For three seasons, station hand Tom O’Neill has put down roots that have kept him working on a property near Tamworth while causing carnage opening the bowling for South Tamworth.
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At age 34 and with a lengthy resume of former clubs from Dalby to Scone, the paceman hopes to stay put at least long enough for his daughter, Alexandra, to finish high school here. She is in Year 6.
And on Saturday he hopes to play a pivotal role in righting South Tamworth’s premiership campaign after an outright loss to Bective East last round, with Souths facing West Tamworth in the penultimate round before the semi-finals.
Reigning premiers Old Boys appear to have a lock on the minor premiership, but only 10.4 points separate last-placed Bective and third-placed Souths. While 15.9 points separate second-placed Wests and Bective. The top four, as such, is still very much undecided.
On Saturday, day one of a two-dayer at No.1 Oval, Souths will face a Wests side who also lost outright last round. Although Wests’ loss was the result of a bold declaration after they had secured first innings points, and a superb City chase.
O’Neill described the Bective loss as a “hiccup”. “I think we’ve been playing pretty good,” he said. “We just need to put it together on the day.”
In O’Neill, Souths have a bowler at the peak of his powers at a time when most quicks are on the wain. He debuted for NSW Country at the national country championships in January, after dedicating himself in recent years to getting fitter. The Bush Blues – featuring Souths gloveman Tom Groth – won he final.
“It [Bush Blues selection] was a dangling carrot there,” O’Neill said. “I just had to perform to try and get there.”
In a way, that is applicable to Souths’ quest for another premiership. They have lost the past five grand finals.
O’Neill is optimistic that will change this season: “I honestly believe we’ve got the team that can win the comp. They’re such a good bunch of fellas to play with as well.”