Crushers alert to fickle Lions
THE Herbert River Crushers are expecting one thing from the Western Lions tonight, the unexpected.
The Crushers host the Lions in Ingham at 6.30pm for what is shaping as a blockbuster Townsville and Districts Rugby League clash, with both teams sharing second spot on the TDRL table.
Herbert River tore up Norths last weekend 76- 4 but face a genuine test of their early- season progress against the Lions, who had their unbeaten season broken last round in a one- point loss to Brothers.
“I think we can expect a bit of adlib footy from them,” Crushers playmaker Mitch Seri said.
“They’re probably going to be a bit unpredictable, so I guess we’re expecting the unexpected.
“The Lions and Brothers are probably the two form teams and we’ll have to get into the grind, which we didn’t do against Brothers.
“Last weekend’s win was good for the confidence in attack, but probably not so much in defence.”
The benchmark senior TDRL team for almost a decade, the Crushers are experiencing a changing of the guard.
Veteran campaigners Drew Chinotti and Andrew Quabba are no longer at the Crushers, along with Troy Kapea who is now at the Northern Pride.
Experienced forward Brendan Devietti is also expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering an eye injury in Herbert River’s 36- 10 loss to Brothers in Round 2, and Luke Murray could remain sidelined after being concussed against University a fortnight ago.
“It’s a bit of a new- look team and we’re in a bit of a rebuilding year,” Seri said.
“Especially with our forwards, there’s some young players who are working towards the standard we are known for.
“Blokes like myself probably only have a few more years left in us but there’s never any shortage of juniors coming through at the Crushers, so the club’s in a good place.”
Centrals host Charters Towers tomorrow at the Townsville Sports Reserve, and the Tigers will be eager to keep the momentum rolling from last weekend’s season first 50- 6 win over University.
Charters Towers enter the Round 6 game on a two- game losing streak, but can remain camped just outside the top four if they overpower Centrals.
Norths hosted University overnight and Brothers took on Burdekin at Jack Manski Oval. TDRL Round 6. Tonight: 6.30pm Herbert Western Lions, Ingham.
Tomorrow: 3pm Centrals v Charters Towers, Townsville Sports Reserve. River v