The 2015 Ipswich Rugby League season kicks off with all A-Grade teams featuring on Saturday at the North Ipswich Reserve.
After West End battles it out with Swifts (2.15pm) and Goodna and Fassifern meet (4pm), our Norths Tigers will take on Brothers in a grand final rematch.
The Tigers team has eight players from the victorious 2014 grand final winning side.
The squad has lost the services of fullback/centre Jarrod Biggs and prop forward Mark Appleton, who have both moved from Ipswich in the off-season due to work commitments. Halfback Ritchie Lowe has moved to play with the Toowoomba Clydesdales.
Second rower Stephen Kafer and interchange forward Steve Harling have both retired, while impact forward Gerico Cecil has had his pre-season training efforts rewarded with recent appearances in the Ipswich Jets Intrust Super Cup team.
Club captain Josh Roberts is currently injured and expected back mid-season, while Tigers workhorse prop Tim Newton is expected to return later in the year. Chris Scanlan is also unavailable this weekend due to personal reasons but will be back in round two.
New signing Brendon Marshall will start the season at five-eighth and will be joined in the halves by Steven West, whose 2014 season was cruelly ended due to injury in just round three. These two certainly provide some cool, calm and very skillful heads to steer the Tigers around.
The Tigers outside backs look strong once more with all but one featuring in the grand final, with new signing Tyson Hornbuckle to make his debut for the Tigers on the wing.
Jacob Stephan and Tuuta Manu return after years in the Jets system to give the Tigers some punch while Brent Newton will re-assume his position at second row, and remain unchallenged for the title of “Best Newton” with older brother Tim on the sideline.
Make sure you get down to the North Ipswich Reserve by 5.45pm and cheer the boys on. The boys will be in their brand new jerseys which have a rather retro look – something sure to please many a Tigers Old Boy.
A-Grade v Brothers
Saturday 11 April, 5.45pm, North Ipswich Reserve
| 1. Andrew Campbell Fullback |
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| 2. Anava Fesolai Winger |
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| 3. Matthew Fairhurst Centre |
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| 4. Tonga Mounga Centre |
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| 5. Tyson Hornbuckle Winger |
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| 6. Brendon Marshall Five-Eighth |
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| 7. Steven West Halfback |
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| 8. Tuuta Manu Prop |
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| 9. Chris Porter Hooker |
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| 10. Jacob Stephan Prop |
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| 11. Bruce Kolio Second Row |
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| 12. Brent Newton Second Row |
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| 13. Damien Peters Lock |
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| 14. Kane Fuller Interchange |
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| 15. Brad Oddi Interchange |
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| 16. Wayne Vui Interchange |
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| 17. James Stephensen Interchange |
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| 18. Lui Afele Interchange |
One player to be omitted.
