Parkes Spacmen prop Jordan Pope says his side can’t afford to try and match it physically with the massive Nyngan forwards in Sunday’s preliminary final at Caltex Park.
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Instead, Pope believes his side can out-smart the Tigers pack and book a spot in the Group 11 grand final a week later.
Pope has been one of the stand-out Spacemen for a red, white and blue outfit in the midst of a finals charge from fourth spot.
Throughout that run, which includes elimination wins over Macquarie and premiers Forbes, Pope, alongside the impressive Jack Medlyn, hooker Joss Cleal and bench forwards Derby Medlyn and Jay Slavin regularly punched above their weight through the middle of the field against bigger packs.
The key? Playing it smart.
“All the boys have lifting coming into the finals,” Pope said.
“I believe we can out-smart them. We have to to lay a platform and lift to the occasion. We’ve got to come out firing.
“All of the boys have lifted. Darby Medlyn has stepped up from 18s and he’s done a great job.”
Pope said the driving force behind his side’s finals run was classy fullback Sam Dwyer.
“He gets the boys going,” Pope said.
“You’ve got to get the boys to turn up for you, Sammy does that.”
Pope said the inclusion of Brandon Tago has been a massive one for the club, with the former representative backrower slowly working his way into 2017.
His impact, Pope believes, will be felt on Sunday’s game.
“He’s a massive body and people fear him … it’s good when he’s on the field because people look out for him,” Pope added.
Kick-off is at 2.30pm at Caltex Park.
Nick McGrath
Editor, Central Western Daily
Editor, Central Western Daily
