Forbes Magpies will be looking to make their place in Group 11’s top three more secure tomorrow when they host the unpredictable Nyngan Tigers at Spooner Oval.
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Zac Merritt’s first grade side are currently third on the competition ladder ahead of round 13 but their top three position is fragile with Wellington just a point behind the Magpies, while Nyngan and Westside are also jostling for semi-finals positions.
Merritt said his team is treating tomorrow’s fixture as a ‘must win’ game.
“With only six games to go until the semis, we need to start building pressure on those other teams chasing us for positions. The top two [CYMS and Parkes] have broken away from the field a bit now but the teams in three, four and five are really fighting for that second crack at the semis,” Merritt said.
The Forbes captain coach said the Magpies were good against Dubbo CYMS last weekend, but not quite good enough to earn the two competition points.
“We weren’t far off against CYMS but this week we’ll be taking a real good attitude in to the game against Nyngan and looking to amp it up in front of a home crowd,” he said.
He is wary of the Tigers, who will probably still be smarting from their round one loss to the Magpies at Nyngan.
“It’s a bit of a tough trip to go out there and get a win over those guys and they’ll be pretty dirty on us I reckon for doing that and looking to get back at us over here.”
There will be at least two changes to the first grade team from last week’s loss to CYMS with wing Rusiate Lawanikula unavailable, but front row Ben Robinson is back in the team.
Merritt said he hoped the Magpies Old Boys’ supporters day would bring a big crowd to Spooner Oval.
“They’re always vocal the old boys and if they get a good crowd there it will definitely lift us to a win against Nyngan I reckon.”
Teams for tomorrow’s games against Nyngan at Spooner Oval. Games start with League Tag at 11am.
League Tag - Jes Bond, Norma Stevenson, Amy Hunt, Laura Constable, Erica Stevenson, Jayden Scott, Kimeaka Evans, Hannah Porrelli, Bronte Haynes, Georgia Dagger, Marikki Brennan, Emma Bayley, Megan Morrison, Emma Reid, Kate Hessell, Natalie Robb, Laikan Brennan, Elysse Girot, Jess Ruge, Demi Marsh.
Under 18s - Pat Murphy, Dylan Gunn, Mitch Andrews, Jarad Masonwells, Jordan Kennedy, Bailey Hartwig (capt), Jai Clarke, Brad Herbert, Josh Bayley, Josh Vale, Nick Morrison, Izaac Scott, Matt Woolnough, Kaden Lamb, Reece Hiki, Will Dukes, Louis Staines, Cooper Carroll, Sam Clarke, Masi Seru
Reserve Grade - Ethan Williams, Jordan Hiki, Brodie Hodges, Jarrod Reid, Joff King, Tim Ashcroft, Bailey Hartwig, Ricky Brett, Tas Spackman (c/c), Troy Hodges, Andrew Grogan, Sam Baass, Marty Herbert, Scotty Grogan, Billy Spence, Braden Sullivan, Damian Kennedy, Casey Mundy, Wes Finn.
First Grade - Matt Morris, Joe Coe, Joel Davie, Tys Rewiti, TBC, Carl Johnson, Matt Roylance, Chris Hancock, Hayden Bolam, Zac Merritt (c/c), Jake Grace, Ben Maguire, Ethan Gaffney, Kyle Baxter, Ben Robinson, Jarad Masonwells, Blake Baxter.
