NARRABRI haven’t had the start to the Group 4 season that they were after, although with a top team on paper and improving results, West Lions won’t be taking any chances with them tomorrow at Scully Park.
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Blues captain coach Lachie Cameron said the players had been letting themselves down with ball control this season, although after holding premiers North Tamworth to a 14-6 loss last weekend, the skipper is hoping the side can keep improving, with a home semi-final still the goal for the fourth- placed side.
Boasting players like Jake Rumsby, Shannon Swan, Daniel Howe, Sam Sadler, Kylu Brown and a few others puts the Blues’ roster right up there, although the side might have been guilty of under-performing in some games this season.
This was highlighted two rounds ago with a loss to Gunnedah, although Cameron believes the team is beginning to come together and a close loss to the benchmark Bears last week could herald the return of the Blues.
“We took a big step backwards in that game against Gunnedah,” Cameron said.
“We have got some new blood in the side and are getting close to being able to field our strongest team.”
Lions coach Shane Rampling knows how dangerous Narrabri could be if they get their combinations going and a bit of momentum, although the Lions are also still building into their season.
The halves combination of Sam Taylor and Chris Hunt has been firing, the pair orchestrating the second-half hiding of Armidale last week and scoring six tries between them along the way.
“Sam and Chris are class players who can take control and win games,” Rampling said.
“Narrabri will be tough and we won’t be taking them lightly with the players they are getting back on deck.”
“We just have to be patient and do the hard yards first.”
The Lions always play an attacking brand of football, although Rampling wants the side to lay the platform first before unleashing their playmakers, big centres and flyers out wide.
With the club flush with centres this season, former captain coach Phil Beaton has moved to the front row and is relishing the new position alongside Lewis Dempsey who impressed last week and, with Tom Hine and Mitch Dening returning this week, the Lions pack will be even stronger.
“We don’t mind chancing our arm but we have to go forward first,” Rampling said.
In other Group 4 games, North Tamworth will host a local derby against the Oxley Diggers, while Gunnedah will brave the frosty conditions with a trip to Armidale.
