FORSTER-Tuncurry Dolphins’ Axeman representative winger, Jesse Logan, has shown the courage of his Wallaby international grandfather, halfback Don Logan, to make himself available for tomorrow’s (SAT) rugby union grand final at Peter Barclay Field, Tuncurry.
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A Mid North Coast representative winger for the zone at Armidale’s NSW Country championships in 2015, Logan ran in three tries against Old Bar midway through last month – for 15 tries in 10 games this winter - only to sustain a knee cartilage injury, torn in two places.
The injury has kept Logan chafing at the bit as he awaits surgery, but on Tuesday evening, desperate to satisfy coach Ron Rae he was able to take his place in the back line, Logan ran with confidence and speed, though perhaps off the bench against the Wallamba Bulls tomorrow.
In addition to Logan, the Dolphins expect to have lineout-winner, Jack Woods, and envaluable tight forward, lock-cum-prop, Nigel Pereira, back in their squad after the pair missed the 17-9 major semi-final defeat of Wallamba, which took the Dolphins into the grand final.
Logan’s return is compensation for the club’s loss of veteran utility player, Rob Avard, who has had two pins inserted in an ankle after recent injury.
With their home ground advantage and on the strength of three wins to the Bulls’ single success in their clashes this winter, the Dolphins deserve favouritism tomorrow. But grand finals are wild rodeo rides, and this will be no exception against the Bulls.
Coach Lee Sullivan has moved the Bulls’ goal-kicking hero Steven Curnow to fullback, allowing the abrasive former M.N.C. halfback, Andrew Paynter, to revert to his preferred position from flanker where he has developed a polished combination with five-eighth Matt Woods.
What was apparent in the Bulls’ five tries all and 39-29 defeat of the Manning River Ratz in the enthralling elimination final last weekend was the width of their attacking back line, the 30-metre distance from their forwards allowing centre Chris Tout space to launch splendid attacks which yielded him four match-winning tries.
Aaron Gordon’s Bulls are a tenacious lot, starved for success after a decade in the Lower MNC premiership. They have a big scrummaging pack, lineout winners in Daniel Barber and Rhys Hessing, and tigerish loose forwards in Daniel and Rhys Hessing and hard-hitting No 8, Dan Aldridge.
But the Dolphins’ ball-winning back row trio of Australian-adopted Welshman, Tom Homer, rugged Troy Haines and Woods the equal of any combination the club has fielded since the rebirth of rugby in the Great Lakes in 2004.
From halfback combination Liam Brady and Matt Nuku and midfielders Mark Hargarty and Kurt Forester, the Dolphins have developed a potent attacking combination. They have prevailed before and should prevail again for the Dolphins’ fifth successive title.
Scrummaging is the major issue. Wallamba have gained a hefty, technically skilful loose-head in Chris Pfeiffer. He was not sighted last weekend, the assumption being that he was injured.
If he plays, the Dolphins’ tight-head anchor Ben Manning and Gavin Maberly-Smith will need all their vast experience to keep Scott Walmsley’s scrum secure.
Likewise, when the Bulls defeated the Dolphins early this season, inside-centre James Handford was a handful only to sustain a torn hamstring muscle. Coach Sullivan might be ready to launch him again.
All in all, it shapes as a splendid afternoon. But how the Dolphins wish they had dynamic MNC representative back, “Buka” Naqito, back in their ranks, sadly lost due to his wife’s move to Alice Springs.
The game kicks-off at 3pm. Adults will be charged a $5 entrance fee.