Home game puts spring in step for Roosters

JACOB GRAMS THE promise of away form is expected to bring Atherton league fans in droves in their scarfs and jumpers but the chill in the air will do little to prevent an on-field war between bitter rivals.

Several players from both the Roosters and Southern Suburbs have jumped the fence a few times in recent seasons, setting the scene for a long-awaited fixture at Roosters Stadium, the first in the club’s centenary season.

Atherton halfback Caleb Foster said the youthful squad had a spring in their step and were eager to maintain a good attitude in defence and keep grinding in attack.

“I think it’s a really good feeling,” he said. “We hope we can get a few down there.

“We’ve got some wins under the belt so it feels really good. All the boys are really keen to get on and play in front of our home crowd.

“We had a few Sunday games in a row, all away, and we came all right out of that. Now we’re coming from the hot over to the freezing, so it will be a bit of a change for us.”

Foster, who moved back home for the centenary season after playing for Southern Suburbs last year, said rather than bait his adversaries, he wanted to leave his words for the opposition for the field.

The match will be somewhat of a return home for Southern Suburbs backrower Brett Power, who came to the club last year from the Roosters, but didn’t want to stir the pot.

“Nah. I’ve got a lot of friends in that side. It will be a good game though,” he said.

Power said better execution than what eventuated against Mossman/Port Douglas last weekend was needed in the cool conditions up the hill.

“The game plan will definitely be different,” he said.

“I like playing in the cool. It’s a good ground to play at and I think we always do pretty well there.”