ROBB College could be excused for having some trepidation about going to Guyra today.
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The memories of the students’ last visit are still fresh.
Sure they got the got the win, but conditions were horrible – cold and alternating between sleep and snow.
Today should be a bit nicer but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be any easier.
Especially after Guyra picked up its first win for the season last week.
Not that the result surprised Robb too much. Co-coach Sam Ditchfield warned after the last game about taking the Ghosts too lightly.
“It’ll be a tough game,” Ditchfield said.
“They’ve improved for playing some footy since last time we played.”
That was only the Ghosts’ second game, as it was theirs, although as Ditchfield pointed out, they had had a bit more time together.
Robb heads in on a high after beating college rivals St Albert’s twice in the last two weeks but has had to quickly refocus.
“We’ve been concentrating on Albies and the way Albies play footy,” Ditchfield said.
That is quite different to the Ghosts.
“They’ll be a lot bigger side than what we are,” Ditchfield said.
It’s men against boys and, while a lot of the things that they’ve been doing against Albies will still work for them, they most importantly have to match it with the Ghosts physically.
“We need to be better in the set pieces,” Ditchfield said.
“Guyra is a big side and will be very good in the set pieces.”
From the indications last week, their midfield defence will have to be very good.
The students have had to make a couple of changes.
Hooker Ben Emery is out with a broken thumb and they’ve also had to find a new half-back after the half-back they had quit uni this week.
Hugh Jones will replace him.
He’s been regularly getting the points in second grade.
Joe Melino also comes in after missing last week at five-eighth.
Ditchfield said they can’t take anything out of that first game.
“That game and result doesn’t mean anything,” he said.
The conditions didn’t allow either side to really show their hand.
In the other game, Albies tackle Barbarians.