2013 Bendigo Bank A Grade – ROUND 11

Saturday 25 May
Tully v Ivanhoes, 6pm KO (Tully Showground)
Mossman v Mareeba, 7pm KO (Mossman Showground)

Sunday 26 May
Atherton v Innisfail, 3pm KO (Atherton Showground)
Brothers v Edmonton, 3pm KO (Stan Williams Park)
Kangaroos v Suburbs, 3pm KO (Vico Oval)

BYE – Yarrabah Seahawks

Edmonton Storm are targeting a strong finish to the first half of an inconsistent Bendigo Bank CDRL A Grade season when they travel to reigning premiers Brothers this Sunday.

Storm have had a disappointing year to date, winning just three of their nine games despite being one of the pre-season favourites.

And Edmonton coach Brian Paul believes a combination of poor form, bad luck and a string of away games has contributed to their poor start.

“I can’t quite put my finger on one thing (for our poor form), but the gods certainly seem to have been against us,” he said.

“Last week against Yarrabah is a good example – we had three disallowed tries and bombed another three ourselves, and ended up losing the game.

“We’ve also had a couple of heartbreaking losses, like the recent Kangaroos game, and the ball just hasn’t been bouncing our way.

“Saying that, I’m not one to make too many excuses.

“We’re making poor judgements ourselves and our attitude hasn’t always been what I’d like it to be, so that’s something we can control.”

Storm take on a Brothers side which lies in fourth place and is also enduring an inconsistent run, but Paul is fully aware of his opposition’s strengths ahead of the Stan Williams Park clash.

“It’s going to be a hard one, but when we come up against the hard teams, we do seem to play better,” he said.

Only three of Edmonton’s first 10 games of the season have been played at their home ground of Barlow Park, and Paul said that will benefit his side in the second half of the season.

“Six of our last seven games of the season are at home, so that does help, but we had a rocky start and now the pressure’s on.

“We’re still in there, but we need to start winning – it’s that simple.”


Leaders Southern Suburbs will take on second-placed Kangaroos in what is shaping to be a mouth-watering clash at Vico Oval on Sunday.

Suburbs coach Billy Beard said his side was looking forward to showing their premiership credentials against one of their closest rivals.

“It’s a top-of-the-table clash against a very good footy side, and we’re really looking forward to it,” he said.

“Our only focus is on getting the two points and to keep playing at a high level.”

Fifth-placed Tully will hope their strong home form will carry them to victory against potential finals rivals Ivanhoes.

Knights centre Trent Barnard is coming off a six-try performance against Atherton last weekend, and the Tigers will hope to keep him quiet at Tully Showground.

High-flying Mareeba face a tough trip to Mossman on Saturday night when they take on the Sharks, who have lost just one home game all season.

Meanwhile, bottom-of-the-table Atherton will be looking to clinch their first win of the season when they host Innisfail Leprechauns on Sunday.

Yarrabah Seahawks have a bye.