The sky could be the limit when the rampaging Waves Tigers get the chance to all but seal the Bundaberg Broadcasters A Grade Premiership minor title in their Round 14 showdown with the beleaguered cellar dwellers Wallaroos.
After seven straight victories, the Tigers are four points clear of Hervey Bay Seagulls at the top of the table and - as they currently trail them on net points differential 130 to 136 - a big win at Salter Oval at 4.30pm tomorrow would be a good safety buffer for them ahead of the last two rounds of the home and away season against Past Brothers and Hervey Bay, respectively.
Waves only beat Roos 34-22 when they last met at Eskdale Park on June 4, but while Maryborough have gone from strength-to-strength, their only joy since then was a 14-all draw with Easts Magpies a fortnight ago before suffering a heavy 44-14 home loss to Brothers last Saturday.
They will be playing for pride in their last three games of the season as they are six points behind fifth-placed Easts with a massive negative points differential of -292 to the Magpies’ +8, and the Tigers could go for the kill.
In the match that follows at 6.30pm, much is also at stake in the duel between two-times defending champions Brothers and last year’s beaten grand finalists Easts, while at Stafford Park, hosts and former leaders Hervey Bay will be hungry to return to their brilliant best against Wests Panthers at 5pm after managing just one draw from their past three starts, before a 48-10 mauling by the Tigers and a shock 20-18 defeat at the hands of the Magpies.
Brothers’ form had been very patchy, but they have started to put it together at the right time of the season with a 16-all draw with Seagulls in Hervey Bay, before a tough 28-26 dispatch of Wests prior to last week’s blitz of Roos.
But they need to win again to shore up a top three berth, as a loss could see them slip back into fourth position danger zone and with the job in front of them to book a place in the qualifying final and secure a double-chance in the play-offs.
Easts were put to the sword by the Brethren 50-32 at their last encounter on June 5 in the middle of a six-match drought, but while they prevailed by just two points in their return to the winners’ circle last weekend, that was without their captain/coach Matt Craven, and with the confidence gained from that victory, they need to only return to their best to beat any team in the competition.
They did outclass Brothers 46-30 in their first clash of 2022 back on April 23, and an epic duel could be on the cards between the two traditional heavyweights.
Wests inflicted Hervey Bay’s first loss of the season at Stafford Park to the tune of 38-24 on April 23, but the Seagulls reversed the result 32-16 at Salter Oval on June 5.
But the Panthers are also coming off two straight losses, to Brothers and Waves 30-22 respectively, and they too will be fired up for points.
Toowoomba Round 12 previews
Saturday July 9
4.30pm: Newtown Lions v Goondiwindi Boars, Jack Martin Centre
Newtown Lions will proudly celebrate NAIDOC week when they wear their traditional jerseys, adding a special touch to this game. Goondiwindi will be fresher after the week off and they would have relished the rest after their brutal clash against Valleys last round.
6.30pm: Toowoomba Brothers v Dalby Diehards, Glenholme Park
Brothers host their second home game in a row when they take on Dalby Saturday.
It will be different than last round - colder and at night. The Leprechauns were disappointing last round against Wattles and somehow, they need to lift to continue in this tough competition.
They had some good individual efforts last start and they would have had two weeks of training to look back and hopefully they respond.
Of all the teams in the competition, Dalby would have enjoyed the week off as their injury conversations this season have been many.
The Diehards are coming off a couple of tough games against Gatton and Oakey. Whilst they are expected to take this match, they will not take Brothers lightly.
6.30pm: Oakey Bears v Gatton Hawks, Trevor Mickleborough Oval
This is a danger match for the Hawks.
It was one hell of a tough game last week in the Madsen Rasmussen. They will be bruised and battered and Oakey have been more than competitive these last few rounds.
While Gatton will be disappointed in last week, they will still be upbeat as Highfields had to play pretty well to beat them.
But they need to keep their minds on the job as they found out last week how difficult it is going to be to have a crack at this year's premiership.
Sunday July 10
6.30pm: Toowoomba Valleys Roosters v Wattles Warriors, John McDonald Sports Complex
These matches are always ones to look forward to. They just seem to go at each other every time they play.
Wattles got the chocolates in the first round at home 32-16 but I can forgive the Roosters for that loss. Valleys are along the competition now and combinations are settled.
They have players standing up and this will be a match and a half.
Wattles have just lifted their intensity lately, no matter who the opponent. Travis Burns knows the closeness of this competition and he also knows how important this match is in the scheme of the season.
Both clubs have tough second round draws and any win against fellow top sides are gold.
The forwards clash will be the key. Both packs are getting towards their peak form but both have improvement in them.
2.30pm: Southern Suburbs Tigers v Highfields Eagles, Gold Park
Highfields smacked the Tigers 50-6 in the first round and the Eagles have been consistent ever since, only dropping their fourth round match against Wattles.
They will also be on a high after last weekend’s Madsen Rasmussen success.
Souths have had a rollercoaster season and this may be the match they catch the Eagles fatigued, but they need all their players on board and to bring their A game.
However, Highfields aren’t far from being the fittest club in the competition, if not already the fittest. They will be as determined as ever to try and secure the number one spot.
2.30pm: Warwick Cowboys v Pittsworth Danes, Father Ranger Oval
Both clubs have injuries galore, but Warwick have lifted better when their key players are on the bench.
They too have their second home game in a row and, after the Queensland Maroons visited through the week, they need no more motivation.
Pittsworth have been competitive all season without winning and they’ll draw a line in the sand every game as they have nothing to lose for the rest of the season.
The Cowboys have shown no matter who plays, they perform and with a bit of luck last round, they may have just beaten the Madsen Rasmussen titleholders.
