The best ever: Emus’ backline branded stongest in 70-year history

Speaking to the Central Western Daily leading into Emus’ 70^th anniversary celebrations this weekend, Strachan did the complete opposite.

Posed with the question of how the current crop of Emus would shape up against the units of yesteryear, Strachan had a simple answer.

“I think the backs have been the best (in the club’s history),” Strachan said, giving Sam Green, AJ Sykes, Tom Green, Lachie Harris, Carter Hirini, Levi Russell and skipper Nigel Staniforth the highest of praise.

He’s probably the only one qualified enough to make such a bold statement too, considering he’s the last surviving foundation member of the club.

“The speed, the strength, the kicking game, I don’t think other backlines we’ve had would keep up. Not just the players starting either, the guys who come from the bench are up to the same standard,” Strachan said.

“It is hard (to compare eras) though, the rules and game has changed but the backs, I think they’re the best we’ve had.”

In a nod to Strachan’s praise of the greens’ lower graders, Emus will be without Sykes – the club’s reigning player of the year – for Saturday’s first-versus-third clash with Dubbo Kangaroos, but won’t lose much with his replacement.

Former first grade gun and 2011 NSW Country Colt Mitch Evers comes into the No.10 jersey.

“That’s really flattering of Don to say, from what I hear there’s been some incredible backlines play for Emus over the years,” Staniforth said.

“We have been very strong through that area (in 2017) but it’s not just this year. Guys like Tim Allison, Zac White, Graydon Staniforth and Adam Perry, who aren’t playing anymore, and TJ Cunynghame, who’s playing [second grade sporadically], we’ve been lucky to have that kind of quality.

“We’re also lucky our backline hasn’t changed too much in the last four or five seasons.”

Saturday’s round eight clash is undeniably Emus’ and Roos’ biggest of the season so far.

It acts as a lead-up to the club’s 70^th anniversary ball, Endeavour Oval will be brimming with old boys and both sides are coming off triple figure wins last week against Parkes and Mudgee respectively.

Surely all that, and the GOAT tag handed down by Strachan, heaps pressure on Staniforth’s troops?

“Not really, pressure’s what you make of it,” Staniforth said.

“We just want to go out and work hard like we normally do. It’s a unique game in terms of last week’s scorelines but, I know it sounds weird, Parkes weren’t that bad a side and I know Mudgee were down a lot of players. I don’t think you can read into those results too much.

“Dubbo is definitely a massive threat, I think they’re definitely the strongest side we will have played so far this year and they clearly have some danger out wide.”

Staniforth said his troops have a little bit of extra motivation. In last year’s old boys round against Forbes, Emus were ambushed by the resurgent Platypi. It was one of two games the greens’ lost last year.

They don’t want to get beaten in front of their past players again, certainly not in an anniversary year.

“Last year it was complacency I think, Forbes came out and played really well and got the result,” Staniforth said.

“So I think we just need to make sure we don’t let that creep in. Everyone is really looking forward it, being the anniversary year and no doubt plenty of old boys there on Saturday.”

Emus’ anniversary celebrations kick off on Friday night, with a first XV jersey presentation and old boys meet and greet from 5.30pm at Endeavour Oval.

Saturday’s festivities kick off at 9.30am with the under 13s, first grade kicks off at 3.15pm.