However, boys from The Riverina Anglican College are not willing to surrender to Pool A rival and favourite Mater Dei.

“I’d like to think that we’re capable of an upset,” TRAC coach Mick Reynolds said.

“We’d never go in thinking we’re going to lose. I do know Mater Dei has depth all over the field, from the back pocket to the forwards.”

“If we bring our desire to win the football and desire to tackle, we can certainly put a scare in them.”

The team did everything Reynolds asked of them in the second preliminary game last week, improving goal-kicking efficiency and kicking seven straight goals.

This week he has asked them to apply continued pressure on rival players.

“Mater Dei likes to play open football,” Reynolds said.

“I’m hoping to make sure we’re accountable for our man.”

All of TRAC’s best from last week, Justin Jenkins, Luke Nicholas, Harry Reynolds, Liam Delahunty and Henry Lane, will play.

Later in the night, Kildare contends with Kooringal in another do or die semi-final.

Kildare will present a stronger team, with the inclusion of more Greater Western Sydney Giants academy players, Kane Flack, Ryan Allen, Tom Anderson and Mitch Bloomfield, this week.

“We should be much stronger than we were,” Kildare coach Peter Gaffney said.

Kildare comes off a comprehensive win against Kooringal in round games.

Gaffney fears likely grand finalist Mater Dei will be better-prepared for the big dance.

“Mater Dei might have a much harder game, it will put them in good stead for the grand final,” he said.

“But you never know what Kooringal will do, they could turn up and really stick it to us.”

With the State of Origin taking place on Wednesday May 31, the decider is scheduled for Monday, a point of contention for Gaffney, concerned players will pull up sore from the weekend and have no choice but to play.

“It’s putting a big demand on the kids when we should be protecting them,” he said.

Schedule

6pm: Mater Dei v TRAC

7.30pm: Kildare v Kooringal