With finals football secured last week, Dubbo Macquarie’s aim on Sunday is to create momentum and prepare for a tilt at the Group 11 premiership.
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Last week’s win over Forbes guaranteed a place in the post-season, leaving the camp in a positive mood heading into the final round match against the Narromine Jets.
But with the Jets needing a win to be any chance of playing in the finals, Raiders prop Dylan Hill knows Sunday’s match will be anything but simple.
“We know it’s going to be a tough game and Narromine are playing for their season,” he said, before speaking about his side’s need to take momentum into the finals.
“It’s something we’ve spoken about and we’ve got to aim up now because we want to be competing for the championship.
“If we can get the win it will be a massive confidence boost.”
Depending on other results, a win for Macquarie could potentially catapult them into second position behind minor premiers CYMS.
That would guarantee the Raiders a second bite of the cherry should they lose in the opening week of the finals.
“We’re aiming for that but we’ve got to focus on the game against Narromine,” Hill said.
“Hopefully we can get the result and finish in second and then have a really good crack in the finals.”
With Narromine sure to throw everything but the kitchen sink at them on Sunday, the Raiders are boosted by the fact they are virtually unchanged from last round.
After a stack of injuries during the season the Steve McLellan-coached side is now virtually full strength.
Hill is one of the players who missed a large chunk of the season through injury and he will start on the bench on Sunday, alongside fellow big bopper Kini Tanaulucavu and the versatile duo of Steven Leask and Damien Wells.
Etuate Gusuivalu and Josh Merritt will again direct the side around in the halves, with the latter’s left-hand edge combination with second-rower Wade Peachey and centre Rowan Orcher one of the most destructive in the competition.
The Raiders backs, featuring the likes of Ash Widders and Mason Williams, are expected to play a key role, with Narromine’s strength being a physical forward pack.
Captain-coach Luke Thompson leads the way while Alex Sambrook is also a hard-worker and another who sets play up for electric halfback Daryl Cubby and centre Corey Cox.
Cubby is the third-leading try-scorer in the competition with 19 for the season, one behind CYMS’ Kieran Cubby-Shipp and two behind leader Ben Maguire of Forbes.
Sunday’s fixtures at Cale Oval begins with the League Tag at 11am while the first grade will kick-off at 2.30pm.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
