Nudgee are one of four undefeated sides remaining in the GPS competition after the opening three rounds but are still yet to produce a consistent performance according to coach Andrew Scotney. 

After a bye in round one, the (joint) defending premiers recorded victories over Ipswich and Gregory Terrace but haven’t had things their own way. 

“We’re where we want to be in terms of starting the season with a few wins but both games have been really tough,” Scotney told Rugby News. 

“We were behind at half time in both matches and finished well in the second half to get the points. It’s not ideal, but it’s a positive sign to be finishing matches off.  

“Our ball control in attack hasn’t been great. We’ve turned the ball over far too easily and we haven’t been building enough pressure on sides when we’ve got the ball. 

“Against Ipswich we had a lot of ball in their 22, but through their good defence and our poor ball control, we weren’t able to take advantage of that. 

“We didn’t have as many opportunities against Terrace and kept turning the ball over around halfway. But when we did get into their 22 in the second half, we made the most of those opportunities. 

Scotney said he’s been pleased with the passages of play when his side has controlled possession in the opening rounds. 

“Our tries aren’t coming off first or second phase. We’re having to work hard and control possession to try and wear down the opposition but when we’re playing well, we’re doing that and eventually breaking through.

“We’ve had one or two injuries in the forwards but the boys that have come in have done a great job. Fortunately we’ve got some really good depth in the forward pack. 

“In the backs, we’ve had the same backline every week so far, which is a bonus.”

Scotney is extremely wary of a luckless State High outfit who have lost three straight tight matches against three undefeated teams in Churchie, Toowoomba and TSS. 

“They could very easily be 3-0 not 0-3 if a few things went their way over the past few weeks. We know they are a very good team,” the coach said. 

“It’s probably the best State High side I’ve seen since 2018. They’ve got a lot of X-Factor, but they also look fitter and a bit more athletic than they have been in previous years.”

State High opened the scoring against TSS after just 80 seconds last week and Scotney knows his side can’t afford a slow start again, like in the opening rounds. 

“When we kick the ball, we need to kick the ball on our terms. And we can’t open the field up for them, that’s always a good start. 

“Defensively, we need to be really switched on through those early phases and try to slow the ball down when we can so we can form our defensive line.

“We’ve also got to defend their 10 well.”

After three rounds, Nudgee, Churchie, Toowoomba and TSS remain undefeated but Scotney thinks that could potentially change this weekend. 

“It’s everything what we thought it was going to be. It’s a really close competition and results are confirming that. When you watch the games, most of them are going right down to the wire and there’s only a few points in it.  

“Then when the game ends, the side trailing always seems to have the ball and be on the attack looking to win. 

“It’s a close competition and I think there will still be a few upsets that might shake up the competition.” 

In the rounds other matches, Ipswich host Gregory Terrace, BBC play Toowoomba and TSS face Brisbane Grammar.