Saturday 1 June 2013

Mossman-Port Douglas will be desperate to get their season back on track when they host fifth-placed Ivanhoes at Mossman Showground tonight, in Round 12 of the CDRL Bendigo Bank A Grade season.

The Sharks will be keen to improve on last week's effort - a 10-try concession and forgettable 58-20 loss to the Gladiators at home.

Meanwhile, the Innisfail Leprechauns and Tully Tigers will battle for Cassowary Coast bragging rights when they go head-to-head at Callendar Park.

The Tigers roared away with a convincing 40-18 derby win over their local rivals in Round 1, and Tully coach Leon Hallie is desperate for the two points once again.

Hallie has seen his side lose their last three games, meaning the Tigers have slipped out of the top five for the first time this season.

“Obviously we always want to win the local derby, but for us, we’re also keen to get back to winning ways,” Hallie said.

“We’ve been making a few too many errors in the heat of the battle, and wrong decisions in attack and defence.

“I still think we’ve been playing good footy, but we just need to get those little things right.

“Innisfail have had a decent run recently, so there’s no doubt it will be a tough game.

“But I definitely think we’re good enough to beat anyone in the competition, and we need to get some points on the board again – starting this weekend.”

Innisfail coach Bevan Walker is under no illusion how tough his side’s task will be this weekend, despite the fact the Leprechauns are on a two-game winning streak.

“Tully are a good side with a good coach, and they always seem to play their best against us, so it should be a cracker,” he said.

“They’ve got strength all over the park and gave us a thrashing in Round 1, so we’re looking to play smarter footy this time around.”

Another local derby also takes place on Saturday at Alley Park, where top-of-the-table Southern Suburbs will host Edmonton in a southern corridor classic.

Suburbs are two points clear on the ladder, while the Storm lie third from bottom after an inconsistent season.

Kangaroos coach Michael White says his side are not panicking despite the early CDRL pacesetters dropping to third on the ladder after a draw and a loss in their last two games.

Roos host second-placed Mareeba Gladiators on Sunday in what should be an entertaining top-of-the-table clash at Vico Oval, and White is still full of praise for his team.

“The last couple of games have shown me we have a couple of things to work on, such as our pre-game preparation, but it’s not the end of the world,” he said.

“There are no easy games in this competition, and there are still a lot of positives – we’re in a good position halfway through the season.”

White also praised Mareeba player-coach Rod Jensen for building a formidable Gladiators side this season.

“I’m not at all surprised where Mareeba are on the ladder,” White said.

“Once they brought in someone of Rod’s calibre, you knew they’d improve, and I think it’s great for the competition.

“His players obviously really want to play for him, and he’s a competitive bloke who brings confidence to his team.

“He’s certainly key for them on the field as well, and we’ll be trying to minimise his threat.”

Yarrabah will be looking to make it four straight home wins at Jilara Oval when they host in-form reigning premiers Brothers, who have won their last three games to move ominously into fourth on the ladder.

Atherton Roosters have a bye.