FOLLOWING a powerhouse performance in Saturday’s minor semi-final win at Boggabri, Kangaroos prop Heath McIlveen claimed the 32-22 victory over Dungowan was one of their best performances in recent memory.
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Boggabri fought back from a 16-point deficit on the back of a relentless effort in the middle from their big men on a hot day at Jubilee Oval.
“Thank god for unlimited interchange,” McIlveen said.
The Roos bench was going like a turnstile as the forwards were being recycled and holes in the backs patched up.
One of a few big front-rowers, McIlveen and fellow run- on prop Jay Urquhart have been the driving force behind the Roos’ first finals appearance in two decades and, once again, led from the front as the home side gathered momentum and ran away with the match in the back end.
Although it was all Dungowan’s game early on.
“I think they had the ball for thirty minutes in that first half,” McIlveen said.
“We had a game plan from the start and knew we had to stick to it.”
“We just had to keep hitting it up in the middle and go forward.
“That is what we have been doing all season.”
Skipper Mitchell Campbell, prop Matt Launders, second rower Robert Jones and lock Boyde Campbell all had plenty of big carries and stopped the Cowboys attack going forward with some committed defence.
The Roos had been concentrating on their defence all week but, after the Cowboys scored 22 points in under 15 minutes, the vocal crowd had cause for concern.
They needn’t have though as that was the only points the premiers would score all day.
The Roos’ line speed picked up to shut down playmakers Matt Wilson and Shaun Ferguson as their own backs hit their straps and started to find some gaps out wide.
“We looked at shutting down Wilson and Ferguson this week and I think we did a good job in the end,” McIlveen said.
“I haven’t felt the team like that for a long time.”
“It’s the best feeling of the season so far.”
Captain Mitchell Campbell was so confident in the Roos’ game that he backed them to finish the job in the final minutes rather than have a shot at goal.
Leading 26-22, the Roos were awarded another penalty for ill-discipline 20 metres out but instead of taking the safe two points to go a converted try in front, the Roos opted to kick for touch.
Jayde Campbell repaid the faith, crashing over on the second tackle to ensure the victory and send a warning to Kootingal and Werris Creek that the Kangaroos are ready to play.
“We just keep doing it for each other,” McIlveen said.
“We can match anyone in the comp if we stick to our plan.”
The Roos will meet the loser of Kootingal and Werris Creek’s major semi-final clash on Saturday.