TAMWORTH’S open mixed and 40s men’s are hoping to be up there and in the running at this weekend’s Oztag Senior State Cup at Fairy Meadow, and are a good chance of that.
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The opens are aiming to make the play-offs at the least.
It would be something of a first for the (Tamworth) open mixed side and coach Mick Schmiedel said he’d be disappointed if they didn’t with the side he’s got and their preparation.
“We’ve got no excuses,” Schmiedel said.
In past years they’ve fallen down in fitness and staying in the game, but he isn’t expecting that to be the case this weekend.
“I think we’re shaping up well,” he said.
They’ve had some good training runs and have done well against the 40s men, even beating them the last couple of times they’ve played.
That’s nothing to be scoffed at.
“They’ve got some good players,” Schmiedel said.
The big difference he felt this year is probably the women. They’re probably a bit stronger.
“All our girls have got something to offer,” Schmiedel said.
He mentioned the likes of Tiffany Walsh who made the Australian Barbarians (Australia A) side.
Mandy Sullivan and Cassandra Wendt have also got very good ball skills, he said, while Jamie Craigie is a very good ball runner. As far as the men Brett Cloake and Tim Walsh are good ball players, Schmiedel said.
He said Damien Wendt is also very clever with the ball and has a smart kicking game.
They’ve also got Steve Corbett, who has made the Australian side the past few years.
Schmiedel expects their defence to be a strength.
“Defence will be what wins it (games),” he said.
“They don’t miss many tags.”
Their first game is against St George at 6.30pm tonight.
“They’re one of the big guns,” Schmiedel said.
“We’ll know after that where we’re
sitting.”
