RUGBY LEAGUE
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IN terms of the Group 10 premier league competition, Orange Hawks’ trip down the Mitchell Highway tomorrow to play Bathurst Panthers is meaningless, but that doesn’t mean the two blues aren’t going to win.
Neither side can make the semi-finals, and while Panthers remain close to full strength Hawks are anything but.
Injury plagued and down on troops, Hawks will once again field a youthful, understrength side tomorrow, and injured captain-coach Brock McGarity said that could be his side’s ticket to victory.
“Sometimes these games, where there isn’t any pressure, brings out the best in both sides. It could be a really entertaining game,” he said.
“It’ll be pretty similar to last week I think, the boys will just go out there and throw it around and try to play a bit of footy.
“A win to finish the year would be ideal, but Panthers will be thinking the same way. They can’t make the finals either.
“The young guys who stuck their hands up last week get another run, so in a way we’re looking to the future by giving them some experience.”
Panthers boast a ginormous forward pack, and McGarity said stopping the Bathurst side’s big boys was Hawks’ goal, and would be a crucial factor.
“They’ve got some big boys in the middle,” McGarity said.
“As I said, it will be the same as last week. Just do the basics and play some good footy.”
This season is McGarity’s first year in charge, co-coaching the side with Jared Brodrick, and while good results have been few and far between, the former said the experience of the season was invaluable.
He also said while Hawks’ top grade side hadn’t done particularly well, the club’s under-18 and first division sides were both realistic chances of winning a title.
“Brodders [Brodrick] and I were speaking during the week and from one year’s coaching we’ve got about four years’ worth of experience,” McGarity laughed.
“It hasn’t been the ideal debut coaching season, and in a way with the injuries we’ve had and that sort of thing it will be a bit of a relief to finish.
“But in saying that we’re looking forward to our last game, and hopefully seeing our [first division] and under-18 sides go all the way.”
Hawks finish their season against Bathurst Panthers at Carrington Park tomorrow, with kick-off set down for 2pm.
ORANGE HAWKS: 1 Cody Robbins, 2 Matty Fuller, 3 Kyle Robbins, 4 Glen Maxwell, 5 Jordan Baker, 6 Jared Brodrick, 7 Matt Boss, 8 Mitch Davis, 9 Mitch Hurford, 10 Sam Coyte, 11 Lawrence Fogg, 12 Kurt McNamara, 13 Lachlan Harris.
