Centrals up for the fight

CENTRALS are preparing for the biggest test of their TDRL premiership credentials when they take on the unbeaten Brothers at Jack Manski Oval tonight.

Defending premiers Brothers have looked a class above this season as the only team with a perfect record after two rounds following wins over Herbert River ( 28- 12) and Charters Towers ( 48- 14).

Centrals have also been impressive under new coach Matt Bowen, kicking off their season with a 34- 8 win over Western Lions before a hard- fought 34- 18 loss to the Crushers in Ingham last weekend.

The Tigers can take some confidence from their 24- 22 preseason trial win over Brothers, but Bowen expected a much tougher clash with more at stake this weekend.

“We played Brothers before the Cowboys’ first game, which was only a trial game, and we got up, but it’ll be different this weekend playing for the points,” he said.

“We had a good win against Western Lions and we got beaten by Herbert River, but I thought it was a good game for local standard.

“Brothers will be no different this weekend.

“They’ve got a few boys that are dropping back from Blackhawks and we do as well.

“It makes the game even better, plus the rivalry between Brothers and Centrals from what the guys have said about it is pretty good.

“We’re really looking forward to it.”

In the other Round 3 clashes, Norths will host Charters Towers at Peggy Banfield Park tomorrow night while Herbert River take on Burdekin in Ingham tomorrow afternoon in what is one of the TDRL’s strongest club rivalries.

TDRL, Round 3: Tonight: Brothers v Centrals, 7.30pm at Jack Manski Oval. Tomorrow: Norths v Charters Towers, 7.30pm at Peggy Banfield Park. Sunday: Herbert River v Burdekin, 3pm in Ingham.