If you are looking for a football game to watch this weekend, here it is. Boggabri versus Werris Creek.
The equal-fourth-placed Boggabri Kangaroos at home on Jubilee Oval up against the third-placed Werris Creek Magpies.
Just a point separates the two sides.
With four rounds remaining just two points separates Kootingal, Werris Creek, North Tamworth and Boggabri. They are chasing runaway and unbeaten competition leaders Moree who are almost assured of the minor premiership and the home major semi-final.
That leaves the other four fighting for three semi-final spots, a trip to Moree or the possibility of a home Minor Semi-Final.
For Boggabri the home game is followed by the bye, a trip to Moree and then a final round home game against Dungowan.
Werris Creek follows Saturday’s game at Boggabri with a home game against Moree, trip to Dungowan and a home game against North Tamworth to complete their home season.
It’s a tough run for the Magpies and tough is how he describes his side’s trip to Boggabri on Saturday.
“We are expecting a tough game,” said Dave Stewart.
“It always is out there.”
Stewart Has always rated the Kangaroos too, right from the opening round.
“I picked them as a top four side from that first round (at Gunnedah),” he said.
“They looked real good out there. We certainly rate them, we’ll do what we need to do and be ready to go.”
He said the Magpies will be at full strength for the first time this season.
“Apart from the long term injuries to Zac (Leonard) and Kierin (Williams) of course,” he said.
“Everyone else is fit, fresh and ready to go.”
It’s a good position for Stewart and his Magpies.
He said the likes of Joash Boney, Kaidyn Saunders and Wes Riley have been great additions to the side.
“Joash has probably been our most consistent player all year,” he said.
“Wes has been great. Kaidyn is a big body and loves the physical stuff. He’s got good experience too.”
Saunders will need that physicality if the Roos bring the first half of their game against Kootingal to the park.
They shut Kootingal out of the first half at Kootingal last Saturday, leading 16-nil before throwing away a 24-6 lead to lose 34-32 in golden point extra time.
It was an extraordinary game, and an amazing fightback by Kooty.
Boggabri coach Shane Rampling was stunned by the loss and while disappointed with the second half capitulation believes the Roos can bounce back.
“We’ve moved on,” he said of the loss.
‘We’re ready for the Creek. The boys are up for it. We’re disappointed we lost and disappointed with the performance but we’ve talked about earlier this week and we are ready to go. We controlled the game in the first half last week and that’s what we are looking for again. Just got to sustain that first half for the full game.”
Rampling welcomes back Ash White, Jake Byrne and Jay Urquhart but will be without Aaron Hobden (neck niggle) and Epeli Vulaserau.
“We’re looking forward to a big day,” he said.
“It’s our Old Boys Day and we’ll have a lot of support there.
“It’s also a four-point game for us. We have the bye after this weekend so it makes it a big game. We were also unlucky to lose to the Creek down there in the first round (22-20) so we want to overturn that result.”
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