The Waratah Tigers and Tullibigeal Lake Cargelligo will face off at Exies Oval with the home side having the opportunity to take top spot should results go there way.
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The two sides have been the benchmark sides so far this season and are among the favourites to be in the grand final at the end of the season.
The Waratahs are coming into this weekend off the back of a big win over Hay while TLU is currently on a losing streak of two games after losses to Black and Whites and Yenda in the last two rounds.
Waratahs coach Kose Lelei is happy with how his side is progressing but will be without to key components for this weekend’s crucial clash.
“My brother (Moahoni Lelei) is still suspended and will be out for a while still,” he said.
“Chris Hanneman will be away this weekend as well but Apenisa Driti will be back this weekend, and he will step into Chris’ spot.”
The sides' previous meeting saw the Sharks able to take a 31-24 win in Lake Cargelligo, and at that stage, it was the Waratahs first loss of the season.
Heading into this weekend, Lelei knows his side is going have to watch out for the Sharks key playmaker and coach.
“Jaden will be the man to shut down for Lakes,” he said.
“He always controls his team really well.
“We just need to play patience footy and get through our sets.”
There will be extra meaning to the clash this weekend with both clubs using the match up to promote the “Thought, Talk, Tackle” mental health message for WellWays Australia and the Murrumbidgee Suicide Prevention program.
The two clubs have banded together this year to raise awareness around suicide prevention and mental wellbeing and are keen to back to project which encourages talking about and tackling mental health concerns, instead of ‘bottling it up’. The clubs hope to generate conversation in relation to mental health issues and general well-being.
The Waratahs will be presented a game day jersey which will later be auctioned that evening with the proceeds being split 50/50 between the football club and the Wellways Community Response to Suicide Strategy.
Other activities on match day include trivia questions and an under 14s sprint at halftime of the first-grade game.
The action at Exies Oval on Sunday will get underway at 12pm with the league tag clash which will be followed with the reserves taking to the field at 1pm with the jersey presentation to occur before the reserve grade encounter.
The first-grade game will end the day with kick off scheduled for around 2.30pm
Liam Warren
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
