South Darwin and Palmerston will contest the Slugger Cup in the second round of the A-grade Rugby competition

AN intense encounter is expected when the physical Palmerston faces the hard-running Rabbitohs for the Slugger Cup in Round 2 of the A-grade Rugby Union competition at Warren Park from 6pm tomorrow.

Crocs captain Kendall Quakawoot will be expected to stand out against the Rabbitohs as they battle for the annual Slugger Cup. Picture: CHE CHORLEY

AN intense encounter is expected when the physical Palmerston faces the hard-running Rabbitohs for the Slugger Cup in Round 2 of the A-grade Rugby Union competition at Warren Park from 6pm tomorrow.

The annual Slugger Cup is held in memory of Adrian ‘Slugger’ Graham, who played for both South Darwin and Palmerston before his passing in 2015.

The first game of the season between the two sides is played in his memory and holds plenty of meaning for both sets of players.

Palmerston player Brock Evans was a close friend of Graham’s, who meant a lot to people from all around the Territory.

“He was a great mate to a lot of Territorians. There’s a few boys from both clubs that are still playing that take the Slugger Cup quite seriously,” Evans told the NT News.

“I expect Palmerston to be quite fired up for the game actually. There’s a couple new coaches at the club and they’re bringing a good vibe to the side.”

Crocs captain Kendall Quakawoot will be expected to standout for his side.

The Rabbitohs enjoyed a massive 55-5 win over the reigning premiers Darwin Dragons last week with Captain Brett Joyes saying his side will take plenty of confidence from the win.

“We will take a lot of confidence from that win and use it as a benchmark for the rest of the season,” Joyes said.

“Palmerston are pretty tough physically so the game will be won up front in the forwards.

“They will have a big forward pack and try to use that to get over us while we will have to try to neutralise them there to get the ball out to the backs and hopefully score some good tries.”

Souths will boast backs such as the hard-running Maleli Motonicocoka and Petelo Pailate, who scored a hat-trick against Dragons. Bryn Templeman will also be back in the side for the game.

Meanwhile, Casurina and Dragons will face off at Rugby Park 1 at the same time with both sides hoping to get over their losses in the opening round.

In the B-grade Swampdogs will hope to make it two from two when they come up against University Pirates.