Macquarie will be without captain Keiran Brien and key all-rounder Dan Medway for this weekend’s bumper clash with South Dubbo at No. 3 Oval.
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But that’s nothing new for the Blues.
A hand injury meant Brien wasn’t available for the start of the RSL-Whitney Cup season while Medway, Jeremy Dickson and Angus Cusack are among other players have also missed games so far this summer.
“I don’t think we’ve had our strongest side on the park yet,” Brien said, his side sitting third after eight rounds.
“We had Rick (Medway) go down and then ‘Cuey’ way away so to get wins when we’ve had blokes out every week has been very positive.”
The clash between the Blues, to be captained by Ed Haylock in the absence of Brien, and second-placed Souths highlights the final round before the Christmas and New Years break.
It could also have big ramifications on the table.
Macquarie sits just one point behind the Hornets while Rugby is at the summit, a further three points clear.
To get wins when we’ve had blokes out every week has been very positive.
- Kieran Brien
Newtown is fourth with 27 points, five behind Macquarie, while RSL-Colts and CYMS follow.
“If we lose we’ve got to fight with everyone else for that third spot but if we win then the top three would move pretty clear so hopefully results go our way and we can get a bit of a buffer,” Brien said.
Brien’s men had previously been top of the ladder earlier in the season but last week’s loss to Rugby saw them take a tumble.
That search for consistency is something all sides are battling for in what is an extremely close season but Brien knows exactly what his side needs to do better in order to stamp itself as the side to catch.
“Our fielding,” he said.
“It’s been pretty poor from everyone, not just one or two players. We’re not backing up our bowlers well like we have done the last couple of years.
“We’ve got to pick it up and everyone has got to contribute.”
Macquarie’s batting lineup has taken all the plaudits this season but the bowlers will have a big job to do on Saturday.
Souths downed CYMS last week and head into Saturday’s match boosted by the return of captain Mitch Bower, fellow representative stars Will Lindsay and Henry Railz as well as opening bat Angus Norton.
But Brien has faith in his attack with Dickson now working back to his best after missing some early rounds through injury and he will combine with Cusack and James Hughes as part of a three-pronged pace attack.
Saturday’s one-day match at No. 3 Oval starts at 1pm.
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.
