BOGGABRI will be out to exact some revenge tomorrow when they return to the ground that ended their season last year as Second Division resumes following the long weekend.
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The Roos will be looking to get the hop on Kootingal this time, following a preliminary final loss to the Roosters last year.
Kooty were minor premiers and went on to lift the Shield at Werris Creek the following week, although this season the Roos might have the upper hand on the premiers if early- season form is a guide.
Boggabri have been one of the form teams early in the season and are sitting in third, three points behind leaders Uralla, who they have beaten, and two points shy of Dungowan.
Kootingal are sitting in fifth but are just two points behind Boggy and fourth-placed Werris Creek as the premiers continue to build their side after up to 15 premiership players left in the off season.
The Roosters have recently benefited from the return of premiership-winning captain coach Nathan Hamlin, who will add plenty to the pack after the hard-running backrower toyed with the idea of retirement and a return to rugby union before pulling the tri-colours back on two rounds ago.
In other matches, Uralla will look to extend their lead with a clash against cellar dwellers Bundarra, while Werris Creek will host the second-last placed Wee Waa and Dungowan will have the bye.
Round six of the Plate will witness three great match-ups in the lower tier of the division.
Walcha will be looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season when they go on the road to Bingara, after Manilla pipped the Roos by two points to go top of the table last round.
The Tigers will be out to extend their slim one-point lead when they meet the dangerous Quirindi Grasshoppers at home led by barnstorming captain-coach Chris Vidler.
Quirindi are sitting in third only one point in front of Bingara, as only four points separate the top four teams as the clubs start to jostle for top spots and home semi-finals.
Following a poor start to the season, Barraba will be out to make a point when they host the last-placed Bendemeer after the Bulldogs stood down coach Mark Austin following an incident after their last-round match against neighbours Bingara.
Secretary Jacob Hawley has said the remainder of this season would be about rebuilding the club’s brand after some sponsors and supporters began to fall off the wagon.
“We didn’t have much of a choice at the time and took a gamble with someone from out of town and it didn’t pay off,” Hawley said.
“We are just focusing on getting the club and its reputation back on track.
“We need to get the club and its support back to what it was before we start to think about finals,” he said.
Hawley is confident the club can quickly turn its season around, with a few former premiership winners and old faces already strapping the boots on and returning to action in the Bulldogs’ time of need.
All Second Division matches will kick off at 2.30pm, with the league tag girls starting play at 1.30pm.
