Eagles looking to soar
RUGBY LEAGUE: A number of TRL Premiership sides are set to hit the road this weekend as the start of the season inches closer.
One of those teams that will be travelling is Highfields, who head east to take on Ipswich Brothers.
Their opponents were the premiers in their respective competition last year and Eagles coach Gus McKellar is expecting a strong contest to begin their preparations.
“Everyone is looking forward to it and it sinks the reality in that football is back on,” McKellar said.
“I don’t know a great deal about Brothers, but they did win their competition.
“The result isn’t a concern, it’s more just about getting the mind ready and getting some contact in.
“The teams will break off into A and reserve grade.
“We’ve got some pretty good depth in a few positions so there are potentially some A-grade players still in reserve grade.”
McKellar said with just two trials before round one, he would be looking for an intensity from his side to get them prepared.
“We’ll try and go pretty strong,” he said.
“We’ve got two trials and a tough start to the season, so we don’t want to muck around too much.
“After this a few blokes will play in the All Stars game and then we travel to Tugon the week after.
“We’ll have a relief week after that, so my mindset is the opposite to last year, we want to be ready and matchfit as early as we can.”
McKellar said he was looking forward to the likes of halves Cory Haywood and Keith Mackenzie pushing their A-grade claims, while confirming that Cory McGrady would be a gametime decision after suffering a cork in the Border Knockout.
Around the grounds, Goondiwindi and Southern Suburbs are set to collide at
Gilbert Oval tonight.
A-grade and reserve grade will be in action on the day, with the main game set to kick-off at 6.45pm.
It will be the first hitout of the season for the Tigers, while the Boars take some fitness into the encounter following their strong showing at the Border Knockout.
Valleys welcomes Beenleigh to town for a pair of games at Herb Steinohrt Oval, with A-grade to begin at 5.30pm.
The Goondiwindi U18s will travel up to take on the Roosters at 2pm.
Brothers were set down for trials in multiple grades against Beerwah at Glenholme Park tomorrow, however the Bulldogs have forfeited the games.
This has since been replaced with the Western Mustangs U20s side coming to the party, who will take on a combined Brothers A/Reserve grade side from 3pm.
The U18s Mustangs will travel to Wynnum to take on the Seagulls in their second trial of the season from 4pm.