"IT'S not Desperation Stakes, but we're not far off it.''
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
So said Wingham coach Stu Baker as the Tigers prepare for Sunday's Group Three Rugby League clash against Forster-Tuncurry at Tuncurry.
The Tigers share last place with Taree City and Baker admits they need a win to stay in touch with the final five.
Wingham will at least be close to full strength for Sunday with Luke Steel back from injury while Trent Green will be available to start the game.
Green will be five-eighth. However, Baker has yet to decide where the versatile Steel will play.
"I had a few blokes away earlier this week with TAFE and stuff like that, so I haven't really made up my mind yet,'' he said.
The Tigers were beaten 40-26 by Port Sharks last Sunday. Baker described it as Wingham's best performance of the year.
"They're a good side Port, not too many sides are going to beat them,'' Baker reasoned.
"But my boys showed plenty of ticker to score the last three tries. Even at 40-8 I didn't think it was a true indication of the game.''
Baker said the Tigers have a number of young players in their first year of top grade.
"Blokes like Mitch Collins and Shannon Ellem are getting plenty of experience. They're playing plenty of minutes against strong opposition,'' he said.
AREE City has made three significant positional changes going into the must-win Group Three Rugby League clash against Old Bar at the Jack Neal Oval on Saturday.
The Bulls have switched North Coast halfback Mick Henry to hooker, with Todd Bridge moving from five-eighth to halfback. Luke Murray goes from hooker to five-eighth.
"I think Mick will be more dynamic coming out of dummy half,'' Taree City coach Paul Northam explained.
"And Todd can control play better from seven.''
He added that Murray has played plenty of football at six and will handle the switch.
The Bulls go into the game with just one win in the first round. While the competition ladder remains bunched, Northam concedes the Bulls badly need a win to stay in touch with the top five.
Taree will welcome Bridge back after he missed the clash with Port City last weekend because of suspension.
Centre Aaron Bayley also returns however, winger Alan McDonald's fate was decided last night by the Group Three judiciary after he was sent off last weekend. Second rower Thomas Berry was to undergo a fitness test last night at training after missing the last two games because of an ankle injury.
Henry copped a knock last week against Port City but has been cleared to play. Northam revealed the club won't be taking any further action on the matter, but remain disappointed in the way it was handled by match officials.
Northam agreed it has been a disappointing first round by the Bulls after the side showed promise in the pre-season.
He added that unless the players show more commitment in defence than they did in the first half against Port City last week, the disappointments will continue.
Port Macquarie will look to complete the first round unbeaten when they tackle Hastings rivals Wauchope tomorrow at the Port Macquarie Regional Stadium.
The Sharks were too strong for Wingham last Sunday despite having four players backing up from the representative clash the day before.
Wauchope had the week off with the bye last Sunday and will be looking to consolidate a spot in the top three going into the start of the second round.
There is no football in Group Three over the June long weekend.
OLD Bar captain-coach Danny Russell underwent surgery on his finger this week and is out of Saturday's Group Three Rugby League game against Taree City at the Jack Neal Oval.
Russell initially injured the finger in the game against Wingham on the Anzac weekend. He didn't miss a game, but saw a specialist this week and was told he required surgery.
"I'll be out four weeks, but that only means two games because of our bye and the long weekend,'' he said.
On a better note Russell has recovered from a hamstring strain and would have been right for tomorrow's game had he not required surgery.
Russell is likely to play Corey Wheeler at halfback against the Bulls, with Dale Clacherty taking over as captain. Clacherty is likely to play in his representative spot in the centres, although Russell indicated he could be moving into the forwards before the second round is through.
The Pirates had the weekend off when Sunday's game against Forster was called off and Russell said they're pumped up for a match against the Bulls.
Old Bar's field is slowly drying out and Russell was hoping they'd have a ball work session last night.
He pointed out a win over the Bulls will set the the Pirates up for a strong second round. Old Bar has had successive wins and will start the second round with the bye.
"And we have the match up our sleeve against Forster as well,'' he said.