The 10 must-watch TRL games in 2020
sean.teuma@thechronicle.com.au
RUGBY LEAGUE: There might be more than three months to go until kick-off, however anticipation among clubs is high with the release of the 2020 draw.
The addition of Newtown into A-grade means an extra game each weekend, with teams to play 18 games (increased from 16).
Prior to the start of the season on March 21, the TRL All Stars vs Emus fixture will take centre stage at Clive Berghofer Stadium on February 29.
The feature stadium will host the Madsen-Rasmussen/ Presidents Cup finals, as well as the finals series, commencing on August 15 and concluding with the grand final on September 6.
With the fixture release, The Chronicle looks at the 10 games to keep an eye on throughout the 2020 season.
ROUND 1- NEWTOWN vs SOUTHERN SUBURBS
What better way to kick off the 2020 TRL Premiership season than with the return of Newtown to the top flight against another club with a long and proud history, Southern Suburbs.
The lights will be turned on for the first time at the redeveloped Jack Martin Memorial Complex and a big crowd is expected with the two Toowoomba teams going toe-to-toe.
Souths are looking to push for a finals spot, and will have this marked as a game they want to win.
ROUND 2 – VALLEYS vs WATTLES
Wattles won’t have to wait long to come up against their most fiercest rival in recent years when they travel to Herb Steinohrt Oval.
The back-to-back defending champions knocked Wattles out of the competition in last year’s preliminary final on their way to the crown.
Wattles will be looking to find the form that has seen them claim the last three regular season clashes between the pair.
ROUND 2 – BROTHERS vs NEWTOWN
Newtown filled in the second division spot for Brothers last year, playing out of Glenholme Park.
It will only take them two weeks to return to their previous home, as they take on a Brothers side looking to take the next step in the competition.
The Leprechauns have a favourable draw to start the season, and a big scalp against the Lions would give their season a big boost.
ROUND 2 – HIGHFIELDS vs WARWICK
No team has more to prove in 2020 than Highfields, who are out to prove that last year was an outlier.
They get no better chance to prove they have turned the corner than against grand finalists Warwick.
These two have enjoyed some memorable encounters over the years, and you can count on this one to fall in a similar boat.
ROUND 4 – OAKEY vs GOONDIWINDI
July 7, 2019 is a date that Oakey wants to put in the past and never look at again.
On that occasion they were handed a 90-10 smashing at the hands of Goondiwindi at Gilbert Oval.
It marked the low point of a challenging year for the Bears, and they’ll be desperate to get one back over them in their round four clash.
A new-look Oakey will get their chance for revenge early in the season.
ROUND 5 – PITTSWORTH vs DALBY
A trio of games will take place on ANZAC Day, with Pittsworth welcoming Dalby to The Kennel.
Pittsworth have a favourable start to the year with three of their first four games against sides that finished seventh or lower last season, but will need to prevail in games like this if they are to end their two-year finals drought.
ROUND 7 – GATTON vs GOONDIWINDI
Goondiwindi edged out Gatton in the race for the finals last year, downing the Hawks twice in a pair of thrilling encounters.
Both sides will have this penned down as a win, so you can expect plenty of fireworks among the finals contenders.
This game is wedged between matches with both of last year’s grand finalists, so the Boars will be particularly hungry to get the win.
ROUND 7 – WARWICK vs WATTLES
One of the league’s great rivalries will take place just once throughout the regular season.
Warwick has the honour of hosting Southern Downs rivals Wattles in round seven, in a fixture that always delivers the goods.
The Cowboys ambushed the Warriors during the finals last year, so expect the visitors to come out firing.
ROUND 11 – BROTHERS vs VALLEYS
The two foundation clubs have to wait until round 11 to get their hands on one another.
Brothers have pushed Valleys to the dying stages in their last two encounters at Glenholme Park, and will fancy their chances of finally getting one up on the Roosters this time around.
ROUND 11 – DALBY vs HIGHFIELDS
Two finals contenders will close out the final round before the Madsen-Rasmussen Trophy.
These two split their fixtures in 2019, and with Highfields bolstering their ranks as they look to make a playoff push, expect plenty of fireworks in Dalby with both strong chances of contending for the mid-season final.