Big Roo boost as Dugan rested

Gibuma to suit up at No.1

Ivanhoes have suffered a blow ahead of their top-of-the-table FNQRL A-grade clash against the Kangaroos with former NSW and Australian star Josh Dugan set to sit out the highstakes round 6 clash.

But the Smithfield club has a ready-made replacement as it unleashes speedster Matthew Gibuma in his primary position.

The Kangaroos will host the clash between the league’s top two sides in the A-grade competition at Vico Oval, with the winner set to hold on to top spot for next week.

And while both sides will miss players, no other footballer in the FNQRL carries the same profile as Dugan, Ivanhoes’ marquee signing for their 100th year.

Ivanhoes coach Lindsay Styles said his side would be without Dugan and representative forward Justin Timu, with both missing for precautionary reasons as they manage injuries.

“I wouldn’t say we have big injury concerns, we’re still taking a team of A-graders and we expect to play well,” he said.

Dugan’s absence opens the door for Gibuma to suit up with the familiar No.1 on his back, a position he has made his name as one of the Far North’s premier footballers over the past few seasons.

Gibuma was a star at the back for Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks over the past few seasons, but with Dugan an easy nod for starting fullback shifted to the wing in his first appearance for the Knights.

He scored three tries in that appearance, underlining his brilliance, but it is his pace which Kangaroos coach Jared Allen said might change Ivanhoes.

“He gives them a lot of pace at the back which is something they haven’t had a huge amount of in recent years,” Allen said.

“Dugan is strong at the back and having Matty there as well makes them dangerous.”

Allen has the Kangaroos firing in his third year coaching at Vico Oval, the club skipping to a 3-1 record as they eye a return to premiership glory for the first time in a decade.

“We have quite a few out through suspension and injury, but I’m very confident,” Allen said.

“We have a lot of depth. “In recent years, if we were missing six or seven players we’d be a bit worried but we have great depth this season.

“There’s a great feeling at the club, but we have to keep playing well.

“We had a goal of winning four of our first five games and, if we can get the job done on Saturday, we’ll meet that first target we set.”

Styles is cautiously eyeing this Kangaroos outfit, describing this clash as an ideal early season challenge to gauge just how well they are travelling.

“They have some great players over there this season, it’s going to be a great game,” Styles said.

“I want to see an 80-minute performance.

“We haven’t had one yet, but it’s what we’re aiming for this week.

“There’s no excuses from us. We have a good squad who can get the job done.”

Kick-off is at 5.30pm.