Past Brothers will now host their must-win last-round clash with Wests Panthers in the Bundaberg Broadcasters A Grade Premiership tomorrow at 5pm after the game was moved from Salter Oval following heavy rain.
The move was made in part to protect the very wet surface from being churned up ahead of the Canterbury Bulldogs v North Queensland Cowboys NRL clash there on Sunday August 7.
That is the only A Grade game to be played in Bundaberg tomorrow, with the other matches to be fought out simultaneously and the minor premiership to be decided in a winner-takes-all top-of-the-table showdown between leaders Waves Tigers and Hervey Bay Seagulls at Stafford Park.
Wests will finish fifth, regardless of the outcome of their duel with Brothers, but the Brethren will secure third place and a double chance in the finals if they are victorious.
If they lose, Easts Magpies will almost certainly grab the vital No.3 position from them, as the Magpies will be expected to put whipping boys and back-to-back wooden spooners Wallaroos to the sword at Eskdale Park.
The Tigers mauled the Seagulls 48-10 during their nine-game winning streak when they last met on June 25, but Hervey Bay coach Jacob Blanke is not concerned about that result as they had a string of their big guns missing in that match.
Waves will be hoping to bounce back after having their bubble burst in a big way by Brothers 40-18 last week, and they have made just two changes to their team, with workaholic second rower Coby Gibbs and interchange forward Nic Samra replacing Jake McLennan and Aaron Flanagan.
Hervey Bay have not been challenged in their last two outings, a 60-0 whitewash of a much depleted Wests, and a 94-0 massacre of Wallaroos, and their lack of recent hard matches will be against them.
They will also be missing at least three of their best players in Logona Vetemotu, Jeremiah Pati, and halfback David Woodbridge, but they will still field a very good side for what many had considered would be a grand final preview, until Brothers set the proverbial cat among the pigeons last week.
Two-times defending champions Brothers have been inconsistent all season, but if they can repeat their second half performance against Waves last week when they ran away with it after scores had been level at 12-all at the break, they could be too strong for the Panthers.
Coach Andrew Hamilton and inspirational captain and front rower Kevin Sherriff will be certain to have their troops fired up to come out all guns blazing.
The Blue and Whites have beaten the Panthers in their two meetings so far in 2022, 36-26 in the season-opener on March 26, but only 28-26 on June 25 when both teams scored five tries.
That was the start of a four-game losing-streak for Wests - subsequently also going down to Waves 30-22, Hervey Bay 60-0, and Easts 26-22 - and coach Corey Tanner will be looking to build some form and confidence to take into a sudden death finals’ campaign. At full-strength, they can match any side.
Easts trounced Roos 56-19 back in the first round, but while they had to settle for a 14-all draw with them on June 25, last year’s beaten grand finalists have returned to form with a hat-trick of wins.
The sky is the limit for them, while the season end cannot come quickly enough for the beleaguered Roos.
Main image: Waves Tigers unsung hero interchange forward James Brosnan made a signature run against Past Brothers last week.
Toowoomba A grade
Saturday, July 23
6.30pm: Warwick Cowboys v Gatton Hawks, Father Ranger Oval
Needless to say, Warwick Cowboys would benefit from a win in this game.
On a Saturday night in Warwick and in front of a good crowd is all the ingredients necessary to perform well.
Warwick have been the Hawks' bogey side over the years, but they are better this season.
These sides were supposed to play each other in Round 5 at Gatton. Therefore, the Hawks will want to make up for that lost opportunity.
The same can be said for Warwick and a win will make amends.
Their right side defence last week was not good and they will need to improve as Gatton have slick backs.
All of Gatton Hawks’ key players are all in form - Luke Self, Sione Foueti, Haydan Lipp and Shannon Hicks. Completion rate is the key for them.
The Cowboys have players in form like Mitch Watson and Mitch Wilson as well tackle machines Josh Cruice and Cod Byrne.
This will be a match and a half. The conditions will be slippery and cold and the team to secure the ball in their hit ups the best will go along way to victory.
7pm: Pittsworth Danes v Wattles Warriors, Club Pittsworth
Pittsworth v Wattles matches are always good contests.
They are similar, neighbouring clubs with a good fan base.
A Saturday night at Club Pittsworth is a challenge for any side and Wattles will respect that. The Danes do lift at home and they are match hardened lately after some competitive games against the top sides.
If they can step up 10 minutes before half and full-time, they have a competitive chance on the back of the crowd.
Wattles are on a huge roll at the moment.
They are really putting in at training and leaving no stone unturned in their lead-up to the semis.
Austin Jennings created history last week with his nine tries and his confidence has been building after hamstring strains early in the season. He is primed for a grand last few weeks.
Sunday, July 24
2.30pm: Toowoomba Valleys Roosters v Toowoomba Brothers, John McDonald Sporting Complex
One of the long-term rivalries in Toowoomba Rugby League is the Valleys v Brothers clashes.
Both sides seem to lift for these games. This clash may just be the tonic for the young Brothers' side to increase their confidence.
On paper they are a very good side. They have it in them to make a contest here as cross-town rivals can bring the best out of them.
Valleys played so well last week and they will go into this game favoured. Their back five returned to form last week and this should continue.
Chown and Bain were superb last week and with Taylor and Jackson in form, they are primed. In saying that, it was only two weeks ago Wattles gave them a scare at home.
Valleys won't make the same mistake this round.
2.30pm: Highfields Eagles v Dalby Diehards, Kuhls Road
Missed opportunity for both these sides when their fifth-round clash was washed out.
Highfields host Dalby in a crucial match, especially for Dalby. They lost last round after a poor start and something tells me they are not going to make the same mistake.
The key for them is to have their big forwards hitting the advantage off their halves at pace and with support. Players like Denman Ah You, Ramon Filipine and Xavier Manley always play well when their mates are following them as they can all offload.
While Gatton and Wattles are top of the ladder, clubs measure themselves against the Eagles, they are strong right across the paddock.
Led by Cory McGrady, every player knows their roles and they perform when asked. McGrady is building and is at peak form at the moment.
Very worthy of the match of the round and after softening rain late in the week, the day is expected to fine and both sides will appreciate a dry but soft track.
Kuhls Road is such an amphitheatre and come full time, both sides will know they’ve been involved in a tough match.
Dalby’s big forwards are the key. Their ability to overcome their opposition pack and start and finish well is so important.
Whereas Highfields’ key is to react well after the opposition’s momentum periods. Every side has lapses but Highfields seem to do the little things right.
2.30pm: Newtown Lions v Oakey Bears, Jack Martin Centre
Oakey are finding some late season form and they will continue to build going into next season.
The women’s clash is the match of the day in this one. Oakey performed well against Gatton and they will be out to show Newtown that they are the real deal.
2.30pm: Southern Suburbs Tigers v Goondiwindi Boars, Gold Park
Goondiwindi travel to Gold Park with a spring in their step to take on the Tigers.
Plenty of courage from the Tigers lately after disruptive preparations but Goondiwindi will be too strong in this close TRL competition.
