NORTH Tamworth are taking the opportunity to start their season over, beginning Sunday when they host Narrabri and take the field for the first time in a month.
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A bye, a general bye and the opening of Scully Park have caged the Bears, who had only dropped one game so far and are sharing the top of the table with rivals West Lions although, surprisingly, have played one more match.
Captain-coach Zac Russ said that while the break had been frustrating, the club had decided to use it as a fresh start to the season.
“It’s been hard to keep the interest up for so long,” Russ said.
“We decided to be a bit more flexible with training and let the players spend more time with their families.”
“More or less start the season again and make a run from here to the finals.”
Russ is trying to shake any rust out of the premiers by giving them an extra run tomorrow morning, as well as the usual session last night.
Two positives that come out of the extended break are that the Bears will come in at full strength, and the other is that they haven’t had to play as many games without their Greater Northern Tigers stars.
Both sides have players planning on backing up from the AAMI Tier 2 Country Championship final against Riverina in Mudgee tomorrow, Blues captain coach Lachie Cameron and Bears duo Shane-Leigh Wadwell and Scott Blanch just some of the Tigers side that are backing up across the three groups.
“We are going to play that by ear but if they are right they will play,” Russ said.
“Lachie (Cameron) is whole- hearted and leads the side so I am sure he is the same.”
The Bears will keep an eye on the skipper, although the Blues backs are much improved this season and Russ knows that they need to be shut down early.
New recruits Dylon Walford and Jamie Sampson add plenty to a backline that already includes halfback Justin Knight and flyers Ben Tupou and Jed Smith.
“Narrabri are pretty good across the park,” Russ said.
“We are going to have to start well and not fall asleep.”
The skipper said the Bears’ biggest concern had been consistency before the break.
“We played a near perfect game against Gunnedah and then were disgraceful against Oxley Diggers the next,” Russ said.
The premiers put on a clinic to demolish Gunnedah 90-nil at Kitchener Park, and are looking to find that form again and hold it for the rest of the season.
“Wests have set the standard and anyone can beat anyone this year,” Russ said.
“We have to keep moving forward and play good footy.”
“If we do that, the rest will look after itself.”
