DEFENSIVE clout will be the key to Moree Boomerangs' attempts to win the NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Association (NARLA) Knockout in Moree this weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
That's the opinion of Moree Boomerang captain-coach Trevor Tighe.
Tighe said he was delighted with the Boomerangs' defensive display in their 12-10 win over Cherbourg in the St George Aboriginal Knockout recently.
That win came in the semi-final, with Cherbourg a regular winner of the St George event.
The Boomerangs went on to win the final.
"Defence is what will win this knockout for us too," Tighe said
yesterday.
"If we can hold opposition sides in the forwards then we've got the backs to cut loose. We've got pace to burn in the backs."
With the likes of Dallas Brown, Luke Raveneau and Alex Barker on the wings and Ray Berry, Alf Duncan and Mal Peckham in the centres, the Boomerangs have plenty of attacking flair in their 25-man number one squad.
Up front, Tighe said Ben Roberts would give his side plenty of sting in defence.
Roberts scored three tries in the Group 4 major semi-final for the Moree Boars in reserve grade so knows how to attack as well.
"Benny Roberts loves his football and especially when it comes to these knockouts," Tighe said.
"He's a big hitter in defence. When he hits he makes sure blokes feel it.
"But he's also a good attacking player. He's a hard runner and with his height and strength he can pop balls to supports in close."
There are two Aboriginal rugby league knockouts on this weekend with the NARLA Knockout in Moree and the ATSIC-sponsored Charles Perkins Memorial Shield in Sydney at Redfern Oval and Erskineville Oval.
Narwan, who won the NARLA knockout in Armidale last year, will be attending the Sydney knockout after their well -publicised disagreement with NARLA over $47,000 the Eels allege they are owed from last year.
The NARLA knockout in Moree kicks off on Friday night and continues through to Monday with matches played at Taylor Oval and Burt Jovanovich Oval.
Tighe said 36 teams had entered to play in the knockout in Moree.
A number of those are Queensland teams.
Moree Boomerang Rugby League chairman Colin Wells said yesterday that teams from as far north as Townsville had nominated.
"The Queensland teams have entered on an invitation basis on the understanding that while they can win the prizemoney, if they take out the tournament they don't have hosting rights for next year," Wells said.
Narwan Rugby League Football Club president Will Green said yesterday he had received 49 entries for the knockout in Sydney.
MOREE BOOMERANGS (squad for number one side): Warren Sampson, Alex Barker, Ray Berry, Alf Duncan, Dallas Brown, Willy Hammond, Chris Swan, John Craigie, Jade Porter, Ben Roberts, Trevor Tighe c/c, Chris Binge, Marshall Barker, Paul Raveneau, Steve Raveneau, Luke Raveneau, Merv Tighe, Michael Markwood, Mal Peckham, Daniel Wilson, Fred Waters, Dave Briggs, Matt Munro, Craig Urston, Dave Craigie.
