What could possibly make a Blowes Clothing Cup local derby between Orange City and Orange Emus even better?
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Well, make it a grand final like 2015 is one way.
But, possibly the only other, play it under lights at Wade Park and whack an Intrust Super Shute Shield game on before it, as a curtain-raiser of sorts.
“It’ll be different playing under lights but we’re all really looking forward to it,” Emus’ Tom Green enthused.
“We are too, it should be really good fun. Playing on Wade Park too,” Orange City’s Tom Nell added.
Nell will, as usual, take his place at the base of Orange City’s scrum while Green will return to Emus’ wing after missing last weekend’s victory over Mudgee.
Both have been superb for their respective sides so far in 2017, when they’ve managed to keep their luscious locks out of their eyes that is.
Two of the fuzzier combatants set to take to Wade Park on Saturday evening, the pair said there’s no lack of motivation in either camp leading into the first all-Orange derby fixture of 2017.
For Nell’s Lions, it’s about building on last weekend’s 33-point victory over Dubbo Rhinos, Orange City’s most complete performance of the season so far.
Like coach Steve Hamson coach said leading into that game, Nell said his side remains focused on perfecting its new system and staying in the contest for the full 80 minutes.
“That’s a big thing for us, staying in the game for the entire 80 minutes and not falling away at all,” Nell said.
That is something the Lions will definitely need to do against Emus, the undefeated competition leaders and two-time reigning champions.
Although, Emus’ last-start was probably the greens’ worst performance of the year. Still, they won 40-7 anyway.
“Well, I didn’t actually play last week but I heard it wasn’t a great performance,” Green said.
“So even though we still won, I think everyone is still keen to get back up to the standard we want to be playing at.
“It’s a local derby, we love playing in them and we know the City guys too.”
The all-Orange derby kicks off at 4.50pm, after Eastern Suburbs’ round seven Shute Shield clash against Gordon.
- ORANGE CITY LIONS: 1 Darcy Garlick, 2 Chris Senior, 3 Ben Wilson, 4 Scott Smith, 5 Keith Lawson, 6 Ben Swadling, 7 Duncan Young, 8 Logan Brockmann ©, 9 Tom Nell, 10 Keegan Harding, 11 Dave Chissnal, 12 Jake Davis, 13 Sam Coote ©, 14 Barton Young, 15 Jackson Coote
- ORANGE EMUS: 1 Al Hattersley, 2 Tom Goolagong, 3 Michael Graham, 4 Nick Hughes-Clapp, 5 Sam McLean, 6 Scott McLean, 7 Andrew Selwood, 8 Rob Thorburn, 9 Sam Green, 11 Levi Russell, 12 Lachie Harris, 13 Carter Hirini, 14 Tom Green, 15 Nigel Staniforth ©