Cross-town and arch rivals North Mackay and Mackay City will go head to head, as the Saints and Hawks head-line the opening round of the 2015 Allied Pickford's Cup season.
If pre-season form counts for anything, the Hawks will go into this game as slight favourites.
However, both teams kept their cards pretty close to their chest throughout the pre-season challenge in early March and with both sides appointing two new coaches, expect the unexpected. Mackay City hold the bragging rights after their 10point win over the Saints in game 2 of the pre-season challenge in Airlie.
North Mackay will be keen for redemption after exiting the 2014 finals in week one and will be looking to start the new season on the right foot.
Both players have several key players but for the Hawks, none more so than Nabako Stow who impressed in the AFL Rio Tinto Indigenous All-Stars match in February in Perth. Stow has had an impressive pre-season thus far and the Hawks will no doubt be looking inject his pace and silky skills through the mid-field.
The Saints will be looking for their next generation of stars to step up after the off-season departure of 2014 club best and fairest Nathan Peters to Hermit Park AFC in Townsville.
Young-stars like Angus Johnston, Thomas Morley, Sam Stewart will be the keys if the Saints are to take the next step.
Both sides will rely heavily on a few seasoned veterans and hard runners but this game will come down to one simple act, discipline. Whichever side can stay focused for the entire four quarters, will come out with the four premiership points.
In the weekend's other Allied Pickford's Cup fixtures, Bakers Creek and Mackay Magpies will go head to head at Etwell Park and the Eastern Swans will host the Whitsunday Sea Eagles at Rogers Oval.
Round 1 Allied Pickford's Cup
North Mackay Vs. Mackay City 2:45pm @ Zeolla Park
Bakers Creek Vs. Mackay Magpies 2:45pm @ Etwell Park
Eastern Swans Vs. Whitsunday 2:45pm @ Rogers Oval
Moranbah - bye
The views in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of AFL Mackay, affiliate clubs, players or officials.
Last Modified on 07/04/2015 08:16