The Dubbo Kangaroos may have saved one of their best performances until the last round of the Blowes Clothing Cup season as they fell 29-26 to the Forbes Platypi on Saturday afternoon.
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Dubbo headed into the match in Forbes as big outsiders but showed no fear with coach Paul Hausia opting to go with a younger side once again this week.
Hausia's plan paid off as Maika Seresere opened the scoring in only the sixth minute for the Roos after racing away to score in the corner before Hamish Gordon added the extras.
The Dubbo coach was pleased with the effort of his side after the game even though the scoreboard did not go their way.
"The coaches and I just said to the boys that they need to learn to play for each other," he said.
"What we implemented throughout the season, the boys needed to finish nice and strong which they did.
"Basically we had a new backline and a young boy who is 16 years old play halfback.
"What it really came down to was the positive attitude of the blokes and it's unfortunate we didn't win the game but the way they ended this season, I couldn't ask any more of them."
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Will Malloy, Darcy Chewings and Leo Bassingwaighte were part of the new-look backline and Hausia could not have been much prouder of the young trio.
"That was my main aim throughout the season was starting to bleed some of the young ones into the grade and knowing what the expectations are," he said.
"When they got the opportunity they grabbed it with both hands and went gun-ho.
"It clearly shows there is a lot of talent in this club.
"We've got to start to learn to expose them and also develop them into got young football players."
The home side hit back shortly after as Tom Menzies crashed over courtesy of a clever trick play by Mahe Fangupo before Daniel Sweeney levelled the scores at 7-a piece.
Malloy was next to score for Dubbo after some brilliant broken play running by Cliff Noke set up the young Roos winger before Gordon added the extras to give the visitors a 14-7 lead.
Forbes scored twice before half-time which Sweeney only managed to convert one but credit to the Roos who showed a lot of fight to match it with one of the best teams in the competition and trailed 19-14at the break.
Dubbo got off to the best start possible as Gordon pounced on a loose ball to sprint 80 metres downfield before converting his own try to give the Roos back the lead.
Forbes began to wrestle back momentum and Brenton Howarth gave the hosts the lead again as he barged over on a short side play as the Platypi moved back in front with a 24-21 scoreline.
Ronan Scott scored on his return to the Roos line-up but Gordon could not give Dubbo the extra points on this occasion.
Dubbo second-rower Ben Knaggs was given a yellow card and Forbes immediately made them pay as Fangupo scored before Sweeney converted to give the hosts a 29-26 lead with 10 minutes remaining.
Dubbo charged the ball upfield before a poor pass was knocked on giving Forbes possession as the full-time whistle blew ending the Roos season.
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