Wests v Brothers: A dead rubber with all to play for

The minor premiership, bragging rights and a key pre-finals mental edge go on the line this weekend.

Wests Tigers defeated Carltons Red Devils 42-22 in Round 4 of the Rugby League Mackay & District A-Grade season at Tiger Park. Wests' Daniel Boyd. Photo: Callum Dick

THE minor premiership and finals favouritism goes on the line when Wests Tigers host Townsville Brothers at Tiger Park on Saturday night.

The consensus top two sides through six rounds of Rugby League Mackay and District A-Grade competition will battle for top billing, bragging rights and a key mental edge ahead of the post-season action.

Read more:

Cook's kicking key to Magpies' success

Young guns proving future is bright for Magpies

The 7 pieces keeping Sharks consistent in finals run

In a weird quirk of the draw, the two teams will meet again just seven days later in week one of the finals, irrespective of the result on Saturday.

But in front of what promises to be a parochial Valley crowd, Tigers coach Craig Menkins says there is still plenty to play for against the "heavyweights of north Queensland".

"(Brothers) is such an institution in Townsville. I expect us to be up for the challenge and put in a great performance," Menkins said.

"It's exciting for the Valley. I don't think we've ever played a side from outside our district on our home ground.

"This has a big north Queensland footy flavour to it … something a lot of people have been talking about."

Wests and Brothers enter Saturday's clash as the frontrunners to meet in the grand final on October 4.

Both are undefeated through six rounds and boast a strikingly similar for-and-against.

The winner will claim the minor premiership but perhaps more importantly, take a winning edge into next week's preliminary final.

"No doubt this is a big game for us. And I think, confidence-wise, it's important to go out there and show we can compete against a side like Townsville," Menkins said.

Menkins has gone to the tape in preparation for Saturday's clash and seen a side that flashes incredible playmaking ability coupled with clinical consistency.

This Townsville team rarely makes mistakes.

"They just do everything right … as you would expect of a side that's on top of the ladder," Menkins said.

"For us it will be about getting our basics right. I think both sides have quality across the paddock."

Menkins confirmed both Alex Farrell (ankle) and Harold Snell (elbow) had already been scratched from Saturday's clash due to injury.

But the Tigers will welcome back skipper Jake Eden, who has missed the past month of footy.

He will reclaim his favoured number nine, shifting Kel Jenner back into the second row.

"This will be one of the biggest games in Tiger Park history. It's two quality football sides going up against each other," Menkins said.

"Hopefully we can get a lot of Tiger supporters down there to cheer us on."

Subscriber benefits:

Your daily dose of Harry Bruce cartoons

Five ways to get more from your digital subscription

WATCH: Your guide to reading the Daily Mercury online

Your questions about the new Daily Mercury format answered

How to make the most of your Mercury subscription

Daily puzzles and Sudoku another reason to stay subscribed

We're still here: How to contact your journalists

GAME DAY AT TIGER PARK -

(12pm) - 20-year anniversary of 2000 Reserve Grade Premiership
(1pm) - Women's

(2.30pm) - Under-19s

(4pm) - Reserve Grade

(5.30pm) - Donny and Jack lose their locks for cancer

(6pm) - A-Grade

Originally published as