EVERY orchestra needs a conductor, and so far in 2014 Orange Emus’ pivot Adam Perri has flourished in his role as maestro.
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After an early season shift from fullback to fly-half, Perri has led Emus’ symphony with composure befitting someone more senior in age.
But what the 19-year-old lacks in experience, he makes up for in confidence.
Perri’s unpredictability and deft passing and kicking games have been instrumental in Emus’ resurgence from 2013 Blowes Clothing Cup wooden spooners to 2014 contenders.
Plus, despite his diminutive size, he wouldn’t look out place defensively in the back row.
Emus host Bathurst Bulldogs today at Endeavour Oval, and Perri sent the visitors an ominous message ahead of the clash - we have learned from our round one mistakes.
Bulldogs trumped Emus 35-26 in round one, but Perri said the greens are a very different team to that which took to Ashwood Park nine weeks ago.
“We’re a much better side now,” Perri, a Central West colts and NSW Country under 19 representative, said.
“We’re more organised, and structured. We’ve got the right people in key positions and we’re a bit more eager to have a go.”
However, even with his side sitting third, Perri said the greens’ can continue to improve.
“We still need a bit of work structurally, mainly on my behalf,” he said.
“We weren’t patient enough on the weekend (against Orange City), and I think we need to be a bit more confident in our processes, and not panic in attack.”
With Endeavour Oval currently a mud-heap after last Friday’s torrential downpour and Saturday’s local derby, Perri said he is expecting the clash, boasting two of the competition’s biggest forward packs, to be “an old fashioned slug fest”.
Orange Emus host Bathurst Bulldogs at Endeavour Oval, kicking off at 3.15pm on Saturday.
ORANGE EMUS: 1 Nas Havealeta, 2 Tom Goolagong, 3 Brent Braithwaite, 4 Nick Hughes-Clapp, 5 Sam McLean, 6 Alo Finau, 7 Andrew Cosgrove, 8 Rob Thorburn, 9 TJ Cunynghame, 10 Adam Perri, 11 Tom Green, 12 Tim Alison, 13 Nigel Staniforth, 14 Carter Hirini, 15 Sam Ryan.
