THE Ipswich Jets will have a training session against the Brisbane Broncos at Red Hill on Saturday morning to round off their preparation for the start of the Intrust Super Cup.
The hit-out has been arranged partly to make up for last weekend’s washed out trial matches between the Jets and PNG and Tweed Heads.
The state competition begins the following weekend, on March 7, but Jets co-coach Shane Walker said he had no concerns his team would head into the competition underdone.
He did concede however, that he and brother Ben still had a lot of work to do finalising the 17-man first grade squad.
But if that placed any extra emphasis on Saturday’s session with the Broncos, Shane wasn’t letting on.
The coach claimed he wasn’t fazed by missing out on scheduled trials last weekend and that the players were ready to go for round one.
“I was talking to Wayne (Bennett) the other day,” Walker said.
“It coincided with our trials being called off.
‘It’s provided us with a chance to have a good hit out.
The Broncos have already staged trials against other Intrust Super Cup feeder clubs Wynnum Manly and Redcliffe this year.
Walker would love to see the Broncos come to Ipswich for a full pre-season trial, but concedes the Jets haven’t got the same clout with the Broncos as long-time feeder clubs Wynnum-Manly and Redcliffe.
“If we were able to it would be wonderful to showcase the Broncos in our home town,” he said.
“But the other clubs have had a longer standing relationship.”
Walker said “At least 20 or 21 Players,” had impressed enough to warrant consideration for the Jets round one team to take on Wynnum Manly at North Ipswich.
“They’re all definitely in the mix,” he said.
“It will come down to a number of things.
“Like where some players are in their physical preparations.
“Some are coming back from injuries and have had limited preparations.
“The bench is wide open.”
Once the coaches have viewed video footage of Wynnum Manly’s trials they will have a better idea of who to pick, Walker said.
Thank you to the QT for this article.