Brett Jarrett: Cowboys and Roos to do battle on Saturday | Group 4

The 29-year-old physical education teacher at Peel High scored three tries, kicked eight goals and snared the three points in the Group 4 best and fairest award in Dungowan's 52-22 upset at Kootingal.

After spending Easter with his parents down south, Jarrett will lead the Cowboys away to fellow round-one winners Boggabri on Saturday.

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The Kangaroos beat last season's minor premiers Narrabri 40-22 at Jubilee Oval in round one.

"It's going to be a tough one," Jarrett said of Saturday's clash. "[It's] always a tough game out there."

He continued: "It was a great team effort (against Kooty). Hopefully we can kick on from that. We've got a good side.

"Some good young kids like Cody (Byrne), Pat (Lange) and Zac (Parker) - they had good first seasons with us last year.

"Plus we have added quality players like Ryan (Ingram at hooker) and Tex (Lagamiri) out in the centres."

He hopes the Cowboys "continue to gel".

Ladder leaders North Tamworth have the bye this weekend - with the Moree Boars entering the fray, following their first-round bye, when they tackle Werris Creek at home on Saturday.

In the other Saturday match, the Manilla Tigers host Kootingal-Moonbi.

On Sunday, the Narrabri Blues host the Gunnedah Bulldogs in a Dallas Donnelly Cup match.

Moree will go into Saturday's clash without having a trial.

Boars captain-coach Ben Williams is concerned the lack of match practice might have a detrimental effect on his young and new-look side, after they sat out the opening week of the new season with a bye.

One Boars player who will be fit is hooker Cameron Rodgers.

The Moree physiotherapist played in the back-row for the Boars last season but has moved to hooker after last season's outstanding G4 player of the year, Stan Swan, suffered a serious knee injury in pre-season training and will miss all the 2022 season.

"It's unlucky for Stan," Williams said.

The Tigers, meanwhile, will stage their first home game in Group 4's first-grade competition for over two decades when they host the Roosters.

The Tigers returned to first grade at Jack Woolaston Oval two Saturdays back. They trailed 12-10 at halftime but fell 54-14 to a good Bears outfit.

Saturday is Manilla's Old Boys Day and the club will welcome back former Parramatta winger Neville Glover.

"We've got a few old boys coming back for the game," Tigers captain-coach Mitch Doring said. "Neville will also present the jumpers to the boys before the game."

Doring was disappointed with the 40-point loss to the Bears and is confident the Tigers will turn up ready to test the Geoff Sharpe-coached Roosters.

"The score didn't indicate the game," he said of the North encounter. "I thought the boys showed some resilience during the game."

He said that if Manilla "keep a brave face", they will improve and be competitive this year.

Against Kooty, twins Baraki and Barega Knox will play for Manilla after returning from dance commitments, while back-rower Tom Flanders will make his Tigers debut.

"He's come to us from Forster," Doring said of Flanders. "[He] played first grade over there.

"He's unbelievably tall and big. He's also one of the fittest in the side. I'm looking forward to playing with him."

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