Saturday’s Blowes Clothing Cup qualifying semi-final between the Dubbo Kangaroos and Forbes Platypi will come down to desperation.
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Which ever side is more desperate to advance to the preliminary final against minor premiers Orange Emus during the 80 minutes at Grinsted Oval will do so.
That’s how Roos coach Dan Armitage is approaching the contest.
The third-placed Roos travel to Forbes to take on the second-placed Platypi during the first weekend of the Blowes finals series.
The sides only met once this season and Forbes won 20-12, but only a Platypi try inside the final minute made the result certain and Armitage expects an equally tight contest this time out.
“It’s going to come down to who plays best under pressure,” he said.
“It depends on who turns up on the day, who wants to be there and who is more desperate.”
Armitage said it was “definitely satisfying” to see the Roos finish inside the top three in his first season at the helm.
Hi side finished off the regular season with a 71-0 win over local rivals Rhinos last weekend.
A number of his experienced campaigners starred in that match and while they will be vital at finals time, Armitage warned nothing could be taken for granted at this time of year.
“You never know what’s going to happen in finals and you’ve got to be ready,” he said.
“Sometimes coming into finals you can expect to beat a team and it doesn’t always happen.”
One thing Armitage is confident about is the ability of his bench players and reserves to make an impact when given the chance.
The Roos’ incredible depth of talent has been evident this season with the likes of John Korff, Brad Pugh, Shaun McHugh, Anthony Golding and Moa Kavaefiafi, seen by many as indispensable first graders, spending time in second grade.
“It’s like I’ve said to the boys, it’s not 15 players than win you a grand final, it’s 25 or 30,” Armitage said.
“It helps having blokes that can step up and do the job.
“We’ve got a good nucleus of guys and that’s good but everyone can fill a role and knows what to do and that's pleasing.”
While a win on Saturday would put the Kangaroos just one match away from the grand final, Armitage refuses to get carried away.
“You can’t really think like that,” he said.
“We’ve got to concentrate on this week and what happens from there will take care of itself.”
Star centre and captain Filisione Pauta will again be key for the Kangaroos, while the likes of Brad Pugh and Ted Bates have also been crucial for the bulk of the season.
Saturday’s qualifying final kicks off at 3.15pm at Forbes’ Grinsted Oval.
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.
