After completion of the first full round of the Bundaberg Broadcasters A Grade Premiership last week, Past Brothers are unbeaten with four wins and one draw and on top of the table.
But their 34-12 victory over Waves after trailing 6-0 at the break must be taken in perspective, as the Tigers were missing almost half of their star-studded squad, including their halves and centres, and there are 10 of 15 rounds remaining.
Easts Magpies have been the surprise packets, and they moved into second place on seven points with a well-executed 36-24 victory over Wests Panthers - the Tigers slipping to third on six points.
Meanwhile, after losing their first three games of the year, back-to-back wooden spooners Wallaroos joined Wests on four points, achieving two wins in a row for the first time in four years, thrashed ravaged reigning premiers Hervey Bay 84-6 on their home ground.
It leaves the plucked Seagulls in the cellar with just 26 points to their credit across five games while conceding a massive 344.
Sadly, the Seagulls will not be suiting up this weekend, leaving the Brethren with a week off, but much will be at stake in the battle of the Big Cats at 6pm with Waves looking to reverse their first-round 18-14 loss to Wests in a game in which both teams notched three tries.
The 5pm showdown between hosts Wallaroos and Easts at Eskdale Park, Maryborough will also be a blockbuster with Roos on a roll and chasing a rare hat-trick of wins in front of their adoring and loyal fans.
They were beaten by the Magpies 32-22 in the season opener back on March 25, but they have made some good signings since then and are building nicely under their ex-NRL star and former Northern Pride player, captain-coach Maurice “Bobby” Blair.
Wallaroos broke a long drought when they shocked Wests 18-10 at their last home match two rounds back on April 22, and they were ruthless in putting the Seagulls to the sword last week, but this will be an infinitely tougher assignment against the high-flying Magpies, for whom one of Roos’ former stars, tough as teak second rower Ethan Ballard has been one of their unsung heroes.
But Jayden Smith, whom Easts signed from Armidale, has also been absolutely outstanding week-in-week-out, although their coach Jacob Blanke, who guided Hervey Bay to the title in 2022, said their best has been Will Walthall, who was one of five premiership stars who followed him from the Seagulls’ nest.
“Will has been a very consistent hard-hitting hooker who is very dangerous for opponents in attack as well,” Blanke said.
Blanke said they “are missing a fair few tomorrow with injuries”.
“But we are confident with the players stepping up. Maryborough (Wallaroos) are a very tough team, and we will need to be at our best to win,” he said.
Easts are the only team to take a competition point off the Brethren this campaign, drawing 14-all against an admittedly depleted side on April 22, and Blanke believes they are genuine contenders.
“I definitely think we can go all the way. Obviously, Brothers is the benchmark but any team who has their full squad will be hard to beat this year including us,” he said.
