Next chapter in rivalry

IT has been more than two decades since they stood on opposite sides of the field, but the friendly rivalry has far from diminished.

Twin brothers Ken and Bill Mitchell have become stalwarts of football in North Queensland and have coached at the top levels.

But in the late 1990s they were two premier league coaches attempting to make a name for themselves, even if it was at the expense of the other.

The rivalry and one-upmanship was evident in those early days, with Bill coaching Wulguru to the premiership in 1997 before Ken answered back at MA Olympic the following season.

The year after they came together as a coaching force that has lasted the better part of two decades, but that brotherly rivalry has not diminished, and it gets reignited at Victoria Park today.

Ken’s resurgent Estates, who have impressed since making their long-awaited return to the premier league, will host brother Bill’s Rebels who are smarting after a 4-0 loss to Warriors last weekend.

“We are pretty good nowadays,” Ken said. “When we used to play together we were always competitive, we have both matured enough and coached enough that we have only worried about our own things this week.

“We might have a bit of a chat before the game and I am sure there will be a few jokes thrown across the field. It is very brotherly love, we are concentrating on getting our sides over the line.”

Estates are fresh off an impressive 2-2 draw against reigning premiers Saints

Eagles South in which they had to scratch and claw their way back into the game.

Ken said it was a potentially season-defining result and one that had instilled confidence in his troops.

“We have seen what we are capable of,” he said. “We had our backs to the wall for the first 20 minutes, Saints thought they could kill the game off in that time.

“It gives us belief going into the rest of the season. I think our boys realise coming from outside the premier league for so long, every

game has to be a battle.” Rebels have been forced into midweek changes after their loss to Warriors.

Bill has called up several players from their exciting reserves outfit including defender Tallis Keam and attacking weapon Solomon.

The inclusion of the striker adds an extra layer of spice to the clash as he is one of four players in the Rebels line-up who played under Ken in the Talent Support Program.

“They have definitely mentioned it this week, I think it has been a bit disorganised this week because there has been that extra tension there,” Bill said. “That is a good thing though, it shows they are passionate and they want to play well to get one over their former coach.

“There hasn’t been too much banter this week (between Ken and I). You can’t afford to stick your neck out too far or it gets chopped off. I am sure it will be a bit more jovial before the opening whistle.

“Our boys just need to stick to what we are good at, we need to play our quick passes and stay out of their range. We can’t afford to get tagged and let their bigger bodies get physical with us.”