Things are really hotting up in the Intech Men’s Open 1 competition, with premiership leaders Brothers leading the competition on 18 points after thrashing an Albany Creek Crushers side boasting two former internationals in Sam Thaiday and Justin Hodges 40-0.
Two hundred plus-game veteran for the Brethren Scott Munro, playmaker Michael Purcell and the talented William Junior were the pick of the Brethren, with Junior’s impeccable kicking game one of the highlights of the match.
With four rounds remaining, this week’s fixture between the Brethren and Brisbane Natives, again at Gibson Park, poses to be a curious match up with the Natives capable of beating anyone on their day.
The Round 7 clash will also be a special day for the Brothers club for another reason.
The Jimmy Johnson Memorial Old Boys Day, in memory of club stalwart Johnson, will be honoured with an unveiling of a memorial in his name, watched on by former Brothers old boys, in what poses to be an emotional day for the club.
Elsewhere, Redlands coming off a 28-16 win over Brisbane Natives last weekend, entertain Wynnum Seagulls at Pinklands Sports Ground in the battle of the bayside.
Natives, who gave the Parakeets a late scare in last weekends fixture, were simply outclassed in the end by a Redlands side who have tasted finals footballs regularly in the past few seasons.
Superbly led by hooker Craig Matheson, the Parakeets will be hungry for the two points on offer this weekend with the bayside club sitting in fourth spot on the ladder.
The Parakeets will also be vying for the Josh Pope Shield in honour of their water boy Pope, who is wheelchair bound, but has become an integral part of the senior men’s outfit each week.
Noffke Farm Park sees an interesting match-up between the Waterford Demons, sitting in second spot, and a dangerous Wests Mitchelton Panthers, sitting just inside the top five.
Waterford, who thrashed Brighton Roosters last weekend 24-0, will be out to cement the much-needed two points on offer to stay in the hunt, with finals football just around the corner.
Mitchelton coming off a 32-16 win over Wynnum, will be looking to experienced players in Sam Vaughey and fullback and captain Liam Faigaa, to try and knock off the Demons who boast an array of players from last year’s Beenleigh Pride premiership-winning side.
Albany Creek Crushers will again be looking to their experienced players to stop a rampaging Beerwah Bulldogs, who thrashed a disappointing Bulimba Bulldogs 44-6 in last weekend’s fixtures.
Crushers coach Nathan Sologinkin will be relying heavily on playmaking halves Matt Lennon and former Redcliffe star Michael Roberts, to try and salvage what is left of the Crushers' season.
Bulimba Bulldogs should account for last placed Brighton Roosters who are winless this season, as the two teams do battle at Easts Tigers' Totally Workwear Stadium at noon.
The Bulldogs will be looking to hooker Jakob Cerneka and halfback Dean Sheppard to ruffle the Roosters feathers.
