If there’s one side heading into this weekend’s preliminary finals with momentum it’s the Wellington Cowboys reserve grade outfit.
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The Cowboys only secured finals football in the final round of the regular season but have hit top form at just the right time and have accounted for the Parkes Spacemen and Nyngan Tigers in the first two weeks of the post-season.
On Sunday the Cowboys make the trip to Caltex Park for a clash with the minor premiership-winning Macquarie Raiders.
In arguably the most even Group 11 competition across the board this season, each side has proven capable of beating the other but the Raiders had remained on top all year.
But in last week’s major semi it was Dubbo CYMS which won through to the decider.
Now the Raiders face an almighty task to even make the grand final, especially with halfback Harry Kempston gone after suffering a serious leg injury last week.
But while the Cowboys head into the game in-form and with plenty of confidence, coach Trent Forrest is adamant his team isn’t getting carried away.
“This time of year, they’re all tough,” he told The Wellington Times.
“We haven’t beaten them all year, which is a challenge in itself.
“But the last two times we played them we didn’t have the team we’ve got this weekend, so pretty confident for a win.
“They’ll bring their A game, so we have to bring ours.”
The Cowboys, a side which features a large amount of players who featured in first grade this season due to the club’s numbers battle, also welcome back Shannon Ireland this weekend after he served a two-game suspension.
The Raiders have captain-coach Adam McDermott back into the side after he missed last weekend’s loss and he slots into Kempston’s number seven jersey.
His combination with five-eight Craig McLean will be key while experienced front-rowers Ash Conn and Anthony Egan-Smith will be tasked with muscling up against the powerful Cowboys pack.
Brad Spencer has also been named at lock for the Raiders after spending almost all of the season in the backline, in both firsts and reserve grade.
Kick off is expected at 11.45pm.
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.
