SCOTT Blanch might be the best player in the Group 4 competition.
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That’s the assessment of Bears coach Brad McManus of the versatile Blanch, who raced in three tries against Oxley Diggers last Sunday after starting the game at halfback.
He has played various positions for the Bears and Greater Northern over the past two seasons, alternating between hooker and five-eighth for the GN tigers and playing five-eighth initially for the Bears before moving to hooker and then halfback last Sunday.
“Kieran Fisher was suspended,” McManus said after his side’s 46-4 win over the Diggers.
“Blanchie slotted in, no worries. He is versatile.
“He’s great out of dummy half as well because he’s so quick off the mark.
“He might be the best player in the division. If not, he’s right up with the best.”
The modest farmer is just glad to be playing with a good bunch of mates.
He was delighted with the chance to play halfback but knows its only a fleeting thing with Fisher due back next week.
On Sunday he crossed for three tries to take his season’s tally to nine, just four behind West Lions’ Sam Taylor.
He’s also well in the running for the Group 4 Best and Fairest Award with six points, just two points behind leader, Gunnedah’s Hayden Smith.
He also believes the Bears are in a good spot.
“The boys are playing well,” he said on Sunday.
The Bears’ defence was almost watertight, allowing the Diggers to sneak in a blindside try late in the game.
They will be up against a far greater threat on Sunday when they host the Gunnedah Bulldogs.
The Baby Bulldogs are coming off a 72-10 win over Armidale Rams in Armidale and possess some attacking weapons such as Smith and former Bear, Callum Hayne.
Hayne crossed for five tries last Sunday while Smith scored three tries and booted eight goals in a 28-point haul.
That Blanch will directly oppose Hayne makes for one of the individual tussles of the day.
It shows the club is in a good state,” McManus said.
“It shows we have good depth here.”