Gatton fullback Tyson White is embracing the challenge this weekend will provide when the Hawks take on the Eagles at Goodna in Round 9 of the Volunteers Cup.
“I am really looking forward to the challenge this week against Goodna,” White said.
“It’s all about these tests and that’s what I have enjoyed about this competition.
“I did the pre-season with the Ipswich Jets Hastings Deering Colts and learned so much from Brendon Marshall.
“Then, I was back playing for Gatton and have learned so much to take back next pre-season.”
Gatton learned some valuable teachings last time they were up against the ladder-leaders.
“We were winning 12-0 last time and lost, so we have shown that we can take the lead and just need to keep it," White said.
“I think we have definitely improved as the competition has gone on and this week we need to show that."
West End Bulldogs v Valleys Roosters
1.30pm Saturday, September 26 - Richardson Park
Valleys are in outright second on 12 points and two points behind leaders Goodna.
They will want to keep pace with the Eagles and be ready to pounce should they slip up in the next two weeks.
Valleys came away from Round 8 with a 26-18 win over Norths and will be looking to get another win over an Ipswich side this week when facing West End.
Valleys led 16-4 at half-time and cruised to the finish line, despite Norths showing some fight after the break with two four-pointers.
Alex Hinch scored three tries for Valleys as the Roosters flexed their muscle.
West End came up against a Goodna side that lost last week and unfortunately for the Bulldogs, they felt the wrath of the Eagles, losing 28-16.
West End showed some fight coming back from 24-4 to close the gap, but even though Goodna could be slowed slightly, the juggernaut couldn’t be stopped.
West End have two games left and must win both of them.
Norths Tigers v Souths Tigers
3.30pm Saturday, September 26 - Richardson Park
The battle of the compass will see Norths versus Souths on Saturday.
Both Tigers' outfits are coming off a loss - Norths to Valleys 28-16 and Souths 28-20 against Gatton.
Souths were in front 20-12 at one stage and should have shut any comeback down; but not only did they let Gatton come back, but also let them take home the two points.
The concern was the seven sin-bins during the match... it certainly had plenty of feeling and questionable discipline choices.
Norths are on 10 points and keeping pace with the finals spot, with no real threat from behind. The danger for the Tigers is that they lose against teams they'll need to beat in the finals when it really matters.
Norths' best period of play was just after half-time when they scored two tries and closed the gap to just two points.
Goodna Eagles v Gatton Hawks
5.30pm Saturday, September 26 - Richardson Park
Like in Rocky III when he is defeated by Clubber Lang and has to come back, Goodna struck back from their first defeat last week to beat West End 28-16.
The Eagles' Saunda Seumanutafa scored two tries and Goodna were back 24-4 and in complete control.
They are still on top of the table, two points clear of second place and this week is at their home ground.
Gatton were behind at half-time, but showed lots of the fight that they need this week if they are to knock off the heavyweights.
It was on the back of two Tyson White tries that got them home in last week's victory, and the Hawks will no doubt turn to their fullback again to chime in where required to get the job done.
