Styles issues Storm warning

Ivanhoes will enter Sunday’s FNQRL clash with Edmonton as favourites but the Knights remain wary of what the Storm will bring to Smithfield.

The round 7 fixture is the KommunityTV match of the round, with all four grades to be shown live on the Cairns Post website.

The women’s game kicks off the action at 10.30am, while the under-18s and reserve grade games will also be hotly contested.

In A-grade, Ivanhoes are looking to bounce back after a loss to Kangaroos but coach Lindsay Styles is wary of what first-year Edmonton coach Mark Volpe might bring.

“They will be tough, they beat Tully and they almost beat Yarrabah who beat us,” Styles said. “I’m not sure what they’ve got at the moment but Volpey’s doing something right there.”

Ivanhoes are third with a 4-2 record while the Storm sit seventh with one win from four games – and both of their byes already taken.

For Styles, this week is about bouncing back and overcoming a plethora of injuries which has ruled out three more of his dependable troops.

Centre Dallas Skardon, utility Blade Lawson and forward Andrew Stott are all expected to miss the clash, while representative prop Justin Timu needs to pass a fitness test.

Marquee signing and former Blues Origin star Josh Dugan is expected to return after missing the Kangaroos game, though Styles won’t finalise his squad until after Saturday’s captain’s run.

On Saturday, Yarrabah will host Mareeba as the Seahawks chase a win which can further cement their spot in the top six.

Mossman-Port Douglas, led by 2012 Dally M Medal winner Ben Barba, will host Atherton Roosters on Saturday night.

On Sunday, the improving but still winless Southern Suburbs host Kangaroos at Alley Park while Brothers face Innisfail at Stan Williams Park.