AFTER a 34-22 loss to the Stanthorpe Gremlins on Saturday, the Killarney Cutters are at home for a second week running in the local A-grade derby against the Warwick Rebels this Saturday.

Killarney Cutters coach Tony Bryant rated Adam Upton, Ken Stoneman and Peter Giffin as his best players last weekend.

The Gremlins went to Killarney as competition leaders but found the Cutters a tough side. It was a hard physical encounter between the two sides.

Bryant is hoping for a strong turnout of players at training this week in preparation for the local derby.

Centre Fred Walker was sent off last Saturday and the coach is hoping he is not suspended and therefore available to play against the Rebels. Killarney has played two games against the Rebels this season.

In the historic first game between Killarney and the new Rebels club, Killarney won 50-10 and just secured victory in the second game 30-28 without four of its stars, Michael Marshall, Chris McGregor, Adam Upton and Dion Galloway.

All are available for play on Saturday.

Killarney is currently in fourth place but Bryant is still hopeful his club can finish third and win the right to host the minor semi final against Texas in late August.

Bryant has allocated the number 6 jersey this week to second rower Ken Stoneman.

Stoneman is the number one fan of Brisbane Broncos five-eighth Darren Lockyer and has been promised the five-eighth jersey on the proviso he doesn’t resort to long cut-out passes or the chip and chase like his favourite player.

It is unlikely Stoneman will play five-eighth as the coach reckons he is better suited to the second row. The game on Saturday is at 2.30pm.