’Sullivan, dummying past the fullback.
Tumusa’s power helped him finish a try from dummy-half before the O’Sullivan-Ahearn combination gave the Devils an eight-point lead.
The Cutters scored in the last minute but ran out of time for a final shot at the premiers.
The Augathella clash is one of four remaining for the Devils before the finals. They have a trip to Cairns to meet the Northern Pride before finishing the regular season with home clashes with Burleigh and CQ Capras.
