KOOTINGAL Roosters return to full strength for today’s Group 4 Second Division clash with Barraba Bulldogs at Kootingal Oval.
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The Roosters, captain-coached by Nathan Hamlin, lead the G4 Second Division but provide a “good” problem for Hamlin.
He’s had to “drop” six players to run on his number one side today.
It’s a time of year where he will be wanting to play his best so he can have them match-fit for the finals but also mindful of keeping his bench happy and with some game time.
“We’ve got the big four coming up,” Hamlin said.
“Barraba, Werris Creek, Walcha and then Dungowan. We want to be at our best for those.”
What he might do for the following two weeks against Quirindi and Uralla is to maybe “rest” some of his key players and rotate some of his bench men to give them game time as well.
Next week’s game against Werris Creek could also go a long way to deciding the minor premiership and maybe even the premiership itself.
It’s a game Werris Creek coach Lindsay Bowne is also mindful of as his Magpies head to a dangerous clash with Quirindi in a local derby at Quirindi Sportsground today.
“They’re two big games for us,” Bowne said.
“We can’t take the Grasshoppers lightly.”
His side has started to play better for longer periods in recent weeks and started well in their 28-22 win over Dungowan last week.
The Cowboys finished strongly and sit just two points adrift of the top two as they prepare for a home game against Walcha Roos today before heading to the North Tamworth Bowling Club for tonight’s Black Tie Ball in aid of the Men Of League.
Andrew Thomas started off the bench for Dungowan last week and, after a few days of R&R in Grafton this week, hopes to make a difference off the bench for Luke Taylor and the Cowboys at Dungowan Recreation Reserve today.
“They (Werris Creek) out- enthused us in the first half,” Thomas said of the six-point loss at David Taylor Park.
“We fell off a few tackles.
“They deserved their win but we made a few mistakes every time we got back into it (after scoring a try). “
Young winger Harry Altus suffered a shoulder injury while Zander Smith played well, moving from the centres to half to play for an absent Matt Wilson.
Wilson should be back today and will be a key pivot.
In other G4 Second Division games today, Boggabri hosts Bendemeer at Jubilee Oval, Boggabri and the battle of the Tigers takes place at Manilla Showground between the Manilla and Uralla Tigers.
