By Liam Emerton
After suffering a tight loss, the Rockhampton Leagues Club Capras will have to refocus ahead of another big challenge.
The Capras are set to face the Tweed Seagulls this weekend having lost to the Brisbane Tigers by just two points last week.
Wingers Edrick Lee and Brandon Roberts are still proving deadly threats on each side of the field but it was actually the Capras discipline that let them down against Brisbane.
Giving away two easy shots, the Central Queenslanders would see the Tigers slot over two penalty goals to help them secure the narrow victory.
That certainly can’t happen this weekend as the Capras line up against the Tweed Seagulls away from home.
The Seagulls may sit down the ladder from the CQ squad but they are not a team to underestimate.
Slipping down to fifth after that loss, the Capras are facing a potential steep descent if they don’t pick up all two points this weekend.
With Wynnum Manly, Northern Pride and the SC Falcons all playing winnable games, the Capras could find themselves on the brink of dropping out of the eight.
But a win for CQ could see them rise to third, which is a telling sign of how close this competition is.
The Central Queenslanders have already knocked off the Seagulls once this season when Anthony Milford’s field goal won us the match.
Milford obviously won’t be available, nor will shining star Kodi Nikorima who has been playing incredibly well for the NRL Dolphins.
The Seagulls will also be coming off a loss after being defeated by PNG in Port Moresby on the weekend.
They’ll be eager to move inside the top eight but can obviously only do that with a strong win.
It was also a really tough weekend for our young guns with our under-21s going down 40-6 against the Brisbane squad.
The Hastings Deering Colts team will look to rebound from that loss and change their fortune against the Seagulls this weekend.
The Seagulls are currently deep in the top eight while the Capras are struggling down in 14th position.
A big win could be all that’s needed to kickstart the young Central Queensland team’s season but it will be a tall task to start this Saturday.