Upsets galore in A Grade

Western Lions are in the best form halfback Jacob Bourke can recall in the past five years and they proved it with a stunning 32-8 win over Centrals on Saturday.

The Tigers went within a game of the grand final a season ago but were comprehensively outplayed in the battle of the big cats by the wooden spooners of that season.

“We’ve still got three or four players to come into the squad, so we’re looking probably the best we have in four or five years,” Bourke said.

“I think it’s all the new faces, the leadership controlling it, understanding what it is and following it. I think we haven’t had that in the past because we were young and inexperienced but now we have that experience and class, I think we have a real edge now.”

Blackhawks- contracted fullback Jake Riley ran for close to 250m in a stellar performance, while fiveeighth recruit Addo Waianga organised, scored a try and kicked four goals to stun Centrals.

The upsets didn’t stop there. Herbert River wound back the clock to coach Todd Cockburn’s glory days by marching into Charters Towers and emerging with an 18-10 victory over a premiership heavyweight.

It was the first win of Cockburn’s coaching career at any level and the legendary Crushers enforcer’s era as head coach has already found its signature triumph.

“It is massive, mate. It was really good,” Cockburn said.

“We turned it around totally from last week (against Souths) in terms of our discipline and attitude.

“We had a backs-to-thewall attitude. Charters Towers are a top side, these last few years, and we were definitely up for the game.”

Souths Bulls hosted Burdekin Roosters on Sunday.