UP until the middle of May, Orange Emus’ flanker Scott Bouffler had no intentions of taking to any sporting field of any kind this Winter.
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Two months on and he’s playing a starring role in an Emus team looking to extend its unbeaten Blowes Clothing Cup run to 11 games against Cowra on Saturday.
“I was dead set on not playing this season,” Bouffler said.
“I didn’t really have the motivation but a lot of guys have come back to the club this year which gave me the itch a bit.
“Living with Clappy (Emus’ second rower Nick Hughes-Clapp), he was coming home from training and games telling me how good it is, so after enough pestering he convinced me to come back about a quarter of the way into the season.”
Bouffler, Emus’ Most Outstanding Player in 2011, was promoted after just two reserve grade games to replace the unavailable Shane Udy and the injured Alo Finau.
WATCH OUR PREVIEW VIDEO OF THE ROUND 15 GAMES:
“I was assuming I’d get dropped cold as soon as those guys came back,” Bouffler said.
“I’m really enjoying it though, it’s always more fun when you play with your mates and at the moment the whole club is very tight-knit.”
Bouffler said, despite being supremely confident, his side is wary of an unpredictable Eagles unit gunning to regain a top five position.
“More than anything we have to nail our set piece, forgive the pun,” the 28-year-old carpenter laughed.
“They’ll be coming to play, from what I hear they’re good with ball in hand. We know we can score points but form counts for nothing if you don’t show up on the day.”
The greens are equal with Dubbo Kangaroos at the top of the ladder but have a much tougher run home, making bonus point wins a necessity to remain a chance of securing the minor premiership.
Bouffler said a big win on Emus’ Ladies Day tomorrow is the perfect place to start.
“Forget rugby, I keep getting told I’m waitering topless ... I guess someone likes what they see,” he joked.
“Seriously though, that definitely isn’t happening. I’m completely focused on helping the boys grab a win.”
Kick-off is 3.15pm at Endeavour Oval.
ORANGE EMUS: 1 Nas Havealeta, 2 Tom Goolagong, 3 Brent Braithwaite, 4 Nick Hughes-Clapp, 5 Alo Finau, 6 Andrew Cosgrove, 7 Scott Bouffler, 8 Rob Thorburn, 9 TJ Cunynghame, 10 Adam Perri, 11 Carter Hirini, 12 Simon Badgery, 13 Nigel Staniforth (c), 14 Tom Green, 15 Tim Alison.
