AUSSIE RULES: Colin Pope came up with the idea of a pre-season Aussie rules carnival nine years ago and is just as involved now as he was then.

Pope is a former Warwick Redbacks president and said the Redbacks played regular pre-season games against Lismore and he decided it was time to involve more teams.

Unbeknown to Pope, some Warwick officials behind the scenes decided the competition he started would be called the Cardinal Cup.

If you ring Pope and he doesn't answer his mobile, you hear a message from "The Cardinal” requesting the caller leave a message.

Pope had no say but it became the Cardinal Cup and is now in its ninth year.

Jimboomba Redbacks have won the carnival on four occasions, the Warwick Redbacks three times and Goondiwindi once.

Initially, it was Warwick, Jimboomba, Lismore and Goondiwindi as Pope pushed the advantage of players coming up against teams from other competitions in pre-season games.

Lismore Swans are not involved at present, South Toowoomba played for the first time last year and Toowoomba Tigers will debut this year, making it a five-team carnival.

As some Toowoomba fields are unavailable due to cricket commitments, hosts South Toowoomba have chosen to play the carnival at Kratzke Oval, Highfields, this weekend.

"The hosts do the draw and each team will have two games a day,” Pope said.

"Lockyer Valley will join the Cardinal Cup next year and we have fielded interest from Collingwood Park from AFLQ division three.

"Collingwood Park couldn't play this weekend due to a clash with games in their own league.”

Pope tipped there would be a female Cardinal Cup within two years.

Last year, Jimboomba narrowly beat Warwick in the final but there will be no final this year as the winners will be determined by results during this weekend.

Warwick Redbacks player Alex Cutmore said the Cardinal Cup was always a good weekend.

"We always want to win but we also want to play well,” he said.

Reigning Holman Medallist Tyhe Clarkson will play on Saturday but has cricket final commitments with the Redbacks team on Sunday.

Cutmore said the club was keen to attract more players.

"Come down on Thursday at 5.30pm,” he said. Training is at Warwick Credit Union Oval in Jackie Howe Dr.