MOREE Bulls centre Alex Corlis has only been at the club this season, but there is one thing he is certain of as they prepare to host Narrabri in the Central North grand final on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“It didn’t take long to find out that there is no love lost between Moree and Narrabri,” Corlis said.
Saturday will be the third match in a row that the Bulls have faced Narrabri, after meeting and beating them in the final round of the regular season and then upsetting them at home in the major semi-final a fortnight ago.
Corlis doesn’t want to get too carried away with those results, although does believe that knowing your enemy can go a long way in finals footy.
“That last game of the season was a bit of a hollow victory for us because they still won the minor premiership,” Corlis said.
“The semi-final was a good win and meant we got a home final which can mean a lot.”
The crafty centre has won a few premierships with Goondiwindi before and adds to the already extensive list of old heads and experience that are part of the Bulls roster.
“We have a good mix of youth and experience which has been good in the lead up.”
“We have had some good solid sessions but needed the week off.”
“It has been non-stop finals footy since we went into tiers.”
For Narrabri that second break never came, although the week off can work with or against sides depending on the situation.
The Blue Boars have a few names returning form injury as well and are playing their cards close to their chest.
“We heard they have some players coming back so don’t know what or who to expect,” Corlis said.
The Bulls defence has a simple theme to it, although they won’t change much after being one of the toughest clubs to score points against this season.
“Narrabri’s attack centres around Matt Schwager.”
“We need to just watch him and cut his time and options down.”
Halfback Schwager is the link between the big bodies up front and the agility and speed of the Blue Boars outside backs.
“The key is to match them at the collision zone and stop that roll early,” Corlis said.
“They have a good counter attack so we won’t be kicking into open space much or turning over ball or they will make us pay.”
“Grand finals are a funny thing so we will just have to see how the game plays out.”
“Hopefully it will be good again.”
