By Michael Atkinson

A new Magpie in The Nest, silverware on the line, Galloper returns to the stable and Sunday afternoon footy – all you need to know about the four games in round five.

Wests vs. Souths (Sylvan Road, 3:20pm) – Match of the Round

Top-of-the-table Souths head to Sci-fleet Stadium in Toowong with their tails up and the wind beneath their wings (yes, that’s a Bette Midler reference, what of it!).

Three straight wins, averaging nearly 40 points a game and now they have the inclusion of Reds winger and 1-cap Wallaby, Eto Nabuli.

The “Big Bird” will be hard to tie down at club level and will be a nice target for a few Cooper-looper passes (Quade’s trademark 60-man cut-out/intercept ball).

Wests on the other hand are coming off a shock loss to Norths and are missing talented hooker Efi Maafu, who is on Junior Wallabies duties.

Atko’s tip: Souths by 15

Easts vs. Sunnybank (3:20pm, David Wilson Field)

The Tigers are on the hunt. Two wins from their last two starts, and current holders of The Bunter Bowl after retrieving it from the Gold Coast last weekend.

The Dragons will be coming out of their den following a week of licking their wounds thanks to a hiding from UQ. They hadn’t lost a game until that demolition so they are hungry to bounce back, but they will be missing young playmaker Isaac Lucas, representing the Junior Wallabies against Fiji.

The two sides will battle it out for the Bunter Bowl as well as the Rick Tyrrell Cup – honouring the former Dragon, Tiger and Reds prop who sadly passed away in 2015 after a battle with mental illness.

This year, the commemorative clash will also see the two teams swap playing socks before the game to create conversation and better awareness about mental health. Guaranteed to be a fantastic afternoon out at Bottomley Park and definitely a passionate game of footy.

Tip: Easts by 3

Norths vs. GPS (3:20pm, Hugh Courtney Oval)

This has become somewhat of a strong rivalry in recent seasons. Former GPS Reserve Grade (Second Grade) coach Nick Fogarty has been at the helm for the Eagles for the past three years, perhaps stimulating the growing tension between these two sides.

Norths were impressive in their come-from-behind win over Wests last week. The Gallopers are coming off a bye, but suffered their first loss of 2018 two weeks ago to Sunnybank.

James Tuttle will line-up at halfback for Jeeps after being omitted from the Reds 23-man squad this week. He’ll add plenty of direction and experience in the halves. Meanwhile, Duncan Paia’aua is unlikely to turn out for Norths after featuring on the bench for the Reds against the Lions, and centre Tony Hunt is also unavailable, riding the pine for the Junior Wallabies.

Tip: Gallopers by 6

Brothers vs. Bond (3:20pm, Jack Ross Oval)

Bond’s high after beating UQ didn’t last too long, defeated by Easts on their home turf last week. Towering lock Angus Blyth is missing due to junior rep duties for Australia at the Oceania Rugby U20s Championship.

But Brothers are more heavily affected by the absence of young stars: flanker, Fraser McReight; flyhalf, Lawson Creighton; and hooker, Matt Faessler are all pulling on the green and gold this weekend. Their absence puts a lot of pressure on the Brethren’s already young and inexperienced squad.

Tip: Bond by 8

Reminder all games are on Sunday this weekend and all available via livestream at redsrugby.com.au