Rugby League Coaching Manuals

By Graham Callaghan

The winner will progress straight to the grand final at Pizzey Park, Miami, on September 12 with the loser playing the winner of the minor semi-final between Tugun and the Currumbin Eagles.

Nuttall scored two tries and booted five goals in Bilambil's 29-10 win over Currumbin on August 15 but the Jets' halves, captain Paul Rolls and Tom Dawney who kicked three conversions from three attempts, did nothing wrong.

Supporters will again be looking for strong games from winger Shane Joyce, second rower Corey Blair, prop Mitch Spackman and utility forward Jim Marcus.

McCarthy refused to single out any stars saying he had a good team of workers who were coming good at the right time.

Bilambil have lost both matches with the defending premiers this season being blown off the park 52-16 the last time they met at Owen Park on August 1.

"We have plenty of threats all over the park but the last time we met we had had no go forward," said McCarthy.

"We had poor ball retention dropping the ball a lot coming off our own line and then it took its toll defensively.

"Until we address controlling the ball we can't expect to go any further."

Southport coach John Flint said hard-working representative second rower Chris Hodges was being rested but would definitely be right for their next game.

Flint said there was no upset to the team because they had players who had been in the side repeatedly during the season and would slot into the pack.

"We saw the match last Sunday when Bilambil beat Tugun and we know what we need to do and have our game plan ready to go with the boys right to rock and roll," said Flint.

"It's probably not ideal to have the week off before the grand final but to prove really how dominant we are we just want to show our authority and win to get straight through to the big match of the year.

"We have a good record against Bilambil and we know where their strengths are so it should be a good game."

The last time these sides met Southport retained the ball, particularly in the second half, after they had skipped away to an 18-0 lead after 28 minutes with halfback Willie Morunga crossing for two early tries.

"We had ball control, turned them around and then tackled them out of the game," said Flint.

In other major semi-finals Bilambil take on Southport in the reserve grade at 1.15pm with Runaway Bay playing Currumbin in the U19s at 11.45am.