Valleys, Warwick and Dalby put unbeaten TRL records on line

TRL TIPS: Dalby, Valleys and Warwick have set the early TRL A-grade pace winning all of their games. This weekend they put their unbeaten records on line. Find out who think will win here.

Matthew Waites (pictured in action for Highfields last season) has carried his form with the Eagles over to Valleys Roosters. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The perfect run of at least one TRL A-grade team will come to an end on Saturday night.

Dalby Diehards, Valleys Roosters and Warwick Cowboys sit atop the TRL Hutchinson Builders A-grade ladder, unbeaten in their first four games, and separated only by points difference.

With a 131 points differential the Roosters lead the race with just 19 points separating them and the Cowboys in third place.

Saturday at Father Ranger Oval will be a blockbuster match with the Cowboys playing host to the Diehards.

On paper the Roosters have the easier match up, playing host to Highfields, but the Eagles will be full of confidence after a last start 26-22 win over Goondiwindi Boars.

Ahead of Round 5 this weekend The Chronicle, with the help of TRL media identity Andrew O’Brien, have run the rule over the top three teams.

Valleys Roosters

The Roosters are crowing this season.

After missing out on finals in 2022, the Pillar Street side have hit the ground running scoring the second most points to date.

“The depth of talent in the squad is a big factor,” O’Brien said.

“They’re strong in a lot of positions and everyone is on the same page.

“How they’ve used their Western Clydesdales aligned players has also been impressive.

“It (using Clydesdales players) can be a bit tricky but they’ve done it well so far.”

Havles Dwayne Duncan and Sam Betros have been standouts for the Roosters so far with Betros cementing his status as one of the TRL’s best playmakers following an off-season move.

The talented playmakers have also been well supported by Matthew Waites and Domenic Whittingham.

“Waites had a great finals campaign for Highfields last year and has carried that form over for Valleys,” O’Brien said.

“Domenic Whitingham has also been very good.”

Valleys piled on the points last week against Newtown winning 68-6 but the result was built on defensive steel as much as attacking flair.

The Chronicle Sport Team game day prediction: The Roosters have conceded just nine points a game this season. If they can muscle up in defence against Eagles they’ll win this one comfortably 24-8.

Chris Woodbridge of Coastal Blacks is lifted in a tackle by SEQ Magic players in the Warriors Reconciliation Knockout Carnival. Woodbridge has been a star for the Dalby Diehards this season. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Dalby Diehards

At a glance it’s the Chris Woodbridge show in Dalby.

Woodbridge has scored 10 tries in four games this season and has amassed 87 points.

Dalby’s success isn’t built on the speedy fullback though.

“If you think it’s just him, you’re wrong,” O’Brien said.

“They’ve got a lot of talented players who have formed some great combinations over the years and plenty experience.

“They give their backs room to move by doing the hard work up front as well.”

The Chronicle Sport Team game day prediction: This is a hard one to pick. Dalby have scored 45 points than Warwick this season, but the Cowboys has been sharper conceding 38 points less. The Cowboys have shared the tries this season and that will likely be the difference in this game. Cowboys 22 beat the Diehards 18 in a thriller.

Warwick Cowboys

Like Valleys, Warwick have got the player mix right this season.

There was quite a bit of player turnover at Father Ranger Oval in the off-season but the new talent has gelled with the club’s ”old heads”.

“Their new signings are gelling with the established players,” O’Brien said.

“Their halves pairing is doing well for them and they have some very experienced heads steering the team as well.”

One of Warwick’s key men however is a winger who hasn’t played a game for the club all season.

“I think you have to acknowledge Mitchell Watson,” O”Brien said.

“He’s a Warwick boy and proof to the club’s younger players of what they can achieve now with some hard work and dedication.

“Watching him star for the Western Clydesdales has no doubt lifted the entire mood at the club.”

The Chronicle Sport Team game day prediction: This is a hard one to pick. Dalby have scored 45 points than Warwick this season, but the Cowboys has been sharper conceding 38 points less. The Cowboys have shared the tries this season and that will likely be the difference in this game. Cowboys 22 beat the Diehards 18 in a thriller.

Mitchell Watson on his way to score the third of his five tries for Western Clydesdales against Ipswich Jets. Picture: Nev Madsen.