Round 4 of the Brisbane Rugby League Premier A Grade competition will kick off this Saturday after an Easter recess.
Bulimba Bulldogs, Beenleigh Pride and West Brisbane remain undefeated after three rounds, all equal on nine points, with just 24 for-and-against points separating first and third.
Valleys Diehards and Pine River Bears have lost just one game while Brighton Roosters and Souths Juniors have tasted victory once.
Wynnum Manly Juniors, Normanby Hounds and Carina Tigers are yet to register a win and will be returning from the break with a vengeance.
With a top five finals series this season, the bottom three sides will need to make their move in the coming weeks.
Current competition leaders Bulimba will host Pine Rivers at Bulimba Sports Reserve at 3pm on Saturday, with the Bears needing to be at their defensive best against the Bulldogs, who have averaged 35 points per game.
Pine Rivers have won two on the trot after a first-round loss and are building nicely.
Wynnum Manly Juniors - who host Souths Juniors at Kitchener Park at 3pm - have produced two impressive 40-minute halves this season, albeit in two different games.
They led 18-0 in Round 1 against the Pride, only to be run down, and came from a 24-6 deficit to win the second half against Valleys 22-6, but it was not enough to secure the win.
The Magpies meanwhile bounced back last round to test the Bears after the defeat at Emerson Park in the previous week.
Elsewhere, Carina will host Valleys at Leo Williams at 4.45pm.
Carina tested West Brisbane two weeks ago - scoring first before going down 28-20 - and with that kind of fight, it will come as no surprise if they register a win over the reigning premiers.
The Tigers will post a win at some stage, but Valleys will not want to be the first to allow that.
Brighton returns to Jim Lawrie to continue their rivalry with West Brisbane at 6.30pm.
Last year’s grand finalist, the Panthers, were impressive against the Seagulls in Round 2, however their other two outings have been only just enough to salute the judge.
West Brisbane will need their Panther mojo to take on the plucky Roosters who take pride in making trouble for visitors on their home turf.
Brighton took it to the Pride to only go down by six in their last start, while the Panthers will need to go to the next level if they are to deny the tri-colours.
The Pride, meanwhile, have been the talk of the competition with their relentless style of play.
They have resumed their form from the second half of 2021 to produce a full 80 minutes with each game and will look to continue that consistency against Normanby.
The Hounds require an 80-minute effort if they are to push the Pride.
Normanby have displayed impressive periods in their first three rounds and will need to put all that out on to Hammel Park from 6.30pm.
A wounded hound is something you need to approach with caution.
BRL Premier A Grade Round 4
Saturday, April 23
3pm: Wynnum Jnrs v Souths Jnrs at Kitchener Park
3pm: Bulimba v Pine Rivers at Balmoral Rec Reserve
4.45pm: Carina v Valleys at Leo Williams Oval
6.30pm: Beenleigh v Normanby at Hammel Park
6.30pm: Brighton v Wests at Jim Lawrie Oval
Main image: Valleys in action. Photo: Vanessa Hafner
