ORANGE Hawks five-eighth Brock McGarity believes the two blues’ win over Group 10 competition leaders Mudgee Dragons last weekend was “massive for the club” and could potentially lift the two blues into the top three.
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Hawks are in the midst of a six-game winning streak, with their last start 26-18 victory in Mudgee the best out of the team’s current run.
Ahead of their round 14 clash with the Blayney Bears at Wade Park - a game that’ll see the Hawks club donate $1 from every entry fee to the Rise for Alex Foundation - McGarity says if the two blues can maintain their winning run, the final standings on this year’s Group 10 ladder will take care of itself.
And the catalyst may well be last Saturday’s victory in Mudgee.
“It was massive, especially for the whole club,” the classy-ball player said.
“We won all three grades aside from the girls, which was a great day for the club over there in Mudgee. “To beat the competition leaders, the boys have taken plenty of confidence from the game.”
McGarity was a notable absentee from the club’s last clash with Blayney at King George Oval, and said a lot has changed since the 26-all draw against the Bears back in round five.
“We had a few out through injury that day and throughout the first half of the year we were still sorting out positions. We’re probably more settled now,” he said, adding a top three berth was now in Hawks’ sights.
“I think any competition you play in you want to finish as high as you can.
“If we can keep the momentum we’ve got then the ladder will take care of itself.”
An instrumental figure throughout the club’s six-game winning run, the former Australian Schoolboys rugby union five-eighth has been shifted from the centres to the No.6 jersey to help cover for captain-coach Tim Mortimer, who has been on family business in France.
But with Mortimer expected back for Sunday’s game, McGarity has kept his position in the halves.
“I think I’ve played three games there now since the derby,” McGarity added.
“You’re a bit more involved in the halves, and that’s probably what I’m enjoying the most.”
Sunday’s premier league game begins at 2pm.
ORANGE HAWKS: 1 Joe Lasagavibau, 2 Justin Howarth, 3 Tim Mortimer, 4 Jared Brodrick, 5 Alofi Mataele, 6 Brock McGarity, 7 Keegan Harding, 8 Arty Shead, 9 Mitch Hurford, 10 Chris Anau, 11 Lawrence Fogg, 12 Kyle Byrnes, 13 Travis Bubb, 14 Jason Greenhalgh.
