The Normanby Hounds were minutes away from collecting their first two competition points for 2024 until Magpies ruined the party with a late try to share the points.
Normanby now take on Brighton Roosters at Jim Lawrie Oval from 4.30pm in a game both sides desperately need to win to kick start their campaign.
Once a fortress, the Roosters have yet to win at home, nor away, and they sit at the bottom of the ladder. Roosters prefer being higher in the roost.
Look for metre-eater Dilbert Issac to lead the way, but he cannot do it alone.
Matt Gill, Liam Gash and the other heavies need to produce against an inspired Hounds outfit.
Dogs forwards Justin Fai, skipper Michael McKinnon plus the electric fullback Justin Smith have shared the spoils but want the whole bone. This could go either way.
The Pride are once again at home and will chase another 2022 grand finalist scalp when they host West Brisbane Panthers from 3.00pm.
Beenleigh denied Bulimba last week and will fancy themselves here.
Speedster Sebastian Winters-Chang will look to add to his double last start as will playmaker Brad Frith.
Lock Jay Blazek is another that could trouble Wests big men. Corey ‘Post Contact Metres’ Davis has been named on an impressive Panthers bench that also houses Zak McMinn and Samson Graham. All three will be out to claim a starting 13 spot next start.
The Diehards and Bulldogs will meet in a nightmare for officials as both blue-and-white strips run out at Totally Workwear Stadium from 3pm.
Both were denied a victory song last week and will look to change that with a win.
Valleys have not scored a lot of points, but they also haven’t leaked a lot either.
Yes, Valleys have some green lanterns in their backline but, as it is always noted, the middle is where it matters most.
The dishlickers have Tom O’Keefe, Brock Ashton and Mose Noova-McGreal looking to inspire some consistency in the middle stages, while Valleys have the mercurial Keenan Yorston, Zak McGuire and the thundering boots of Cody Payne ready to explode come kick off.
The Dolphins tasted defeat for the first time last week at the hands of the defending premiers, and they may fall short against the undefeated Tigers at Kayo Stadium from 4pm.
Redcliffe have an almost identical line up from their first four games, as do Carina.
One may need to look away when the front row from each side goes toe-to-toe from the outset.
'Phins Jacob Sturt, Ayden Hoad and Tray Lolesio, Tigers' Cameron Torpy, Harry Spragg and Jack Canning haven’t been named up front for their good looks. This encounter also will not be pretty.
The Wynnum Manly Juniors have taken flight. After losing three straight, they will be out to win three straight, with the advantage at Kitchener Park from 4.30pm.
The Magpies played the full 80 last week to snatch a draw and will need to go the distance in this.
Souths must contain Wynnum’s big units Connor Brebner, Lachlan Lee and Kelepi Faukafa or it could be long flight home.
Magpies' Savaan Tahere will come against his old club, as will Chris Humphris.
Cuba Bay Tuhe Tahiti would like nothing more than to have his name on the try scorers' sheet. As will anyone when they see the best name in rugby league on there.
Main image courtesy of Vanessa Hafner.
