ORANGE Emus coach Andrew Logan said his side shares one common trait with Forbes ahead of Saturday’s Blowes Clothing Cup round 14 clash with the Platypi - desperation.
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It’s a word not often associated with the greens after their resurgence from 2013 wooden spoon to 2014 minor premiership contenders.
However, despite Emus’ share of the competition lead with Dubbo Kangaroos - who the greens beat 48-3 last weekend - Logan said his side travel to Forbes’ Grinsted Oval “as desperate to beat the Playtpi as we would be if we were coming last”.
Emus’ demolition job of ‘Roos last week has catapulted the greens into minor premiership contention, while back-to-back defeats leaves Forbes at risk of slipping to seventh with a loss on Saturday.
WATCH OF VIDEO PREVIEW OF THE BLOWES CLOTHING CUP'S ROUND 14 GAMES:
“Forbes are fourth and we’re first, but every side in that top five wants to maintain or improve on their position,” Logan said.
“We don’t have an easy run home and Forbes has been a bit of an Emus graveyard in recent years, so yes, we are very desperate to win this game.”
Post-match, Logan labelled last weekend’s performance against ‘Roos “an almost complete performance” but said Forbes present a vastly different proposition.
“We can definitely still improve,” Logan said.
“We got a bit of a free ride at the breakdown last weekend. Dubbo rarely contested, preferring to fan out, but we know Forbes are going to be the complete opposite of that.
“They’re hard on the ruck, and will contest in attack and defence and have a big, physical pack. We’re working hard on our cleanout and ball security to combat that, games are always won up front but this week the result will rely more on the forwards than ever.”
Emus will be without star fullback Sam Ryan, who suffered a minor tear against Dubbo. Logan has replaced fire with fire, naming Tim Alison in the vacant custodian position with kiwi flyer Carter Hirini returning from injury on the wing.
ORANGE EMUS: 1 Nas Havealeta, 2 Tom Goolagong, 3 Brent Braithwaite, 4 Nick Hughes-Clapp, 5 Tom Fenuelelei, 6 Andrew Cosgrove, 7 Scott Bouffler, 8 Rob Thorburn, 9 TJ Cunynghame, 10 Adam Perri, 11 Tom Green, 12 Simon Badgery, 13 Nigel Staniforth, 14 Carter Hirini, 15 Tim Alison.
