Why the next three games are crucial for the Western Clydesdales BMD Premiership team

The Western Clydesdales are set to tackle a series of blockbuster matches that could define their season and will shape their title hopes. Find out why their next three games are so important here.

Zoe Cook for the Western Clydesdales against the Central Queensland Capras in round 1 of the BMD Premiership. Picture: Kevin Farmer

As we near the midway point in the BMD Premiership, the next three games for the Western Clydesdales could make or break their season.

After four games, the Clydesdales have shown they are a dangerous side and sit fourth on the ladder with two wins, one draw and a loss.

They could be in an even stronger position had they not conceded a try to the Brisbane Tigers in the final play of the game in round 4.

A win over the Tigers would have seen the Clydesdales sitting in second heading into this weekend’s match.

However, despite their impressive start, the Clydesdales have a tough month ahead.

The Clydesdales will tackle the tackle the current BMD Premiership in their next three games, starting off with a blockbuster home clash against the undefeated Mackay Cutters on Sunday.

Following the game at Clive Berghofer Stadium, the Clydesdales will take on the third-placed Tweed Seagulls and second-placed Wynnum Manly Seagulls in back-to-back away games.

“It is so important that if we can win one or two of the next couple of weeks to put us in a really strong position to the back end of the season heading into finals,” Clydesdales coach Mitch Sargent said.

“The competition this year and it is a credit to the QRL, it is so close.

“I have never seen a competition, especially a female competition so close and deadset anyone on their day can beat anyone if they show up with the right attitude.

“So it is really important for us to play well over the next fortnight and put our best foot forward.”

If the Clydesdales can come away with at least two wins from the upcoming period, then there will be no doubting their credentials as premiership contenders.

However, if they struggle over the next few weeks, then it will be do-or-die in the final two games of the season against Norths Devils and Souths Logan Magpies.

Out of the three games, this weekend’s clash against the Cutters will be the biggest test for the Clydesdales as they take on the best offensive team in the competition.

Mackay has scored a stunning 106 points in its opening four games at an average of 26.5 points per game, while conceding just 58 points for the competition or less than 15 points per game.

“Mackay play a really powerful game through the middle and rely on some big bodies to get some momentum through the ruck and then some class out wide that is able to play off that if they get moving forward,” Sargent said.

“So the big thing for us this week and happens every week, if we can control the middle third of the field that puts us in a good position to hopefully compete really strongly against this team.”

Western Clydesdales players (from left) Grace McLauchlan, Kayla Jackson and Sarah Hoger. Picture: Kevin Farmer

As for the clashes with the two Seagulls teams, the Clydesdales have the strength and talent to take home wins if they have a near full strength side and play at their best.

However, they will be tested and if they have a passage of play where they are passive or not at their best, they will be punished, as was evident in their games against Burleigh and Brisbane.

Against the Bears, it was a slow start which saw the Clydesdales concede three tries in the opening 12 minutes and ultimately proved costly.

While against the Tigers, a two-minute lapse meant they missed out on what should have been a certain victory and instead had to settle for a draw.

While two losses from the next three games would be a major blow for the Clydesdales and would have their finals hopes hanging in the balance, it would not be catastrophic.

This is because the three teams above them and two below them – Norths Devils and Burleigh Bears – all have multiple big-game clashes in the final stages of the campaign and the Clydesdales could sneak home if they picked up wins in their final two games of the season.
Either way, the race for the top four is set to go down to the wire with the top six teams all set to take points off each other in what should be a thrilling final five weeks of the home and away season.