If ever Macquarie Raiders players were going to pay tribute to Perry Meredith with a performance he would be proud of, it would be this weekend.
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The Raiders take on Nyngan this weekend in a game vital to the finals hopes of both sides.
There’s already a huge amount of incentive for both teams but the fact this weekend is the Raiders’ Perry Meredith Memorial round gives the men in sky blue even more to play for.
Meredith was a hard-as-nails back-rower who was a Macquarie first grade regular until his passing in November 2016.
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The inaugural memorial round was an emotionally charged affair last year and this weekend at Apex Oval is expected to be no different.
“A fair few of us played with or against ‘Pez’ and we all know how passionate he was,” Raiders coach Dylan Hill said.
“I’m hoping this weekend the boys turn up for him and also themselves.
“Pez was probably one of the most passionate blokes I played with and I hope the boys take that into the game and draw on something.”
Hill will miss the crucial battle with the Nyngan Tigers due to the fact he has university commitments in Sydney.
It has left Macquarie’s rookie coach extremely frustrated but he added the club was understanding of his situation given he is doing something important for his own future.
Hill didn’t have to pass on too much information about Nyngan’s big danger before he left, as it is something the Raiders are all too aware of.
Josh Merritt was a fan favourite during his time with the Raiders but after departing for Group 11 and Bathurst St Pat’s in the off-season he made the mid-year switch to the Nyngan Tigers.
He has reinvigorated the Tigers and got them into the all-important fifth spot on the ladder, ahead of the Raiders on for and against only.
“Josh has done great things for them so we need to step up,” Hill said.
“Everyone appreciates what he has done for Macquarie and I’d love to see him back in blue so there’s no hard feelings from anyone.
“We’ve got to shut him down but it’s hard to know how to shut down Josh Merritt.”
Hill said working in defence and giving him as little time as possible on the ball is key to shutting down Merritt and, in turn, keeping the Raiders’ finals hopes alive.
“I see this as do-or-die now,” Hill said.
“We’ve got CYMS and Wellington in the final two rounds so that’s really tough and Nyngan has a tough run home too so I think we’ve really got to get the win.”
The action at Apex Oval starts with league tag at 11am. The first grade match will kick-off at roughly 2.30pm.
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.
