This weekend is Westside’s chance to make a statement.
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The Rabbitohs are yet to have a win and much was made of the opening round 102-0 loss to Dubbo CYMS but newly appointed captain Robbie Olsen is adamant the side has banded together through the difficult start and now a win is just around the corner.
And the club would love nothing more than scoring that breakthrough win in Sunday’s derby clash with Macquarie.
“We’ve pulled together and rallied the troops and we know how important this derby match is to our side and fans because we’ve lost players to Macquarie and we’ve got a point to prove,” he said.
“There’s still that local rivalry and we’re ready to go. We’re out to prove there’s not going to be anymore of the blow-out scores.”
Five of the Raiders playing this weekend and have represented Westside in recent seasons and the two sides have already met in some fiery matches in the past.
But the focus for Olsen and interim first grade coach Col Fuller is on scoring a first win of the season.
Olsen and Fuller have taken on the roles following Colt Tairua’s decision to stand down as captain-coach.
Tairua, appointed to the role during the off-season, has stepped back for family reasons, according to Olsen, but the former Group 11 back-rower will still be lining up for the side this weekend.
Fuller is only expected to be in the role for a number of weeks until a new full time can be found.
The changes don’t stop off the field, with star fullback Sam Coe returning to the club while former Raider Anthony Toomey has settled in and will line up on the wing on Sunday.
“A win is just around the corner for us and when that does happen it will have an affect on the whole club,” Olsen said.
“We’ve had enough of the losses and with the changes in the side it will be more competitive in the coming weeks.”
Olsen added it was “an honour” to be named captain of the Rabbitohs first grad outfit after previously leading the club’s reserve grade side to a title in 2015.
He will also remain as the club’s under 18s coach.
WESTSIDE: 1 Sam Coe, 2 Alfred Smith, 3 Warren Peachey, 4 Calvin Baxter, 5 Anthony Toomey, 6 Steven Merritt, 7 Steve Riley, 8 Tyrone Blanchette, 9 Carl Ralph, 10 Peter Miller, 11 Colt Tairua, 12 Brayden Peachey, 13 Robbie Olsen ©, 14 Robert Fuller, 15 Shane Peckham, 16 Brady Brooks, 17 Kieran Hill
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.
