Top sides in Men’s Allied Cup will clash in a Mackay Derby

The last two undefeated sides will come together this weekend, with Mackay Magpies and North Mackay Saints due to clash for four points

The North Mackay Saints 15.5-65 defeated Mackay City Hawks 7.4-46 in Round 2 of the AFL Mackay Allied Pickfords Cup at Great Barrier Reef Arena at Harrup Park. Picture: File

More than four points will be on the line on Saturday when the North Mackay Saints clash with rival Mackay Magpies on Saturday at Zeolla Park.

The two Australian rules sides remain the last two undefeated teams in the Senior Men’s Allied Cup, with the Saints boasting a staggering 2977.78 per cent.

Despite being an early-season clash between the competition’s top sides, there is opportunity for both teams to take the ladder lead and bragging rights within Mackay.

North Mackay won its second consecutive premiership last season, with the Magpies having lost in the semi-final against Eastern Swans.

The Saints have continued last season’s form into 2021, with big 134 and 125 point wins in their first two games.

Saints star Luke Slater kicked three goals in the 125-point victory last week, and said there was a point to prove in the clash with the Magpies.

“After winning two flags, most people would think the hunger would die down, but I actually think it’s gone up another level,” Slater said.

“We’re more keen than ever to win three in a row. The club has been awesome and we’re raring to go.”

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The last time these two sides met was Round Six last season, with the Saints triumphing by 47 points.

Mackay defeated the Eastern Swans last week 14.15.99-7.2.44; a result that put the competition on notice.

The Magpies lost to the Swans in last season’s semi-final by nine points, however a strong pre-season and player development has resulted in major changes to their fortunes.

“We go into every game thinking we’ll put on a good show and have a good crack at winning, but from all accounts the Magpies are a very different team this year, and they’re a pretty good side,” Slater said.

“We mark this game out as the one to look out for at the start of the year, we’re very aware they are a good side.”

Saints players Tranter Keyes and Cameron Hill have both kicked bags of five this season, but Hill will also miss this week.

Competition goals leader and Magpie Jordan Cullen has kicked six and eight goals in his two games, and will give the Saints a headache as Mackay’s main goalscoring threat.

“We’ll have a little plan for him, we won’t have a specific man for him but it’ll be a job for our whole back six.”

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Originally published as Top sides in Men’s Allied Cup will clash in a Mackay Derby