Leading the charge for Goodna against Valleys in Round 6 of the Volunteers Cup on Saturday will be high-flying Eagle Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga.
The Central Queensland Capras’ 2019 Intrust Super Cup player of the year and back of the year made the move to the Redcliffe Dolphins in 2020 and is still committed to the Dolphins in 2021, but could not wait any longer to play some football.
“I live at Redbank and commute to Redcliffe, but I just wanted to play some football it’s been so long," Aufaga-Toomaga said.
“I just want to play with my mates and the Volunteers Cup was the perfect way to do that.”
The Goodna points-scoring machine scored two tries against Souths but did not stop there, knocking over eight goals in the big win.
Aufaga-Toomaga's 24 points last week meant he has scored a whopping 78 points in five games in the Volunteers Cup.
“We have a very simple job and everyone is doing their job at the moment, Valleys will have improved since Round 1 but I think we have too," Aufaga-Toomaga said.
Gatton v Norths
Gatton started from a long way back but made up the ground quickly in Round 5 against Valleys. The Hawks were behind 16-0 and then crawled back to 16-10 down just after half-time.
Without Shannon Hicks, Gatton gave a good account of themselves but just lack 80 minutes of good football now mainly due to inexperience.
Gatton have good periods in their games but then have some phases like Saturday when Valleys' Alex Hinch scored three tries and could have scored four if he had bigger hands and did not drop the ball over the line.
Norths were riding high at 26-0 at half-time but coach Mick Newton’s speech must have involved defence not attack because the Tigers did not score again in the game and won 26-18.
Luke Self was outstanding again for Norths and seems to be a ball magnet for the Tigers kicks all game.
The lapse in concentration after half-time will be what Norths will want to fix this week against Gatton.
Valleys v Goodna
Valleys versus Goodna will be the Rocky Balboa versus Apollo Creed bout of Round 6. The two big dogs.
Goodna are undefeated and coming off a 60-12 win over Souths. The Eagles ran away with seven tries, and were always in control as they continue to swagger through the Volunteers Cup.
Valleys are coming off a 32-10 win over Gatton and will be looking to see how far they have come since Round 1. Toowoomba Valleys came up against the Goodna powerhouse and got beaten 38-14 in Round 1.
Alex Hinch versus Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga might be the big-ticket item for Saturday. Aufaga-Toomaga scored two tries and kicked eight goals last round and Hinch scored three tries.
Souths v West End
West End showed plenty of grit to fight back against Norths from 16-0 down but they will be looking to not be in that position in the first place this week against Souths.
West End started the second half with three tries in 13 minutes and they will be looking to apply that to the first half this week. The Bulldogs were trying all day to make up ground and could not get the job done losing 26-18.
West End and Souths are both on one win and this week is a chance to sneak ahead.
Souths had their dose of some ‘Goodna medicine’ and learned some valuable lessons, Souths are injury ravaged but it is hard to see anyone stopping Goodna at the moment, injuries or not.
Souths will be looking to gain some momentum from their three second half tries.
