''TURN up ready to play or get your pants pulled down''. Those are the words of warning from Hermit Park coach Barry Gibson to his players as they today prepare to continue one of the closest seasons of the AFL Townsville premiership against Thuringowa.

After seven rounds, barely anything can separate the top three teams of the competition.

There has been an average of just 10 points between winning and losing when Hermit Park, Thuringowa and University have gone head-to-head across seven games so far.

''It's exciting from a coaching point of view because you know that it's that close, that if you get it right ... you're a red-hot chance of winning,'' Gibson said.

''Usually there's always one team that's taken off from the start and won their first seven or eight games ... but this year, I say to my group every week, 'if you don't come ready to play, you're going to have your pants pulled down'.

''Come ready and you're a real chance.''

As tight as it is, though, there is no question the Bulldogs are the kings of the close out.

They have lost just one game  an after-the-siren thriller  to lead the AFL and Gibson conceded they are the bench mark.

With Thuringowa's big and physical style being used superbly to their advantage, the first-season Tigers A-grade coach said it was up to themselves and University to adapt their games to find a way to beat the 'Dogs.

''They have got a really good ingredient this year and I think that's why they're sitting on top of the ladder,'' Gibson said.

First bounce at Tony Ireland Stadium is 3pm.

In the other game, Curra host University on Muldoon Oval from 2pm.