Dalby coach calling on his players for an 80-minute effort against unbeaten Goondiwindi

Dalby calling on an 80-minute performance as they prepare for blockbuster encounter with Goondiwindi in TRL round six action.

Dylan Taylor of Dalby. Picture: Kevin Farmer

RUGBY LEAGUE: Two of the TRL Premiership’s in-form teams are set for a blockbuster at Dalby.

The third-placed Diehards play host to the unbeaten Goondiwindi Boars in round six action, with coach Kerry Carmichael warning his team needs to lift.

“It’ll be a good day. They’re the form team of the competition and we know we’re in for a test,” he said.

“We’re going well, but we’re not playing our best footy, although not a lot of teams are at this stage (of the year).”

Dalby comes into the contest off the back of three-straight victories, including a 50-16 defeat of Souths last weekend.

“We weren’t at our best and Souths were forcing some errors out of us,” he said.

“After we scored three quick tries before halftime we were able to go on with it.

“We still haven’t played a full 80 minutes yet. We tend to float in and out of games, where we need to stay consistent.

“Against Goondiwindi we have to be on our game. We can’t afford to give them back-to-back sets. The less opportunities we give them, the better.”

Second rower Josh Boyd has proved to be a revelation in recent weeks, scoring seven tries in the space of a fortnight.

“He’s working out at Chinchilla and (Danny) Wassell put me onto him,” Carmichael said.

“We asked if he wanted to come out and have a run, and he travels down for training once a week.

“Josh is getting better with each game. He’s a strong runner of the ball and is hard to handle. He’s one of our key players and we’re going to need him (firing) this week.”

In other action, traditional Southern Downs rivals Wattles and Warwick go to battle at Platz Oval.

Both teams have struggled with injuries and unavailability in recent times, as the Warriors look for revenge for a Barrett Shield defeat in the pre-season.

Warwick and Wattles are currently locked in share of fifth position with three wins and two losses for the season.

Valleys can potentially end the round in first place when it travels to take on the winless Newtown Lions on Saturday night, while Brothers and Pittsworth are both looking for their second win of the season on Sunday.

TRL FIXTURES

SATURDAY: Newtown vs Valleys at Jack Martin Centre, 6.30pm; Wattles vs Warwick at Platz Oval, 7pm.

SUNDAY: Dalby vs Goondiwindi at Dalby RLFC; Gatton vs Southern Suburbs at Cahill Park; Brothers vs Pittsworth at Glenholme Park; Highfields vs Oakey at Kuhls Rd. Games at 2.30pm.