After getting out of jail to defeat a valiant Wallaroos 26-18 in the third round of the Bundaberg Broadcasters A Grade Premiership a fortnight ago, defending champions Past Brothers are braced for another epic battle.
This week it's the return clash of last year’s grand finalists against Wests Panthers at Salter Oval at 6pm Saturday.
Both sides have two wins and a fighting loss to Waves Tigers so far, after the Panthers overcame a fired-up Hervey Bay 34-18 last start at the Seagulls’ home fortress at Stafford Park.
The Panthers beat the Brethren in two of their three round clashes last year and also in the major semi-final, and led in the decider until they conceded two late tries to go down 18-6.
Both sides are very different this year and Brothers had to dig deep to defeat 'Roos last round after leading 16-6 at the break.
It turned quickly when they conceded two converted tries to trail by two, before grabbing two tries in the last seven minutes to win.
In-form veteran Tien Nguyen powered over to reclaim the lead for the premiers, then Gladstone recruit Lachlan Andrews put the icing on their cake with 52 seconds on the clock.
Vastly experienced captain and star signing, former Queensland Rangers captain Jason Wardrop, led from the front for Brothers, but their department of youth also came to the fore, with another new recruit, Australian under 18 touch football representative and halfback Carter Vincent among the try scorers.
But it was also a red-letter day for the Doyle brothers, Liam and Joseph, playing together for the first time, with 20-year-old Liam very solid in the second row, and 17-year-old winger Joseph taking out their player of the match award, backing up after scoring two tries in their 42-10 blitz in under 18s.
The Doyle boys’ father Robert was a former Bundaberg soccer star, but their uncle Matthew Emerick is a former A grade premiership winning captain for the club.
Matthew’s brothers, Jamie, the late Karl, and Chris also championed the club, and their great-grandfather, the late Tom Swanton Snr, was also a foundation member of the club.
Brothers coach Andrew Hamilton said Joseph in particular was “really good”.
“Joe looks for work, runs with aggression and is a good prospect,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton said they will miss Andrews on Saturday as his wife is expecting a baby, and that high-quality utility player Corey Findlay would also be missing as he is away coaching the Under 15 Wide Bay school team.
They will offset that by welcoming back some big guns - Max Shorter for his first game of the season and captain Tyrell Priestley from injury - but also some youth with Zander Evans to make his A grade debut partnering Vincent in the halves.
Hamilton admitted it would be a “grudge match” for the Panthers and he has his players braced for a “physical, tougher game”.
“They had the chance to win the grand final and are certain to be up for us and ready to play, and we want to get into the wrestle and fatigue them,” he said.
Earlier on the program at 4.15pm, both sides will be desperate to open their accounts in the “Battle of the Birds” between the two winless sides, Easts Magpies and Hervey Bay Seagulls.
At Eskdale Park, Maryborough at 5pm, Wallaroos will attempt to bounce back against the unbeaten Waves Tigers, and while the Tigers are the benchmark of the competition, their coach Antonio Kaufusi knows all too well that 'Roos always lift at home and that his side will need to be at their best if they are to continue on their winning ways.
A young gun - winger Lachlan Campbell - was also Waves’ man of the match in their 64-4 demolition of the Magpies a fortnight ago in his A Grade debut.
The 17-year-old's father Liam was a star for the club in his rise from juniors through to seniors, before going on to carve out a successful career at Hostplus Cup level.
Main image: Brothers Liam and Joseph Doyle after playing together for the first time in Brothers’ victory over Wallaroos two weeks ago.
