Mitch Davis is lending his experience to Orange Hawks

AS one of the more integral cogs in Albury’s historic run of three straight Group Nine premierships, gun Orange Hawks prop Mitch Davis knows a little bit about winning.

And he knows the two blues aren’t too far off.

Sitting eighth on the Group 10 ladder, Hawks have stuttered their way to one win from their opening five games as silly penalties and poor mistakes cost them a shot at victory in most matches, aside from their round five 36-34 victory over Oberon.

But ahead of tomorrow’s clash with the undefeated Lithgow at Wade Park, Davis is predicting a simple strategy will ensure Hawks’ run at a second win could come to fruition at the expense of the resurgent Workies and their dynamic brothers Jono and Brendon Van Veen.

“I think we need to play the same style of game (as last week) - just grind it up through the middle and execute when we have the opportunity - which is what we didn’t do against Mudgee,” Davis said, Hawks losing 22-4 against the Dragons last week.

“Hopefully if we can execute a few more opportunities we might come out on top.”

The 23-year-old said he’ll look past Lithgow’s niggling tactics in a bid to help Hawks over the line.

“I just won’t let it get to me,” he said.

“If there’s a bit of niggle there hopefully the ref might pull it up.”

Hawks will run out tomorrow without captain-coach Brock McGarity and hulking prop Arty Shead for the second consecutive week, while backrower Todd Morrissey is  still out with a calf complaint.

Davis said injuries have seriously dented the stocks of an already young two blues outfit.

“We’re just riddled with injuries at the moment,” Davis said.

“We’ve got so many blokes off the paddock through injury; every week we seem to get another one or two. It’s just hurting us at the moment.

“But it’s a very good standard here. I’m happy to be here.”

Player-coach Jared Brodrick was thrilled with Davis’ impact on the young Hawks forwards.

“He’s brought a lot to the team,” Brodrick said.

“I know guys like Sam Coyte look up to him a lot. He’s very strong and his quick play-the-balls get us on the front foot. He’s been great for us.”

Tomorrow’s clash with Workies begins at 2pm.

The day begins with league tag at 10am.

ORANGE HAWKS: 1 Cody Robbins, 2 Jedd Kennedy, 3 Lachie Harris, 4 Mitch Hurford, 5 Jason Gangaram, 6 Wise Kativerata, 7 Keegan Harding, 8 Mitch Davis, 9 Matt Boss, 10 Sam Coyte, 11 Lawrence Fogg, 12 Villie Taroga, 13 Jared Brodrick.