This weekend the TRL will have a general bye as the Central Division carnival is held in Gladstone.
The carnival will see eight sides compete for the prestigious 47th Battalion trophy.
The Toowoomba Clydesdales will field a strong side endeavouring to capture back the title after relinquishing it to Bundaberg in 2013.
The Clydesdales will again be coached by Valleys mentor Dean Bosnich with assistance from Souths Tigers coach Russell Bailey.
The side features four players from Souths with three outside backs and hooker Chris Richardson.
The Valleys boys make up the majority of the starting pack and Gatton once again are well represented. Coach Bosnich believes the Clydesdales have a good mixture of up and coming players from the Toowoomba sides and is particularly interested to see how robust Pittsworth back-rower Mitch Carpenter performs in his representative debut.
The Clydesdales clash with hosts Gladstone in the first game scheduled for 10.30am on Saturday morning.
This will be a crucial clash and the winner could go on to play in the Grand Final on Sunday afternoon.
The Clydesdales expect to field their top squad in this vital clash. The 25 minute halves will ensure sides cannot make simple mistakes, albeit opportunities will need to be taken as sides are rewarded points in each half.
The other group sees titleholders Bundaberg and last year’s runners up Rockhampton favoured to fight it out for the other grand final position. Forced to make a prediction I think Toowoomba may play Bundaberg in the final.
Good luck to all the Clydesdales players and staff I hope we have something to celebrate on a long bus trip home Sunday afternoon.
