WERRIS Creek Magpies will need to protect the nest from the attacking Bulldogs this afternoon if they are any chance of keeping their share of top spot on the Second Division table.
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The Magpies are sharing top billing with last year’s finalists Kootingal and Dungowan, with all only dropping one game each, to each other.
Dungowan beat Kooty, Kooty beat Creek, and Creek beat Dungowan, but this weekend Creek will almost definitely need to rack up the two points to stay with the others.
Magpies coach Lindsay Bowne knows his side has a tough task at home.
“We went into cruise control after the first half,” Bowne said of the recent victory over Bendemeer where the Maggies led 28-6 but trailed in the second half before refiring to win 38-36.
“We came out in neutral in the second half,” Bowne said.
“We can’t do that against Barraba.
“They will be tough after a good win over Uralla.”
The return of prop Thomas Browne and lock Beau Parry is a big boost for the home side too.
Barraba will travel with a much fuller roster than they had at Uralla a fortnight ago, looking to forge their way into the top four.
Premiers Dungowan will travel to winless Manilla, while Kooty will head to Uralla, who are also languishing near the bottom of the table after a luckless return to the competition from Group 19.
Uralla have notched up a couple of wins and can be dangerous in patches but should be outgunned by the Roosters’ mobile pack and tidy finishers out wide.
Kooty will not only be desperate to get on the field after a forfeit and a bye has left them sidelined since the Dungowan loss three weeks ago, but also to get back on their home ground.
Captain-coach Nathan Hamlin will return from injury and is looking forward to seeing his squad back in action.
“We will be back to full strength this weekend for the first time this season,” Hamlin said.
“I was disappointed with the way we performed at Dungowan so want to show the fans what we can do.”
With Matt McCulloch also back from injury, Josh Crittenden will play at fullback, Ben Williams will move back into the halves from lock, Jeremy York into the centres and utility Andrew Moodie will play lock.
On paper, the Roosters have class across the board, although the skipper isn’t getting ahead of himself after a grand final upset last season.
“We are just taking it one game at a time,” Hamlin said.
“Our defence has been good but, with everyone back, I am looking for more structure in our attack.”
Behind Kooty, Dungowan and Creek are Boggabri, sitting in clear fourth.
The Roos will host the battling Quirindi Grasshoppers and should have them covered, while the other Roos, Walcha, will come down the mountain to Bendemeer.
The Mountain Men are leading the Roos by only two for and against points in equal sixth and, with only three wins each under their belts, the two points up for grabs could prove crucial as the round marks the halfway point of the season.
