It's easy to see how Toowoomba is in such a prime position to win the XXXX League Championship semi-final on Saturday.
They were very well prepared for the XXXX 47th Battalion, which led them to the victory, having been beaten and not making the grand final the previous year.
They set a plan for the following 12 months after that and had some camps with who they could see making that side and went through the 47th and obviously won that and stayed connected since.
The Toowoomba Rugby League board and coach Col Speed really set a plan in place and so far it's come to fruition but there's two more hurdles to go and they have some pretty good competition.
You would have to say that Brisbane will go in as favourites for the match, but I believe that the Toowoomba side will more than match up, especially on their home turf.
I'm hoping to see a good crowd there to cheer them on and help get them over the line.
It's part of a great day of football in Toowoomba on Saturday as our statewide competitions intertwines with the best of community rugby league.
The Hastings Deering Colts kick off the day at 1.15pm, followed by the XXXX League Championship semi-final at 3pm and the Hostplus Cup clash between the Western Clydesdales and Wynnum Manly Seagulls at 5.15pm.
I'll be cheering them on in spirit from Longreach, where men's and women's players from across western Queensland gather for the Outback Senior Muster on Saturday.
We're expecting a good three-way tussle in the men's between South West, Central West and Northern - the latter a team from Mount Isa and surrounds - and then Southern Outback v Northern Outback in the women's.
Hosts Central West will have a bit of star power on their side in Queensland Maroons champion and Ilfracombe legend Matt Scott, who is lending his services as co-coach.
Queensland Outback men's and women's sides will be picked on Saturday night, with respective coaches in another former Queensland great, John Doyle and former Australian rep Nikki Richards there to cast their eye over their options.
Those selected will take on NSW Outback in curtain raisers to the Hostplus Cup Country Week match in Miles on July 15.
Junior teams get their chance to represent the outback next weekend at the Rees Orman Cultural Exchange as under 14 boys and girls, under 16 boys and under 17 girls take on similar quality opposition in beautiful Coolum on the Sunshine Coast.
Shout out
A shout out to Rockhampton Rugby League operations manager Julie Lorraway, Rockhampton Junior Rugby League secretary Catherine Barwick and treasurer Simon Yarrow and our Central Queensland area manager Amanda Ohl for their tireless efforts for over 10 hours at the Rockhampton Junior Rugby League grand finals last Saturday.
Between this quartet they handled the ground announcing, time keeping, ground control and trophy presentations for the whole program and did it with a smile on their faces. The day was incident free with some great matches on display and all seven clubs with International grade teams were represented.
Key dates
June 17: Senior Outback Muster, Longreach
June 17: XXXX League Championship semi-final (3pm kickoff)
June 24-25: Rees Orman Cultural Exchange, Coolum
Celebrating our team
Amanda Ohl
Role: Area manager, Central Queensland
Hometown: Bluff, Queensland
Favourite Maroons player: Technically not a Maroon but Karyn Murphy. Tamika Upton close second
Favourite Maroons Origin moment: Being in the crowd at Wally Lewis’ final State of Origin game at Lang Park in 1991
Why you love your job: I love being able to be involved in rugby league and give back to the game
What Amanda brings to the team: Amanda is a driver in the women’s game in Queensland and a highly qualified coach in the BMD Premiership statewide women’s competition. She understands the game and therefore relates well to the leagues and clubs in her area
