A beefed up Parkes Spacemen line-up will look to end Dubbo CYMS’ unbeaten run on top of the Group 11 ladder this Sunday at Pioneer Oval.
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The two sides go head-to-head in the top-of-the-table clash at Jock Colley Field and Spacies fullback Sam Dwyer is confident the hosts’ size can help topple the Fishies.
“I think the biggest thing is our size. If we can get over the top of them in that department and try and work them over there that might help us get over the line,” Dwyer said.
The Spacies have been bolstered this season by the return of wrecking ball representative backrower Brendan Tago, adding some serious starch to Parkes’ pack in 2017.
“But they’re an 80 minute team. If you clock off for 10 or 15 minutes they’re going to make you pay,” Dwyer continued.
“We’ll have to be switched on for the full 80 minutes.”
If you clock off for 10 or 15 minutes (CYMS is) going to make you pay.
- Sam Dwyer
CYMS is the only unbeaten side in 2017 and is in the box seat to win the club’s fifth straight first grade minor premiership.
The Fishies secured last year’s minor prize during a 26-4 win over the Spacies in the same fixture last season.
It’s a game that acted as a finals springboard for the Dubbo club, going on to make the 2016 grand final.
While for Parkes, it’s a clash Dennis Moran’s outfit never really covered from, sliding from second on the ladder to out of the top three.
Parkes eventually finished fifth leading into the semi-finals and bowed out in the opening week of the post season at the hands of eventual premiers Forbes.
It’s a dismal exclamation mark on the end of season 2016 that’s been noted by Dwyer at the Parkes boys.
“It’s certainly in the back of our minds,” he said, determined not to let another opportunity slip.
Which, should other results eventuate, could well happen. Parkes (14 points) could again drop out of the top three should CYMS get the chocolates once more, and Nyngan (13) and Forbes (12) both win their respective clashes with Narromine and Macquarie.