Sunshine Coast coach Sam Mawhinney says his charges want to honour James Ackerman by playing with the same tenacity he showed.
The Falcons and the Redcliffe Dolphins – arch-rival clubs that James played for – will contest the James Ackerman Cup at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Saturday.
The match will be a curtain-raiser to the NRL clash involving Melbourne and Gold Coast.
It will be fifth edition of the Cup after James died in 2015, following an on-field incident.
He died of bleeding on the brain, two days after being felled in a game against Norths at Bishop Park in Nundah.
Since James’ passing, James’ aunty and mother started the James Ackerman Legacy, raising awareness for organ and tissue donation and player welfare.
Sonya, James’ mum, works closely with Donatelife and travels to schools around the Sunshine Coast sharing her story with grade 10,11 and 12 Health Students.
James’ youngest brother, Tom, helped design the James Ackerman headgear which was sold in all Rebel sports stores and was promoted and worn by rugby league legend Jonathan Thurston in 2017.
Mawhinney said the Falcons have spoken about this weekend’s match and the legacy of James.
“It’s as much emotion as you will get with a game … it’s probably our biggest game of the season, aside from a grand final,” he said.
“We’re definitely keen to put on a really good performance and honour James.”
He said the players are determined to play in the same manner the prop did.
“James was a hard worker and a really tough, honest competitor.”
“Those are some tributes that people associate with James and that’s the way we want to play this weekend.
“That’s the best way to honour him – be tough and resilient and work hard.”
Falcons players talked about James and the match during their first training session of this week.
“There is a reference to him on our jerseys (#JA8) and the No.8 jersey is retired in honour of him,” Mawhinney said.
“The guys who have been at the club are aware of the significance, but so are the new guys at club.”
The Falcons have won four games and lost four games so far this season.
They are 8th of 14 teams after 8 of 19 rounds, and face a sixth-placed Dolphins outfit which has won five games and lost three.
The Dolphins are coached by Sunshine Coast product and ex-Queensland representative Adam Mogg.
“We’ve got a pretty strong side for this weekend,” Mawhinney said.
The team includes ex-Newcastle playmaker Jarrod Mullen, who is set to play five-eighth for the Falcons for the first time.
“That’s something he’s been working really hard for, so he’s pretty excited and so are we, to see what he can offer,” Mawhinney said.
Forwards Sam Bernstrom and Kurt Baptiste are poised to return from injury and suspension respectively.
“They will stiffen up our middle,” Mawhinney said.
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The Dolphins lead the JA Cup head-to-head record, 3-1.
They won from 2016 to 2018 before the Falcons won in 2019.
Last year’s match was cancelled due to the threat of COVID-19.
A large crowd should attend the match, which will be held before the Round 13 NRL game involving the Storm and Titans.
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That match was relocated from Melbourne, after a spike in COVID-19 cases there.
“It’s pretty cool how the stars have aligned for our biggest game to be lined up with the Storm game,” Mawhinney said,
“We’re going to have a pretty significant crowd there, so it’s a great opportunity for the guys to show their stuff.”
The Falcons should have two Storm-affiliated players in their line-up, Jack Howarth and Trent Loiero. The latter is a Sunshine Coaster.
GAME DAY
Falcons v Dolphins (James Ackerman Cup), Saturday, Sunshine Coast Stadium, 4pm. Curtain raiser to NRL game involving Melbourne Storm and Gold Coast Titans. Tickets via Ticketek.
1.45pm: Gates open
2.15pm: Sunshine Coast Falcons vs Redcliffe Dolphins – Hastings Deering Colts
4pm: Sunshine Coast Falcons v Redcliffe Dolphins (James Ackerman Cup) – Intrust Super Cup
7pm – Melbourne Storm v Gold Coast Titans – National Rugby League Telstra Premiership
