They say defence win premierships, but Alan Auld thinks attack will be the best form of defence for Macquarie United in this weekend’s Dubbo and District Football Association (DDFA) major semi-final.
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The minor premiership-winning Macquarie United outfit takes Orana Spurs on Sunday afternoon with the winner advancing to the grand final on September 2.
Macquarie is undefeated in its past eight games but does have some concerns heading into Sunday.
Starting centre back duo, Steve Howlett and Matt Taylor will both miss the game. The former could well be out for the season after suffering a broken toe while Taylor is serving the second game of his two-match suspension.
And while Macquarie coach Auld has complete confidence in the players who will step up and fill the void, he feels its his side’s electric attack which can fire the minor premiers into the decider.
“Although we haven’t conceded a lot this season, we’re quietly confident if the opposition scores a couple we can score three or four,” he said.
“But in saying that, Spurs will be hard to break down. They’re strong in midfield and they broke us down there (in previous games) and it was hard four our midfield to get into the game.
We’re quietly confident if the opposition scores a couple we can score three or four.
- Macquarie coach Alan Auld
“They’re very dangerous on the counter-attack too with a couple of fast and strong boys up front.”
Teenager Will Grant is one of the fastest players in the DDFA and he is Macquarie’s real threats, while he’s ably supported by the experienced Leigh Osbourne and Evan Goodstat up front.
Another of Macquarie’s key attacking figures, and leading goal-scorer, is midfielder Glen Schein.
Schiel and Grant both scored in the 3-1 win over Dubbo FC last weekend, a win which secured the minor premiership.
“It’s our first minor premiership as a club and we won it in first grade and second grade and won the club championship,” Auld said.
“We’re sitting pretty well.”
The dual prizes if proof of the club’s depth and Auld said that will be vital to his side’s chances this weekend, particularly in regards to the defensive make-up.
A number of players from second grade stepped up last weekend and helped get the job done against the Bulls.
Grant and Schein both scored in that game.
Sunday’s game kicks off at 3pm at Lady Cutler 3.
The minor semi-final is also played at 3pm on Sunday, with the season to come to an end for one of the third-placed Dubbo FC and fourth-placed South Dubbo Wanderers.
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.
