Burleigh Bears are gearing up to face one of the toughest challenges of their season in this weekend's preliminary final against Redcliffe Dolphins, and will need two of their key attacking weapons to be on song if they are to progress to this year's decider.
Try-scoring wingers Alofiana Khan-Pereira and Tony Francis have both been named for the do-or-die clash on Saturday at Moreton Daily Stadium and have both played key roles in helping the Bears finish the regular season as minor premiers.
Match: Dolphins v Bears
Finals Week 3 -
home Team
Dolphins
3rd Position
away Team
Bears
1st Position
Venue: Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe
Khan-Pereira - who made his Hostplus Cup debut last year, playing just the one game - has been a revelation in the competition this season, scoring 25 tries in his 18 appearances this year.
Also part of the Gold Coast Titans squad, the young winger spoke earlier in the season about his how much he enjoyed playing footy with the Bears.
"(The feeling at the Bears is) awesome. Obviously, I train at Titans all week and bring back what I've learnt back to the Burleigh Bears," Khan-Pereira said.
"The feeling is awesome, feeling is great, winning is awesome... especially with some of my mates."
On the opposite wing for much of this season has been Khan-Pereira's friend Francis, who played with the Bears in the Hastings Deering Colts last season.
Francis was also part of the Titans squad this year, training with the NRL side and playing in Cup during the season.
"It's my first season in Cup... it's hard, fast, but I'm enjoying it," Francis said when asked about his experience earlier this year.
"Last year I was playing 20s and it's a big step up. I'm enjoying it. Loving it.
"Titans training is really good. You learn off so many boys. You see them every week, performing. You just want to learn off them and get to their level one day.
"Especially in my position, I try to learn off Philip Sami, Corey Thompson, Isaako now. (I am always) trying to learn off them. Even when I fill in a centres, I learn off BK (Brian Kelly) and Esan (Marsters).
"I learn off a lot of the boys. Even if they're forwards, I learn off them. It's pretty good.
"Every training I do, I take in as much as I can and take it back to Burleigh. Go forward from there."
While he has been an attacking strike weapon this year, Khan-Pereira said there were areas of his game he wanted to work on, especially his defence, and like Francis, has found plenty of players to learn from at the Titans.
"I think my defence can be better, well obviously everything can be better, but the one key for myself is defence and reading it better," Khan-Pereira said.
"At Titans... (I learn from) all the backs like Brian Kelly, Jayden Campbell.
"Me and Jayden have been very good friends since we were young. He's given me a few pointers here and there."
Both backs have family members who also play rugby league, with Francis - who is one of seven siblings - having a sister who may one day aspire to join the club's NRLW side.
"(My) little brother plays footy at Beaudesert, older brother plays union at Souths and little sister starting to play league now as well at Waterford," Francis said.
"Seeing my sister play - she's always tried to fill in with the boys, trying to play with us... seeing her play and enjoy herself is good to see.
"Hopefully one day she gets to play in the NRLW."
