WYNNUM-MANLY Seagulls have stormed into the Queensland Cup decider with a comprehensive win over Tweed Heads on NRL grand final day.
The Seagulls will get the opportunity to atone for their 2019 final loss to Burleigh Bears when they face Norths at Redcliffe's Moreton Daily Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Wynnum let in the first four pointer of their preliminary final clash at Suncorp Stadium but turned the tide with four quick tries before the break.
Hooker Jayden Berrell crashed through some questionable Tweed goal-line defence to get Wynnum on the board before tries to Delouise Hoeter and Kalisolaite-Tualau capped off a dominant end to the half.
- Also read: Wynnum Manly Seagulls to host Mitch Cronin memorial match against Souths Logan Magpies
- Also read: Police after witnesses to brawl on sidelines of junior match between Wynnum Manly Seagulls and Logan Brothers at Kitchener Park on Sunday
- Also read: Seagulls will play Seagulls in the state rugby league competition at North Stradbroke Island this season
Tweed struck early in the second stanza through Liam Hampson, who powered his way through four Wynnum defenders to reduce the lead to 10.
But the Gold Coast side's resurgence was short-lived, with Wynnum crossing again in the 43rd minute to put one foot in the grand final.
Hoeter completed a hat-trick about 20 minutes later before Petero Civoniceva Medal winner Berrell sealed the game 40-18 in Wynnum's favour.
Wynnum captain and halfback Sam Scarlett said the side would take a lot of confidence from the game going into the weekend's decider.
"Tweed were going really well and they had a good run up to the finals," he said.
"We had that week off, which can sort of go either way.
"There is a lot we can fix up though, so we will just work hard this week."
Scarlett said the side would take motivation from their 2019 loss to Burleigh when they took the field on Sunday.
"We spoke about it at the start of pre-season," he said. "We set that goal for us boys that had been there because it hurt a lot losing that game.
"We will have that in the back pocket but it's a new squad as well so everyone is trying to look to the future and think about this game."
The grand final kicks off at 3.10pm, while Wynnum-Manly will also feature in the Hastings Deering Colts final against Townsville Blackhawks earlier in the day.
Read more local news here.
