Last season Warrigals maintained their position on the top of the leader board for majority of the competition, as a result they took out the minor premiership but lost the grand final.

Warrigals vice president, Cameron McKerrow, said the team would ideally like to restore to their former glory of the 2014/15 season when they won the premiership and minor premiership.

“The current culture brotherhood and support network we have at Warrigals gives shivers back down my spine, it’s the same feeling which we didn’t have last year,” McKerrow said.

“Last year we had the attitude that we could coast through the season relying on solo brilliance, there was no want like we have this year. The boys really have that hunger back and pride in the jersey, they go out with the intent to not just win but the keep the opposing team to nil.”

Warrigals have kept their opponents scoreless five times this season.

McKerrow said Warrigals were now looking ahead to grand final time.

“We will be there come finals and that is not talking the team up, that is the mindset we have. We are hungry, we want that cup back, we want to honour past old boys like Barry Pollard who passed recently and give back to our fans and supporters who turn up rain hail or shine every week.

“Shift work, holidays and injuries have hit us hard this year only fielding a full squad three times but we have been competitive every time contesting scrums regardless of lack of props. This six week break couldn’t have come quick enough we have a lot of boys just needing the rest.”

Warrigals will have to watch out for their long time grand final rivals, Euros who also have their eyes on the grand final silverware.

For the last five years, locals have watched the grand final battles between Euros and Warrigals with Euros winning in 2016, 2014 and 2013, and Warrigals victory in 2015 and 2012.

Euros player, Jacob Takurit, said his team’s discipline throughout the season had been good.

“We are lucky having finished the first half of the season with no injuries. This will allow the boys to just relax and not worrying about recovering from footy injuries,” Takurit said.

“After the New Year celebrations Euros’ focus will be getting players to training for the second half of the season. Our games have been up and down and that is from not being consistent and not attending training.

“The team will be looking to unite and work together. We also need to work on our defence in the middle of the ruck as there are a lot of gaps and we need to work on that.”

After Marty Paulson’s lack of conversions in last week’s game against Cloncurry, Takurit said Paulson needed to work on his kicking or they would find a replacement.

Reflecting on the Mount Isa Rugby Union season so far Warrigals are sitting on top of the leader board after eight wins and only one loss to Euros by six points in Week One. Euros are placed second with seven wins and two losses both to Warrigals. Keas are placed third with two wins and seven losses. Cloncurry are in fourth place with one win and eight losses.

Previous match results:

Match one Cloncurry 31, Keas 22

Match two Euros 26, Warrigals 20

Match three Warrigals 47, Cloncurry 0

Match four Euros 25, Keas 12

Match five Euros 37, Cloncurry 7

Match six Warrigals 28, Keas 0

Match seven Warrigals 21, Euros 15

Match eight Keas 38, Cloncurry 5

Match nine Euros 39, Keas 17

Match ten Warrigals 53, Cloncurry 0

Match 11 Euros 47, Cloncurry 0

Match 12 Warrigals 32, Keas 12

Match 13 Warrigals 19, Euros 0

Match 14 Keas 36, Cloncurry 21

Match 15 Euros 36, Keas 5

Match 16 Warrigals 46, Cloncurry 26

Match 17 Euros 37, Cloncurry 10

Match 18 Warrigals 29, Keas 0.