Ipswich will continue to shuffle players in this year’s Brisbane Rugby League pre-season competition regardless of results, according to coach Mark Bishop.
The Jets overcame an early deficit to beat West Brisbane 36-26 in round one on Saturday, but many of those faces won’t back up next weekend.
“We’ve still got guys that we haven’t played – we’re treating these games purely as trials, so that Ben and Shane (Walker) get a chance to have a look at everyone,” Bishop said.
Ipswich adopted a similar rotation policy last season.
They didn’t win a pre-season match but went on to claim the premiership.
With last year’s BRL Player of the Year Haydan Lipp earning a promotion to the Jets Intrust Super Cup team, the five-eighth spot is wide open.
Former Warriors Under 20s playmaker Makaere Beattie got first crack on Saturday, laying on the last pass for several tries and booting four goals.
“I think he’s played New Zealand touch as well, we got him on a recommendation from the Mad Butcher”, Bishop said.
“We’ve got a few options for six and seven, Makaere got first crack this week, but we’ll trial a few others.”
West Brisbane scored the first three tries, including a dummy and go from halfback Ollie Olds, for an 18-nil lead.
But the Jets responded with four-straight, taking a 20-18 lead into sheds before closing out the second half.
Bishop said the result proved the club has depth in all positions.
“It means that everyone is on board with what we’re trying to do,” he said.
“Once we controlled the footy we played well.”
STRUDDY’S SPORTS PRE-SEASON ROUND ONE RESULTS
Friday 4 March
EASTS TIGERS 28 (Whetu Austin, Jamie Anderson, Guy Hamilton, Shane Gillham, Jake Hargreaves tries; Guy Hamilton 4 goals) def LOGAN BROTHERS 4 (Nikau Martell-Cassidy try) at Civic Park, Logan Central.
Saturday 5 March
NORMANBY HOUNDS 58 (Jack Walters 3, Luke Archer 2, Matthew Currie, Anthony Seeto, Tyson Skyring, Samuel Gardel, James Bannerman tries; Marc Jarman 7, Rex Johnson 2 goals) def CARINA 6 (John Borland try; John Borland goal) at Purtell Park, Bardon.
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 42 (Ashley Harawira 2, Dan Randall 2, Rinsma Saueha, Glen Ellis, Hayden Hansen, Jaz Nahu-Main tries; Tyson Gamble 5 goals) def GATERS 4 (Dwayne Duncan try) at South Pine Sports Complex, Brendale.
IPSWICH JETS 36 (Lachlan Roe 2, Ono So’oialo, Kyle McConnell, Theeran Pearson, Abraham Atallah, Maxwell Fesolai tries; Makaere Beattie 4 goals) def WEST BRISBANE PANTHERS 26 (David Faamita 2, Maeli Seve, Ollie Olds, Kristian Wanka tries; Luke Pollock 3 goals) at North Ipswich Reserve.
Sunday 6 March
VALLEYS DIEHARDS 22 (Tom Collins, Rhett Webster, Kobi Mills, Ryley Kajewski tries; Jack Miller 3 goals) def WYNNUM MANLY REDLAND CITY SEAGULLS 16 (Hayden Crowley 3 tries; Tyson Brooks 2 goals) at BMD Kougari Oval, Wynnum.
LADDER
Normanby 2 (+52), Redcliffe 2 (+38), Easts 2 (+24) Ipswich 2 (+10), Valleys 2 (+8), Wynnum Manly RC 0 (-8), West Brisbane 0 (-10), Logan Brothers 0 (-24), Gaters 0 (-38), Carina 0 (-52)
