Wallaroos will be hoping to bounce back from their 38-20 loss to Wests Panthers last week and consolidate their prospects for a top three finish in the Bundaberg Broadcasters A Grade Premiership with a win over 2024 lightweights Easts Magpies in their Round 13 showdown at Salter Oval at 1.15pm this Sunday.
Waves Tigers have an iron grip on the minor premiership, sitting on 22 points after their 42-14 victory over Hervey Bay Seagulls, while 'Roos are second with a net points differential of +44, with reigning champions Past Brothers on 14 (+152), followed by Wests 12 (+168), Seagulls 2 (-318), and Magpies 2 (-328).
The Magpies’ annus horribilis hit rock bottom when they forfeited to Brothers last Saturday, and while they are committed to fielding a team this week, they are low on confidence, but motivation should be high as they can still finish fifth and take a berth in the finals.
However 'Roos, who won four in a row before their reality check against Wests, are the only team to tame the Tigers in 2024, and they will be determined to maintain at least a four-point buffer over the Panthers with a win, as they have a tough run home against Waves next Saturday, and Wests in the last round.
Wests face a massive task of stopping the Waves’ juggernaut at 3pm Sunday, while Brothers will be expected to record their first win since June 15 when they head to Hervey Bay to meet the Seagulls at Stafford Park at 5pm Saturday.
'Roos are favoured to pluck the Magpies again after triumphing 38-24 in the season opener on April 13, and also getting the points 30-6 when they last crossed swords on May 5.
Last week, they were caught off-guard by a Panthers team bolstered by a cameo appearance by one of their 2013 premiership heroes, Joel Turaga, who was home from Mt Isa and turned back the clock with a hat-trick of tries in a signature blockbusting performance.
Still, they are licking their wounds and smarting, and coach Scott Robertson has them primed to come out all guns blazing with their stakes so high.
In the Battle of the Big Cats, another titanic duel is expected after the Tigers got home 22-16 in the first round, and 32-24 last time, with Wests set to field their best team all season having to win to stay in the race for a top three finish and a double-chance in the finals.
Brothers should however have too many guns for Hervey Bay after romping home 64-6 and 42-6 in their two earlier clashes this year, although they will have to be on their guard as the Seagulls are always a force in front of their loving and loud home crowd.
Main image: The resurgent Wallaroos after their recent win over Hervey Bay Seagulls for the annual George Baumann Memorial Shield. Photo: Supplied
