RUGBY LEAGUE: After a more-than-handy fortnight off, the Wattles A-grade side will step out on to Clive Berghofer Stadium at 2.30pm tomorrow to begin in earnest its defence of the premiership title.

Coach Luke Duggan has named an 18-man squad, which will be trimmed tomorrow morning to the final 17 to run on against the Gatton Hawks.

The Hawks claimed the scalp of the Highfields Eagles last Sunday in the qualifying final.

A win in tomorrow's qualifying semi-final will mean the Warriors cruise into their second grand final in as many years but it certainly won't be a "gimme". Enjoying a break last weekend as reward for finishing minor premiers, coach Duggan is happy a few niggling injuries have been addressed.

"Among our strengths is the team's balance," Duggan said.

"We have size, skill and mobility in our forward pack, arguably the best halves combination in the competition and speed and natural ability in our backs."

"However, we have to keep our mind on the job for 80 minutes: Gatton keeps coming and can beat anyone in the competition."

Two players key to success against the Hawks are five-eight Brodie Ciesiolka and back-rower Jason Bradfield.

Bradfield has been devastating in recent weeks running wide and will provide the opposition with plenty of concerns as he runs off the likes of front-rower Eugene Seddon and halves Matt Duggan and Brodie Ciesiolka.

Ciesiolka has the ability to sniff out gaps in defence and set up players around him. His speed off the mark and support play has made him one of the top try scorers in the TRL this season.

The loser between Gatton and Wattles will play the winner of Dalby and Highfields next weekend in the preliminary final, but Coach Duggan hopes the Warriors will be resting next weekend in preparation for September 27 season finale.