By Michael Atkinson

Bond Uni put the Bunter Bowl on the line, UQ facing a third straight defeat and the Eagles stranded – all that and more ahead of round four of Queensland premier Rugby.

Bond University vs. Easts (Match of the Round – 4:20pm, Robina)

The Gold Coasters shocked UQ (and the rest of the competition) with a one point win over the Red Heavies at St.Lucia.

Just beating the reigning premiers was impressive enough, but doing it on the road, inflicting UQ’s first home loss since round 1 2016 was astounding.

That will give the Bond boys a huge amount of confidence. Easts are also coming off a good win (their first of the season) and will be keen to snatch the “Bunter Bowl” from Bond. This one will be tight, a real squeaky bum affair.

Atko’s tip: Bond by 5

Sunnybank vs. University of Queensland (3:20pm, Oldmac Oval)

The top-of-the-table, undefeated Dragons are flying. Comparatively, UQ are struggling in a way we haven’t seen for some time (two losses on the trot is not something the Students are used to).

Sunnybank’s impressive win over GPS last week proved they are not to be underestimated this season (a mistake this reporter made last week).

It’s almost unfathomable to imagine Uni will lose a third straight, and they have had ‘the wood’ on Sunnybank in recent seasons. That being said, the Dragons are looking like a much better side after three rounds.

Tip: Sunnybank by 3

Wests vs. Norths (3:20pm, Sylvan Road)

The Bulldogs will be fresh and energetic after the bye last week, while Norths are feeling like plucked chooks after a spanking by the Magpies.

The Bulldogs are usually formidable at home but their last match at Sci-fleet Stadium was a narrow loss to Sunnybank.

Wests will be out to make amends for their faithful fans and Norths could be in for a tough afternoon if the Doggies come out firing.

A draw and a loss for Nick Fogarty’s men has many pundits unsure about the Eagles once again this season, but they are a better side than last year; they just need to get some confidence with a win!

Tip: Wests by 3

Souths vs. Brothers (3:20pm, Chipsy Wood Oval)

The Magpies are soaring with two strong wins from their opening two matches. They were put under pressure at times by Norths last week but ultimately, they dispatched of the Eagles comfortably.

Quade Cooper is doing plenty of “Quade Cooper things”: i.e. offloads, ridiculous cut out passes and some strong kicking, coupled with missed tackles and simple errors under no pressure.

But you can’t deny his presence at this level is providing his Souths team mates with plenty of confidence.

That’s something a young Brothers side has also built since their opening round loss to GPS. A win over Uni in round 2, and they almost ran down Easts last week when George Smith entered the fray.

He won’t be available this weekend so the Butcher stripes will need to find inspiration from another source.

Tip: Souths by 15

All games are available via livestream on redsrugby.com.au