Moving to a new town can be tough but Armidale junior Scott McGann has made a seamless transition into the Tamworth Thunderbolts lineup this season.
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The 18-year-old made the move to Tamworth this year to link up with the city’s State League Men’s Division 1 side and has played 10 out of 11 games for the Thunderbolts in 2017.
The switch has proved a fruitful one with Tamworth sitting on top of the Waratah League ladder but McGann hadn’t always envisioned it to be so smooth.
“I was expecting it to be harder, with the rivalry between Armidale and Tamworth,” McGann said.
“But the boys and [coach] John [Ireland] have made it [the move and settling in] really comfortable.”
The welcoming nature shown to McGann – who plays mainly as a power forward – is a perfect example of what the team is about.
The Thunderbolts’ ability to come together has helped the team become a formidable force with just the one loss in 2017.
That, along with the commitment shown, is what McGann believes has seen Tamworth flourish.
“Everyone’s effort really,” McGann said when asked what the secret to the side’s success was.
“Everyone’s bought in and we’re all committed and putting in the effort.
“We all get on really well and John’s been telling me this is the team that has gelled the most.”
This Saturday, the Thunderbolts will be out to continue their four-game winning streak when they take on the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Spiders.
The Spiders enter the match with just the one win to their name and the task is made all the more harder with the Thunderbolts hosting the fixture at the Tamworth Sports Dome.
The match will start an important month for the Thunderbolts as they look to clinch a spot in the top four.
It will be the first of three home games in a row for the Thunderbolts.
After those fixtures, the Thunderbolts will hit the road for three of their last four games of the season.
McGann said the team grows an extra leg at home which makes these games all the more vital.
“It’s really great playing in front of a home crowd, it gives us a lot of energy and helps us get up in those close games,” McGann said.
“Having the home crowd will help us a lot and [playing well in] these three games will help secure a spot in the top four.”
The match will be played at the Tamworth Sports Dome at 6pm this Saturday.
Entry is $5 for adults and $2 for children aged 17 and under.