Carlos draws on other inspiration

INJURY CLOUD: Central Comets hooker Ian Webster is racing the clock to be fit for his CQ Challenge Cup debut for defending premiers Yeppoon this weekend.

YEPPOON Seagulls coach Walson Carlos has tapped into the minds of Central Comets stars Ian Webster and Junior Auru ahead of this weekend's must-win clash against Gladstone Brothers.

Webster and Auru are set to join Yeppoon's do-or-die round 13 CQ Challenge Cup match at the Gladstone Junior Fields on Sunday, with the Comets enjoying the weekend off in the Queensland Cup due to the City versus Country representative clash.

While both Webster (neck) and Auru (ankle) are under injury clouds for the game, Carlos has already used the pair this week to gain some tips in improving areas of his team's game.

“We've just tried to utilise their knowledge from training at a higher level,” Carlos said yesterday.

“We want to try and dominate around the ruck (against Gladstone Brothers) and they've shown us some techniques at training.”

The Seagulls' title defence is on the line in the final two rounds.

The equation is simple for the defending premiers - beat Gladstone Brothers this weekend and then Fitzroy Gracemere in the last round.

Yeppoon are coming off their best win of the 2009 season with a 62-12 demolition of Tannum Sands last weekend, with hard-hitting forward Steve Nelson scoring a hat-trick.

Carlos has been bolstered by the return of playmaker Nathan Barraclough, along with the addition of Webster and Auru, barring injury.

The trio's inclusions counter the loss of gun centre Christian Davies, who is set to miss the rest of Yeppoon's CQ Challenge Cup campaign with a hamstring injury.

Carlos believes his team can ruffle some feathers in the finals series - but they must get there first.

“I just want to see them play to their potential and I think they did that last game,” he said.

“We're a capable side and capable of beating any team in the competition on our day.”

In tomorrow night's big game at Browne Park, the in-form CQU Norths Chargers are eyeing off a home semi-final spot in their showdown with Wallabys/Valleys.

Chargers player-coach Kane Hardy has welcomed back Todd Titmus from the Comets and Hardy also warned the team's “X-factor” Russell Webber was starting to fire on all cylinders.

“Russell's our X-factor. He's the big V8 of our backline - he's firing on eight cylinders at the moment,” Hardy said.

At Victoria Park tomorrow night, a Rockhampton Brothers'“Old Boys” gathering will give the competition leaders plenty of support when they tackle traditional rivals Fitzroys Gracemere.

In tomorrow night's other game, Tannum Sands host Biloela.