Premiers go against Rising Stars

A LEAGUE best and fairest from Townsville will make his senior QAFL debut for Broadbeach against a Labrador side boasting the competition’s latest Rising Star.

In the most anticipated match of Round 3, the reigning premiers will travel to Cooke Murphy Oval on Saturday to play the Labrador Tigers.

Broadbeach have made four changes, with Riley Winter, Jack O’shea, Josh Searl and Callum Searl set to miss the game while Townsville best and fairest Calloway Parker will make his debut alongside inclusions Jasper Schoenmaker, Rhys Finn and

Hamilton Howard.

For the Tigers, Charlton Offermans and Jay Foon will come out of the side and be replaced by Charlie Lang and Shayden Close.

Cats coach Craig O’brien said it was too early to tell how they stacked up against their rivals but predicted a tough contest.

“We just have to match them,” O’brien said.

“We are not at full strength and no side is really playing their best footy yet but it is always a tough challenge going to Labrador. They have recruited well and have a good list.”

Tigers coach Nick Malceski said the club had embraced the challenge of testing themselves early in the season and highlighted the efforts of Round 1 Rising Star Sam Mercer.

“He has a good football brain, is a very good kick and runs to the right spots,” Malceski said of forward Mercer.

Labrador beat 2021 grand finalists Maroochydore last week and could send an ominous warning to the league if they beat the premiers.

“They are the benchmark of the competition so it will be a good challenge for our group to see where we are at,” Malceski said.

In other games Surfers Paradise will host Maroochydore while Palm Beach Currumbin will play Morningside at Jack Esplen Oval.