Gundy and Oakey continue to rise
RUGBY LEAGUE: As we hit the halfway mark of the TRL Premiership, the competition continues to shape as one of the tightest in years.
Teams that have struggled in the past have lifted their game, and are providing genuine threats to title contenders on a weekly basis.
Round nine of the TRL was no different, as Goondiwindi gave defending premiers Dalby an almighty scare.
It continues a strong season on the road for the Boars, and Andrew O’Brien from At The Footy with Obee and Cookie
said it shows the lengths the Boars have improved in 2018
“Goondiwindi were very competitive against Dalby. It was one of the most significant games for them over the last three or four seasons,” O’Brien said.
“When they’ve been away in the past, sides have seen them as travelling poorly, but that has changed this year.”
Another side that has continued to climb this year has been Oakey, and despite going down to Pittsworth at the weekend, O’Brien said they were another big improver.
“They can mix it now,” he said.
“They had every chance, but they just lacked what Pittsworth have in knowing how to win. They’ve been there and done that.
“At one stage Oakey wasn’t going to be in the competition last season and now they’re mixing it with the better teams.
“I can understand why they were confident heading into their game against Wattles.”
In a bonus for fans Super Saturday, featuring four teams in the top-five battling it out lived up to the expectations.
“I think Highfields are the real deal and it was probably one of their wins for the ages,” O’Brien said.
“They had their coach suspended and were down to 15 early in the game. It was one of their best wins in their short history.
“The worst thing for the rest of the competition is that Valleys lost. They rebound very well.
“Wattles and Warwick was high quality with a big crowd. It just re-confirmed that Wat- tles are the side at the moment, although not by far.”
As for the teams that have impressed O’Brien to the halfway point of the competition, he said it was hard to go past the current top three.
“The consistent completion rate of Highfields, the allround strength of Wattles and the bag of tricks that Valleys have makes it tough to pick a standout,” he said.
“Valleys will be trying hard to make it to the Madsen Rasmussen Trophy. It will be a home game for them, but Highfields are a realistic chance, and they have a good for and against.”
At The Footy with Obee and Cookie will broadcast on Power FM frrom Warwick on Saturday and from Valleys on Sunday.