By William Crutcher
Jordan Lipp’s halftime magic act gave Norths a buffer that extended into their 10th consecutive Hostplus Cup finals win yesterday afternoon at Bishop Park.
The Devils’ 24-12 qualifying final win over Townsville Blackhawks secured a home preliminary final in two weeks against the winner of Sunday’s elimination final between Wynnum-Manly and Ipswich.
The Devils were leading 10-6 as the halftime siren sounded with the Blackhawks carting the ball out of their own quarter. The visitors inexplicably pushed a pass that Lipp plucked from the air and cruised over for an intercept try next to the posts.
Sean O’Sullivan’s conversion sent the Devils to a 16-6 lead which they extended seven minutes into the second half when O’Sullivan started a 30-metre raid through forwards Brody Tamarua and Sam Elliott for a superb try.
The Devils finished strongly, conceding their lowest score since July and stretching their record for consecutive finals wins. Ipswich (five wins, 2015-2018) held the record before the Devils began their streak in 2021 under coach Rohan Smith.
Jack Ahearn, Jacob Gagan, Matthew Milson, Ben Nakubuwai and Jerome Veve, who all represented Norths yesterday, played in that first finals win in 2021 in a match featuring NRL regulars Brendan Piakura (Norths) and Toby Sexton (Tweed).
Ahearn, Gagan, Lipp, Elliott, captain Kierran Moseley and winger Manase Kaho were the six Devils who played in last year’s grand final win as the home team began their 2025 finals campaign.
Smith said the Devils retained their composure against the tough Blackhawks to book the club’s fourth preliminary final in five seasons.
“Finals are a different competition and we were able to compose ourselves when it was needed against a good team,” Smith said.
“It was an important win that keeps our momentum moving forward. An extra week’s break is helpful at this time of year.”
Smith will coach his sixth final for Norths in two weeks and will coach his first preliminary final at Bishop Park after the 2021 grand final qualifier was moved to Suncorp Stadium on NRL grand final day.
The Blackhawks began well yesterday, stunning the strong crowd with a second-minute try to Dudley Dotoi to go ahead 6-0.
Townsville’s early momentum was halted as Norths piled on 16 unanswered points to close out the first half.
The Devils opened their scoring with a slick try in the 13th minute. A backline move went from one side of the field to the other, passing through five sets of hands before Kaho sprinted over to score.
A solo act from winger Tony Tumusa, picking up a loose ball and running 70 metres to score, put the Devils ahead 10-6 in the 30th minute.
After Elliott’s try in the 47th minute, Norths took a penalty goal to extend their lead to 18 points.
A Blackhawks’ try in the 61st minute gave room for an interesting finish as the Devils lead was cut to 12.
The Devils made one change to the team that defeated the Capras seven days earlier, bringing in Veve for Dolphins NRL forward Kenny Bromwich (shoulder).
Peter Hola and Sebastian Su’a were the starting props while Elliott, Jackson Shereb and James Flack were in the backrow.
Rookie utility Lauloto Salei made a promising finals debut in a team again well led by Moseley.
The Devils will play for a grand final berth in two weeks against the winner of the Seagulls and the Jets on Sunday.
NORTHS DEVILS 24 (Manase Kaho, Tony Tumusa, Jordan Lipp, Sam Elliott tries, Sean O’Sullivan 3 goals, Jordan Lipp 1 goal) bt TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS 12 (Dudley Dotoi, Jackson Owen tries, Jack Campagnolo 2 goals) at Bishop Park.
Photo by Alan Drinnen
