PORT City Breakers face another challenger looking to knock them off their lofty perch when they host Wingham at Regional Stadium on Saturday.
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Breakers fullback Owen Blair holds the key to victory, fresh from his last-minute heroics in Group 3’s last-minute representative win over Group 2 last weekend.
Coach Dan Kemp will look for Blair to continue on his recent purple patch of form.
“It’s the first time he’s done a real pre-season so he added a few kilos and he’s much fitter than he was last season,” he said.
“He’s a better player too which comes with a little bit of experience so you just let him off the leash.”
The Breakers have started the season with two wins from two starts, including a 48-12 belting of Forster-Tuncurry last weekend.
Kemp is still waiting for his side to click into gear for a full match after they had shown glimpses of good form in the opening two rounds.
In a battle that pits two of only three undefeated sides after two rounds, the Breakers expect a fired up Tigers side who accounted for Wauchope in their last start.
If Wingham are to continue their undefeated start to the season, a lot will revolve around captain-coach Danny Russell.
“He’ll steer them around the park; he’s a very controlled sort of player,” Kemp said.
“He’s the one telling them what to do and when to do it, so it’s pretty difficult to defend against that.”
The Breakers will be without Trae Clarke who is out with a broken thumb which will see Ricky Arnell take his place in the centres.
First grade kicks off at 2.30pm, with ladies league tag at midday and reserve grade at 1.20pm.