Both Burleigh and Tweed will be hoping to kick-off their 2023 Hostplus Cup seasons with a bang in their season opening clashes this weekend.
Queensland's reserve grade competition will see 10 full-time Titans take to the field in Round 1 of the competition; with the Bears travelling to Brisbane to face Norths; meanwhile, the Seagulls fly up to the beef capital to face the Capras in Rockhampton.
Burleigh will be hoping to go one week further and make it to the big dance this year after narrowly being defeated by Redcliffe in the preliminary finals despite finishing on top of the ladder at the conclusion of the regular season.
Match: Devils v Bears
Round 1 -
home Team
Devils
12th Position
away Team
Bears
4th Position
Venue: Bishop Park, Brisbane
Under the guise of new head coach Luke Burt, Keano Kini is set to make his Hostplus Cup debut after a stunning introduction to NRL earlier this year, and will be joined on-field by Tony Francis, Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui and Jacob Alick who will all continue their stints with the club after quite successful 2022 campaigns.
For Tweed, they also have a new mentor in Dave Penna and will boast a strong Titans flavour in the halves, with Tom Weaver and Toby Sexton pairing up after perfecting their combination whilst training together at Parkwood over the off-season.
Match: Capras v Seagulls
Round 1 -
home Team
Capras
6th Position
away Team
Seagulls
10th Position
Venue: Browne Park, Rockhampton
Also joining the duo on the trip north is Joe Vuna, Klese Haas, Jaylan De Groot and Oskar Bryant - all hoping to help Tweed to a top four finish and successive finals glory after getting to week two of the playoffs next season.
This weekend will also see the first weekend of BMD Premiership action with the state's best women to shine in the statewide competition.
Burleigh also take on Norths and Tweed will join their Hostplus Cup side in Central Queensland.
