Western Mustangs will be battling it out for their first win of the 2021 season when they come up against the Burleigh Bears in Round 3 of the Hastings Deering Colts competition this weekend.
Match: Bears v Clydesdales
Round 3 -
home Team
Bears
away Team
Clydesdales
Venue: Pizzey Park, Gold Coast
Mustangs coach Eugene Seddon said his side's poor completion of the game’s basics, as well as their ball control, led to their underwhelming start to the season.
“It’s frustrating, particularly on the weekend, it was cold and raining and we couldn’t even catch a cold,” Seddon said.
“It just doesn’t give us an opportunity to do anything and generate any sort of field position or attacking opportunities.
“We just found ourselves behind the goal line on the back of our errors and against quality opposition like the Falcons, we were down 30-0 after 20 minutes.”
Their opposition, the Bears, have also had some downs this season, but an impressive win against the Brisbane Tigers in Round 1 is a shining beacon of hope and confidence.
However, after suffering two heavy losses on the trot, Seddon said he was expecting another tough challenge this weekend against the Bears.
“They’ll certainly be a stiff opposition who are going to be physical and fairly solid across the park,” Seddon said.
“They’ll kick down, jam up and try and get good field position and that starts with Tristan Powell, who is starring for them and leading their pack.
“But we just need to focus on ourselves and give ourselves the best opportunity to get some points on the board by defending well and nailing the basics, otherwise it will be another cricket score.”
The Bears will also need to make improvements on their game, with their defence being a troubling issue throughout the season to date, conceding 56 points across their two games.
If the Bears' outside backs are to make any inroads into the Mustangs defence, their middles will need to put in another game-breaking performance like they did in Round 1.
Seddon said his team's halfback Brenton Clement and hooker Brandon Clarke had been two standouts for them this season and hoped their form could lift the rest of the squad this weekend.
Elsewhere in the competition this weekend, games will be played across the state.
Mackay Cutters are coming off a big win against Central Queensland Capras last weekend, but will need to go up another level if they are to beat the high flying and undefeated Souths Logan Magpies.
Match: Cutters v Magpies
Round 3 -
home Team
Cutters
away Team
Magpies
Venue: BB Print Stadium, Mackay
Redcliffe Dolphins were on top of the world after a 72-4 Round 1 victory over the Central Queensland Capras, but were brought back down to earth with a loss to Wynnum Manly Seagulls last weekend. They will come up against a Tweed Seagulls side who are high on confidence after a gritty win against the Bears.
Match: Dolphins v Seagulls
Round 3 -
home Team
Dolphins
away Team
Seagulls
Venue: Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe
Ipswich Jets will be looking to avoid three losses in a row to start the season and the Capras - after a dominating 54-4 performance against the Mackay Cutters - stand in their way.
Match: Jets v Capras
Round 3 -
home Team
Jets
away Team
Capras
Venue: North Ipswich Reserve, Ipswich
A top-of-the-table clash between Townsville Blackhawks and Sunshine Coast Falcons is set to leave one team undefeated while the other will find themselves with their first loss of the season.
Match: Blackhawks v Falcons
Round 3 -
home Team
Blackhawks
away Team
Falcons
Venue: Jack Manski Oval, Townsville
The Seagulls sit at the top of the table and will come up against a rising Brisbane Tigers outfit who will be eager to dethrone them after a good win against the Jets last weekend.
Match: Tigers v WM Seagulls
Round 3 -
home Team
Tigers
away Team
WM Seagulls
Venue: Totally Workwear Stadium, Brisbane