REDLANDS (2nd) v SOUTHS (1st): Friday April 4 7.15pm at Pinklands
Last Encounter: 2002 Round 18: Redlands 16 def Souths 12
Head to Head 2001/2: Redlands 6 Souths 0
Last 3 Gamess: Redlands: Mustangs WOF; Holy Spirit W 56-10; Centenary W 40-12
Souths: Redcliffe W 26-6; Mustangs W 72-0; Holy Spirit W 22-8
The "top-of-the-table" clash opens Round 4 with a Souths team whose defence is much improved on last year's taking on a Redlands side which has not had a lot of footy yet this season, having only played one trial, and also having Mustangs forfeit to them last week. The Parakeets were impressive in their two competition outings versus Centenary and Holy Spirit notching up big wins and this will be a real test for the Magpies, particularly if chief playmaker Mase is unavailable through injury. They overcame this adversity last week to run away from Redcliffe in the closing stages so should not be taken lightly, but Redlands must be favoured to maintain their 100% record against this side, having won all 6 previous encounters..
"The Computer" tips Redlands by 12.
EASTS (8th) v REDCLIFFE (5th): Friday April 4 7.15pm at Scott Pk
Last Encounter: 2002 Round 18: Redcliffe 30 def Easts 10
Head to Head 2001/2: Redcliffe 2 Easts 1
Last 3 Games: Easts: Logan Bros L 12-38; Arana L 0-54; Norths W 26-24
Redcliffe: Souths L 6-26; Logan Bros L 4-32; Mustangs W 42-4
Both these teams opened the season with a win, but have since lost two in a row, and will be looking for a win in this game to get their season back on track. Easts caused one of the big upsets of the year last season when they beat Redcliffe at Dolphin around mid-season, after having nearly rolled them in their first encounter. This is the Dolphin's first trip to Scott Pk after all three games were played on the peninsula last year, and the Tigers will want to send them back over the Houghton Highway a disappointed pod. Redcliffe will be looking to put in a full 60 minute effort in this game after fading badly in the second half of their last two games.
"The Computer" tips Redcliffe by 6.
ARANA (4th) v HOLY SPIRIT (7th): Friday April 4 7.45pm at Dawson Pde
Last Encounter: 2002 Round 1: Arana 48 def Holy Spirit 4
Head to Head 2001/2: Arana 3 Holy Spirit 1
Last 3 Games: Arana: Centenary W 40-12; Easts W 54-0; Logan Bros L 26-30
Holy Spirit: Norths W 18-16; Redlands L 10-56; Souths L 8-22
Holy Spirit will not have good memories of the last time they visited Dawson Pde when they were hammered by Arana 48-4 in the opening game of the 2002 season. This is a much improved Hornets side from them, and they will be buoyed by their come-from-behind win against the Devils last Friday night. Arana suffered the disappointment of a first round loss but have bounced back well against Easts and Centenary and will be looking to keep this form up in this encounter. Holy Spirit were well and truly in the game against Souths until some unforced errors gifted Souths points early in the second half, and they will not be able to do the same against the well-drilled Panthers side or they will rack up points quickly. Promises to be an entertaining match as both teams have fast backs and play entertaining football.
"The Computer" tips Arana by 12.
LOGAN BROS (3rd) v CENTENARY (6th): Sunday April 6 10.45am at Cicic Pk
Last Encounter: 2002 Knockout Semi: Centenary 24 def Logan Bros 14
Head to Head 2001/2: Logan Bros 2 Centenary 2
Last 3 Games: Logan Bros: Easts W 38-12; Redcliffe W 32-4; Arana W 30-26
Centenary: Arana L 12-40; Norths W 46-14; Redlands L 12-40
The last time these two teams met was in last year's knockout semi when Centenary ended Logan Brother's season with a 10 point victory on the back of four 40/20 kicks from Tim Mc, so there will be no shortage of motivation for the Logan boys to try to continue their excellent start to the season. Centenary have had the hardest start to the season of any team, meeting Redlands, Arana and Logan Bros in the first 4 rounds and are struggling with injuries to key players currently. Unless they can get some of their big guns back on Sunday they could really struggle against the home side who are playing pretty impressively this early in the season.
"The Computer" tips Logan Bros by 18.
NORTHS have a BYE
