Tough TDRL tipped as teams prepare for kick- off

ARCH rivals Brothers and Herbert River again look the teams to beat, but both clubs believe this season’s Townsville and Districts Rugby League premiership race is wide open.

The TDRL has been reduced to seven teams in A- grade this season following University’s unexpected withdrawal, but there will be no shortage of talent across the competition.

Matt Bowen is the new coach of Centrals, with the Cowboys legend also expected to take the field for the Tigers, while Brothers have recruited former Blackhawks halfback Michael Parker- Walshe.

The pressure will be on Brothers as the reigning premiers and captain Jack Kelleher said Parker- Walshe’s class and experience in the halves would be a massive boost.

“He’s a natural footballer so he fits into the team nicely. He’s a good talker and he’s mates with a lot of us and we’ve played football with him before,” Kelleher said.

“We’ve changed a couple of little things in the way we’ve played and Michael Parker- Walshe has helped that a lot with his experience and the way we finish our sets.”

Brothers face a tough challenge first- up with a grand final rematch against Herbert River on a warm Sunday afternoon at Jack Manski Oval.

The traditional foes have battled it out in five grand finals over the past decade and only a late penalty goal could split them in another classic 18- 16 decider last season.

Herbert River hooker Joshua Bona said that narrow defeat had only made the Crushers more determined.

The Crushers will be led by experienced campaigner Mitchell Seri, who has taken on a captain- coach role.

“After we only just lost the grand final we’re pretty keen to get going again and see what this year brings,” Bona said.

“There’s always been a rivalry with Brothers that’s just about hard, competitive games year after year and Sunday’s going to be no different.

“Our team from last year hasn’t changed much so hopefully we can go one step better.”

Bona and Kelleher both said it was disappointing to see University withdraw from the competition this season, but neither team expected an easy ride to the grand final.

“Even with Uni pulling out, there’s seven other teams. We’ve all been really close at the top of the table the last few years with nice, hard games and I don’t think it’ll change,” Bona said.

TDRL, Round 1: Tomorrow: Western Lions v Centrals, 5pm at Townsville Sports Reserve; Norths v Burdekin, 7pm at Peggy Banfield Park. Sunday: Brothers v Herbert River, 3.30pm at Jack Manski Oval.