The big day is here – the Intrust Super Cup Grand Final between Norths Devils and Wynnum Seagulls – and it has done so against the odds. To celebrate and provide as much information as possible here is our 2021 Intrust Super Cup Grand Final Preview & Stats.
With the entire 2020 season cancelled after just one game, and multiple lockdowns and outbreaks threatening to do the same and match the NSW Cup, the Intrust Super Cup has powered on, losing just a handful of rounds throughout the season. A commendable effort from the QRL, Clubs and players alike.
It has brought a little ray of sunshine every weekend in an otherwise similarly forgettable year as 2020.
And who could argue that the two teams that have made it don’t deserve it. Both were front runners for the first half of the season, with Norths continuing their run all the way to a minor premiership and just the two losses. Wynnum stumbled a bit in the second half of the season but finished still second and won their finals games well.
Norths will be looking for a first premiership since 1998, and have made one Grand Final since in 2010. Wynnum were involved in the most recent Grand Final in 2019, but will be hoping to better their loss to Wynnum.
But who wins this weekend?
Norths have the numerical advantage from 2021 but Wynnum have the recent H2H advantage.
Both have current or former NRL stars, but also very reliable and trusted Intrust Super competitors and young upcoming talent.
There isn’t much in it at all.
Our weekly previews usually feature expert tips from Intrust Super CEO Brendan O’Farrell, Intrust Super Cup man of knowledge Matt Crowhurst, and us. And that won’t change in our 2021 Intrust Super Cup Grand Final Preview. The expert tips are below.
There’s also stats for H2H, for the 2021 season, and various points of interest and barely interesting facts.
Probably more than one could ever need or want.
2021 Intrust Super Cup Grand Final Tips
BRENDAN O’FARRELL – CEO INTRUST SUPER
WYNNUM SEAGULLS to beat Norths Devils
MATT CROWHURST – ISC GURU
NORTHS DEVILS to beat Wynnum Seagulls
THE GURGLER – MEDIOCRE WEBSITE
NORTHS DEVILS to beat Wynnum Seagulls
CURRENT LEADERBOARD
BRENDAN O’FARRELL – Season 65% 78/120 – Last Round 2/2
MATT CROWHURST – Season 63% 51/81 – Last Round N/A
THE GURGLER – Season 64% 77/120 – Last Week 2/2
2021 Intrust Super Cup Grand Final Stats Preview
Here is where we have all the stats and stuff that one could ever need or want.
This Week’s Teams originally published on QRL website.
NORTHS DEVILS v WYNNUM SEAGULS
SUNDAY 3:10PM (Cow Time)
TV – Channel Nein, Foxtel, Kayo, NeinNow App
So it has come to this, a final blast through the stats and stuff for Norths Devils and Wynnum Seagulls. Who wins? The bunch of stats and stuff will more than likely overload rather than give a winner.
Norths have the 2021 advantage having lost just twice during the regular season. One loss was a huge 36-0 defeat to Burleigh which Norths sorted out last weekend, and the other was to the ever unpredictable Ipswich who had a good day in the last round of the season. The “loss they had to have”? Possibly. It worked during the finals so maybe.
Norths had the best attack all season at 30.6 points per game and the best defence too. Their 18.8 points conceded per game was the only side to average less than 20 points against this season.
Talking of consistency in defence, in both of Norths’ finals games and the second last round of the season the Devils conceded exactly 16 points.
They only conceded 30 points or more twice in 2021 and on both of those occasions they lost. Wynnum have scored 30 or more points just three times in the last 10 matches they played in 2021, but importantly one of those occasions was last weekend where they looked sharp against the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Flockbuster.
Interestingly, looking at points scored per game on a Sunday, Wynnum’s 30.7 points per game just pips Norths’ 29.0. Probably helped by last Sunday’s games. Devils are slightly better in defence on a Sunday (19 v 21.6) so for points scoring and conceding on a Sunday it couldn’t get too much closer.
One big difference for the 2021 season was the form slump that Wynnum slid into from Round 10. Having won nine straight to start the season, Wynnum would go on to lose five of their next seven games, and a win on the last weekend of the season only gave them second place on points difference to Burleigh, which turned out OK for the Seagulls.
Looking at some of our quick stats above for the 2021 season Norths are only just ahead of Wynnum for winning on a Sunday. The Devils have the superior season record v top four opponents too. Throw in winning away from home (which both are this weekend) and winning against fellow Brisbane sides.
2021 stats may go the Devils way, but there are some key stats that go Wynnum’s way. Since 2014, where our stats go back to (PNG Hunters era), Norths have failed to win any of their four games at Dolphin Oval, the venue of the 2021 Intrust Super Cup Grand Final. Worryingly all of those losses have come on a Sunday.
Wynnum have won four of their seven games at Dolphin Oval against Redcliffe since 2014, however they have lost their last three at the venue and throw in the 2019 Grand Final loss at Redcliffe and their recent record is not much better than Norths.
The Seagulls are just ahead for games won in September/October though.
Need more stats? Of course you do.
For the Minor Premier, the glorious PNG Hunters win courtesy of the great Willie Minoga in 2017 was the last time a Minor Premier won the premiership. But that is really only two seasons in a row. Before that the stats for finishing first in the regular season are more flattering. Between 2007 and 2011 the Minor Premiers won the title, and every second season after that to 2017. So it looks like being Minor Premier is a good thing.
The last team to win a premiership from second was the Northern Pride in 2014. They did go on to become the first ever State Championship winners. Sadly, that isn’t happening this season. Another reason to hate Covid.
Before the 2019 loss, Wynnum did win their last two Grand Finals as they went back to back against Tweed Heads and Redcliffe in a nice double against two of their bigger rivals, Easts aside.
If you’re looking at players to watch than you can’t go much further past the two hookers for both sides. Jayden Burrell was the Intrust Super Cup player of the Season in 2021 and best on ground last weekend against Tweed Heads. Burrell was equal fourth this season for line breaks, which is a decent effort for a hooker.
His opposite number Danny Levi was also excellent last weekend, and throughout 2021 for both Norths and the Brisbane Broncos when given a chance.
For fans of tries and speed Jonathon Reuben is your man. The leading try scorer this season, and he recently racked up 100 career tries. He was third for line breaks this season too, and is very quick when given free space. He is actually behind team mate Tony Tumusa who isn’t in the Grand Final team for Sunday.
Scoring not quite as many tries but even more reliable is the Seagulls’ Delouise Hoeter, who has also payed for the Devils. He scored a hat trick last weekend against Tweed Heads so is in red hot scoring form. He forms a pretty deadly back five with occasional Broncos players Selwyn Cobbo, Jesse Arthars, David Mead and Richie Kennar.
PNG fans will notice Kumuls star David Mead for Wynnum and should be equally delighted to see Nene McDonald covering the Norths PNG supporting side. So plenty even for the PNG fans even though the Hunters had an underwhelming season. Just a shame Nixon Putt moved to the Capras this season, as he would have been the man to watch on Sunday.
Tyrone Roberts will be the name most people know from his NRL days, but for us the lesser known Wynnum halves could be the big difference. Jack Campagnolo is the top point scorer this season, and a fine piece of recruitment by Wynnum from the Northern Pride this season. Sam Scarlett too is one of the best halfbacks in the Intrust Super and leads the stats for line engaged this season.
We could go on and one, but won’t. For those interested here are the Grand Final teams, and here are the 2021 season stats. If you need anymore.
Taking all the above into account, the 2021 stats say the Devils, the historical stats and arguably the teams on paper favour Wynnum.
We’re saying Norths and a win for the blue, gold and blue. Devils yes it’s true.
Final say: Norths Devils by 12
