Familiar foes to battle for spot
Finals on line in play-off
RUGBY LEAGUE: Souths centre Kyle Athorn expects more of the same when his Tigers take on Gatton in tonight’s Hutchinson Builders TRL Premiership sixth-place play-off.
The two teams meet for the second time in just four days when they clash at Glenholme Park in the first mid-week play-off since 2013.
Both teams are playing for the last spot in the finals so it is sudden-death as the winner progresses and the loser looks to next season.
It was must-win for Souths on Sunday when the Tigers edged out Gatton 34-30 at Cahill Park on the back of a late try from Athorn, so the Tigers are used to sudden-death.
That was an entertaining and exciting game and spectators could be in for a similar show as there were just four points between the teams on Sunday and just
six points in the Hawks’ favour in their earlier meeting this season.
Athorn, who played in Souths’ last appearance in a grand final in 2012, isn’t tipping either team to have an ace up their sleeve to secure play-off victory.
“I don’t think it will change too much,” he said.
“We have played the same way all year so I can’t see anything changing.
“They have a power game with their big boys and we just play our style and try and move them around.”
There could be some forced personnel changes for both teams though.
Gatton will sweat on the fitness of halfback Josh Ryan and forward Dennis Burgoyne after both left the field with injury on Sunday.
Souths will be without winger Hugo Mortensen, who broke his wrist against Gatton and could also be missing Sam Cocker to injury and Kyle Petersen.