IT'S the battle that has local rugby league fans licking their lips with excitement -when Tullibigeal Lakes United captain-coach Jaden Kelly lines up against Waratahs playmaker Ben Jeffery at Exies Oval on Sunday.
The attacking maestros have spearheaded their sides to several spectacular performances this year, with the statistics not lying as to how important their form will be to their side's chances this round.
Both players are in the top four for total points scored this season, with halfback Kelly tallying 168 for the Sharks by way of an incredible 18 tries in 12 games to go with his excellent goal-kicking.
Former NRL player Jeffery has also been in devastating form since returning to Group 20 this year, with 12 tries in nine games and many more try assists.
Waratahs coach Kodie Charles agreed Jeffery has been one of the team's cornerstones this season, but said his players will have to shut down Kelly, who Charles called a "very smart footballer".
"You can't give him room to do what he wants but at the same time you can't rush up on him, you have to go up in a line to shut down his options," Charles said.
"He's a smart player, so if the boys are not on their toes this weekend with him or any of their other players, he'll cut us up."
Kelly himself admitted Jeffery will give his side headaches all game if given the opportunity, but warned his men the former Gold Coast Titan player is far from being the Tigers' only weapon.
"They've got great players all over the park, so if you worry too much about him (Jeffery) then they've got other blokes there that can be just as dangerous, so everybody will have to be on their toes because they've got a side that can score points from anywhere," Kelly said.
"It's a pretty tough ask going there in the rut we're in so it'll be a good test for us to see if we can come good at the important end of the year.
"We had a bit of a laid back training last night (Wednesday) so it was not a bad feeling between the boys so I think we're heading in the right direction."
Hurting the Sharks' chances of breaking their three game losing streak are niggling injures to Shane Bell, Jamie O'Neill and Michael Mogliotti, with the trio uncertain of playing.
The Tigers has received a massive midweek boost with the return of livewire hooker Richie Bamblett, who was returned to the club after working in Queensland.
Charles said Bamblett's return when combined with a renewed focus on winning the premiership should see his side shake of the mental lapses that have at times been a disruptive influence on the Tigers' form.
"The game against Leeton everybody was upset how we played, it was probably the worst performance I've ever had and the worst I've ever been a part of," he said.
"After the Leeton game, blokes have been told from and they've looked at the bigger picture, and the blokes that haven't been training well have been training the house game, so if that's any indication then we'll go well this weekend."
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