Brothers to host Friday TRL match
‘‘ IT’S SOMETHING WE’VE BEEN TOYING WITH FOR A WHILE. JOE HANNANT
RUGBY LEAGUE: The Toowoomba Rugby League premiership takes an unusual twist this week with Friday night football set to feature.
The rare spectacle will see Brothers and Souths clashing in round-two action at Glenholme Park.
The night starts at 6pm when both the under 18 and reserve grade matches will be played on adjacent ovals.
The Leprechauns and Tigers A-grade game kicks off at 7.30.
Brothers club president Joe Hannant said the Friday night game concept was a “one-off” at this stage, but added the move included a number of pluses on a gala Toowoomba rugby league weekend highlighted by Sunday’s NRL game between the Titans and Dragons at Clive Berghofer Stadium.
“It should be a great night and we are looking to invite the Toowoomba community out to watch some entertaining local Friday night rugby league,” Hannant said.
“Brothers have the facilities, with three ovals under lights to play multiple games.
“And given the strain on numbers in the referee ranks, playing some Friday night games may be the answer in spreading games over weekends to help ensure adequate referee numbers.”
Hannant said Brothers were prepared to explore options which could potentially add to and stimulate the competition.
“We went to Friday night a couple of years ago for a trial match and it went well,” Hannant said.
“We think it’s got a lot of merit under the right circumstances and if it can help bring life into the local rugby league competition we are willing to give it a go.
“It’s something we’ve been toying with for a while, so we will give it a trial this week.
“If we get a positive response, we’ll look at ways of building on it.”
The game provides both Brothers and Souths with the chance to post a confidenceboosting win after both clubs —troubled by low pre-season player numbers — suffered round-one defeats at the hands of Oakey and Valleys respectively.
Full canteen and bar facilities will be available tomorrow night as well as parking around the grounds.