ORANGE Emus coach Mitch Dansey knows better than most how important it is to grab an opportunity when one presents itself.
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A regular in the greens top grade backline for a number of seasons until a badly broken leg forced the inside centre into an early retirement at the end of 2011, Dansey, as a player, never got the opportunity to claim a senior rugby premiership.
But in 2014 as coach of this year’s Emus second grade outfit and his side just one game short of a Blowes Clothing Cup second grade grand final berth, there’s a distinct opportunity.
And Dansey knows it.
“It’s something I’ve spoken about a couple of times in the last couple of weeks. Opportunities like these don’t come around very often,” he said.
“A lot of these boys have played a lot of rugby together coming through the juniors and going all the way would be pretty special for those guys.
“Motivation isn’t lacking at the moment.”
Emus play Roos in the preliminary final on Saturday at Pride Park, the winner booking a date against defending premiers Orange City next Saturday.
“(Playing at Pride Park) is obviously better than travelling to Dubbo but it’s still going to be an extremely tough contest, there’s no doubt about it,” he said.
“It’s going to take a complete performance.”
Scott Bouffler will play first grade this weekend, with Sam McLean moving back down to second grade for Emus.
Ben Parkes is also a returning face at flanker.
Second grade kicks off at 1.30pm at Pride Park.
ORANGE EMUS: 1 Matt Findlay, 2 Keith Howarth, 3 Luke Turner, 4 Mark Udy, 5 Tommy Fenuelelei, 6 Sam McLean, 7 Ben Parkes, 8 Scott Udy, 9 Chris Bailey, 10 Elliot Brice, 11 Will Collis, 12 Ben Ruddy, 13 Isaac White, 14 James Simmons, 15 Dave Faul