INVERELL Hawks coach Robert Monckton is confident his side can provide Ourimbah with a tough test in their Country Challenge Cup clash in Gorokan today despite organisational problems nearly derailing the Hawk trek this week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
At one stage this week Monckton thought he may not be able to produce a side to make the 5pm kickoff at Morrie Breen Oval.
And at one stage he had two veterans – himself (38) and Harley Johnson (40) – on the bench.
"We were struggling big-time," Monckton said.
"Work commitments and injuries hit us. I rang a lot of blokes but a lot of them didn't want to go."
Monckton couldn't believe the attitude of some players.
"The CRL is paying for a coach and putting us up in $100-a-night rooms," he said.
"It's a great trip for the start of a season."
By Thursday, Monckton's apprehension had cleared somewhat so he could name a 17-man squad, although the 17th man remained himself.
"It's going to test me for all the fitness work I haven't done," he joked.
"But we are going and I will have to play, but we won't kill Harley just yet.
"This is a pretty good side though. Our only problem is the bench may be a little too forward- orientated.
"If we can hold Ourimbah in the forwards though I think we can beat them in the backs.
"We've got to get up in their faces just like we did against Gunnedah.
"The four 20-minute quarters will help us too."
Monckton said the return of Chris Bailey from his two-year stint with West Tigers was a bonus.
Inverell has plenty of speed out wide and a solid pack to be led by Tim McIntyre and featuring the ball-playing skills of Steve Guan and teenage hooker Nick Doig.
INVERELL: 1 Shane Edmonds, 2 Tim Baz, 3 David Kent, 4 Jamie Petrie, 5 Luke Walton, 6 Chris Bailey, 7 Jaye Cook, 8 Tim McIntyre (capt), 9 Nick Doig, 10 Steve Guan, 11 Steve Calman, 12 Matt Ehsman, 13 David Walls, 14 Peter Baz, 15 Allan Taylor, 16 Neil Galvin, 17 Robert Monckton.
