BARRABA and Walcha might have lost their premiership hopes but both will be playing for “fun” and maybe to dislodge a few premiership aspirations.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Walcha Roos gave premiership leaders Kootingal Roosters a mighty scare last week despite the 48-18 loss while Barraba Bulldogs beat Manilla Tigers 46-10.
“We might not be able to make the semis but we’ll be playing for fun,” Barraba secretary Jacob Hawley said after his stint at prop in the 36-point win.
“We’ve got Bendy, Uralla and Werris Creek to finish, all at home and we’d like to win all three.”
With the return of coach Tim Coombes and Adam Russell, the Bulldogs will be close to full strength for the Mountain Men today.
Then wins against Uralla and Werris Creek would top off a season that promised plenty but has been ravaged by injury and work commitments.
It has seen the emergence of young players such as Kieran Darlington and Ty Fairweather though.
Beating Werris Creek at home would put a huge dent in the Magpies’ hopes in the final round.
They are locked with Dungowan Cowboys on 24 points entering today’s round of matches.
Their final home game of the season is a big charity day against Manilla Tigers today for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
The Magpies have a special strip emblazoned with a chopper and in black, white and yellow colours.
It’s also sponsors’ day at Kootingal Oval where the competition-leading Roosters tackle Dungowan Cowboys in a massive top-of-the-table clash while the Walcha Roos are lying in wait for the Boggabri Kangaroos at Captain Cook Park, Walcha.
The Walcha side looked quite capable of knocking over the Roosters for 56 minutes of last Saturday’s game when they were locked 18-all and attacking the Rooster line.
However a failure to convert their chances cost dearly as the Roosters ripped into top gear through lock Andrew Moodie and centre Jeremy York.
The effort was a good pointer to future successes for a youngish Roos.
“There’s only about five of us over 25,” Walcha lock Lachlan Brown said.
“All the rest are young.”
The likes of Dean Kelly, Corey Jamieson, Lee Harrison and Ben Moran ensure the Roos will pose plenty of problems for opposing sides in the future.
That will be as early as today, with the Boggabri Roos aiming for a top two finish if they continue winning and both Dungowan and Werris Creek falter.
In the final G4 Second Division, match Uralla are at home to Quirindi.
