Rothery will inspire Comets

The Comets’ Alan Rothery will be looking to make a big impact.

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LOOK out Sunshine Coast, Alan Rothery is back and he means business.

Rothery is a tough forward with a massive workrate who is always a big influence to team mates.

While the Comets did well last weekend in the match with Mackay Cutters, the inspirational Rothery is capable of lifting the side another notch if the going gets tough.

Not that Gerard Parle, his replacement for that match, let anybody down as he, too, will have a job to do when he comes off the interchange bench.

It won’t be an easy game for the Central Queensland Comets against the 2009 premiers.

Coach Wayne Barnett knows the Coast has powerful forwards, a good half back and pace on the wings.

The match will be a test for the side’s stand-in fullback Guy Williams.

Even though the game is to be played at the Sunshine Coast, it is more than likely there will still be a breeze to contend with.

Halfback Brett Hodkinson is capable of hoisting the highest and most testing bombs in the Intrust Super Cup and with the Sea Eagles big men bearing down on him Williams will need all of his courage and concentration.

The Comets proved it can tough it out as a unit last week when the Cutters put the defence under severe pressure. However, the Sea Eagles are at another level to the Cutters and will have a few more tricks to test the Central Queensland side.

It will also be a tougher test for the newly formed halves combination of Matt Minto and Ben Hunt.

Last week they did little wrong and appeared to have struck up a good understanding, but will need to be concentrating for the full 80 minutes if they are to be as effective this week.

The short kicking game of the pair caused the Cutters some problems and will need similar accuracy to keep Sunshine Coast under pressure.

Hooker Ian Webster also provides a good kicking option and with the breeze at his back he showed how dangerous he can be with a glorious 40/20 to send the Cutters backwards, something that can break the spirit of an opponent.

While Dallas Williams gains his fair share of plaudits for his defensive game, he showed last week he can put points on the board by arriving at the end of a move to power over the line.

The Young Comets team take to the road this weekend with a trip to Toowoomba.

The games are not for competition points in the Meninga or Connell Cup competitions but nevertheless both teams will be up against an opponent in Central United that is out to prove itself.

Last week’s losses to the Townsville Stingers will be something coaches Steve Parle and Graeme Middlebrook will be out to erase from their memories.

COMETS LINE-UP

CQ Comets: 1: Guy Williams, 2 Junior Auru, 3: Karl Johnson, 4: Josh Bishop, 5: Dallas Williams, 6: Ben Hunt, 7: Matt Minto, 8: Alan Rothery, 9: Ian Webster, 10: Aaron Summers, 11: Chris Beasley, 12: Tyron Haynes, 13: Mick Esdale. Interchange: 14: Marc Fickling, 15: Guy Ford, 16: Darren Mapp, 17: Tim Glasby, 18: Gerard Parle . Coach: Wayne Barnett.