The Thunder's pre-season preparations step up a gear this weekend, with Youth Grade playing Woonona in the first round of the Fernhill Cup and First Grade taking on Kirrawee Kangaroos in a trial at Kareela Oval on Sunday.

The following weekend will see the Thunder again travel to the Sutherland Shire, with First Grade playing State Cup winners Lilli Pilli and Youth Grade meeting U21s champions Menai Hawks in a double-header at Kareela Oval on Sunday, February 12.

First Grade are then scheduled to play Balgownie in the opening round of the Fraternity Pre-Season Cup on Friday, February 17, followed by matches against Wests and Fernhill.

Youth Grade's tough pre-season preparations continue when they play Port Kembla in round two of the Fernhill Cup on Monday, February 20 ahead of their final pool match against Wests on Saturday, February 25.

The full schedule of pre-season matches so far is below:

Saturday, February 4
FERNHILL CUP - Youth Grade v Woonona at 1.30pm at Ray Robinson Field, Fernhill

Sunday, February 5
TRIAL - First Grade v Kirrawee Kangaroos at 5pm at Kareela Oval

Sunday, February 12
TRIAL - Youth Grade v Menai Hawks at 3.30pm at Kareela Oval
TRIAL - First Grade v Lilli Pilli at 5.30pm at Kareela Oval

Friday, February 17
FRATERNITY CUP - First Grade v Balgownie at 6.30pm at Crehan Park, Cringilla

Monday, February 20
FERNHILL CUP - Youth Grade v Port Kembla at 5.40pm at Ray Robinson Field, Fernhill

Saturday, February 25
FERNHILL CUP - Youth Grade v Wests at 11am at Ray Robinson Field, Fernhill

Sunday, February 26
FRATERNITY CUP - First Grade v Wests at 1.30pm at Memorial Park, Corrimal

Sunday, March 5
FRATERNITY CUP - First Grade v Fernhill at 1.30pm at Wetherall Park, Primbee