“It’s a day that usually brings the best out of both clubs all across all grades,” Roosters vice-president Dennis Curtis said. 

“Whenever the red and white jumpers run on to the recreation ground, we know it will be a close and hard-fought contest.”

League-tag opens the proceedings from 10.30am, but the Bega Chicks will be without rep players Kezie Apps and Joc Rogers, who head to Dubbo this weekend, while others will be out injured. 

The Chicks will look to the experienced players to steer the team against the Eden Tigerettes, who put up a bold showing against the competition front-running Bombala High Heelers last week. 

On the back of their first loss in two-and-a-half seasons, the Roosters under 18s will look to get back to game plan. 

“We paid the price,” coach James Scott said. 

“It was costly going away from our game plan.”

The coach is looking for a bit more focus from his charges to stave off the combined Eden-Cobargo roster that boasts some exciting young prospects like the speed-demon Matt Parsons. 

Reserves will also be a spirited contest with the Cobargo-Bermagui Eels boasting a strong record. 

“Under the guidance of coach David Boyle, the Eels have a 5-2 win-loss record and they will be keen to unleash Matt McGovern, Joel Anderson Jason Gannon and Damien Allen at us,” Bega secretary Brenton Blair said. 

Bega’s pack working under Wayne Northey has been playing solid football with Bateman and Aldridge brothers pairing up well, while John Parbery and Steven Luff have been in great form with no errors. 

“It will be a top preliminary game before the main game and one to watch,” Blair said. 

In the top grade match up, the Eden Tigers have had a hard run with a rising injury toll and some close defeats, but Bega coach Kane Morgan said he knows what the visitors are capable of. 

Eden captain Michael Wykes will look for a strong kicking game from his halfback John Aldridge to lead attacking raids, but the Roosters will be out to stifle his efforts. 

“He will need to be diffused as he caused our outside backs heaps of problems in the first round.” Morgan said. 

Ryan Apps and Scott Fuller will be to represent the Greater Southern Region in Dubbo in semi-finals of the Country Championships. 

However, the Roosters showed a return to the winners’ circle last Sunday, thumping the Pambula-Merimbula Bulldogs. 

Mitch Carter and Todd Ingram could prove key with hard runs through the ruck.

“I will look for much of the same as last week this Sunday with an emphasis again on improved line-speed in defence and completion of our sets,” Morgan said.