The Forbes Magpies are gearing up for one of their most critical matches of the Group 11 rugby league season when they take on the Wellington Cowboys tomorrow.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sunday’s match between Forbes and Wellington, sitting third and fourth place on the Group 11 ladder respectively, will have a significant influence on the semis.
Wellington are just one point below Forbes, so tomorrow’s outcome is crucial for both teams, with only three games left until finals.
“There’s a lot at stake for us to keep that third spot and get to the semis,” Forbes first grade captain-coach Zac Merritt said.
“It’s a must-win game this weekend; to pull away from them and get three or four points out in front would be good.”
After a less-than-favourable performance against the Cobar Roosters at home last weekend, Merritt said the boys know they need to step it up in tomorrow’s game.
“We all know there’s a lot more at stake,” he said.
“We know we’ve got to go and lift our defence and our attitude up and if we do we’ll get a win over there [in Wellington].
“It’d be nice to get a bit of confidence ahead of Macquarie and Parkes.”
While the Magpies defeated Cobar convincingly, Merritt said the 56-32 score was disappointing.
“We’re always happy to get the two points but our defence let us down; we didn’t turn up with a good attitude,” he said.
“To let the bottom-of-the-table team get 30 points is not good enough.
“We got away with a good lead but sort of just rested and they stepped up and we shouldn’t have let them.”
Merritt said the Magpies will be bringing their A-game with them to Wellington tomorrow and is confident Forbes can come away with the victory.
“Wellington are always tough at home but I don’t think it’ll make a difference to the outcome of the game,” he said.
“[I’m] real confident - we’re starting to hit the straps at the right end of the year and taking good form into the semis, so I’m confident of going over there and winning this weekend.
“We’re trying to build for the semis, so we’re treating these last three games as semi-final games.”
The Magpies will face the Roosters at Kennard Park in Wellington at 2.30pm tomorrow.
Forbes Magpies teams v Wellington tomorrow:
League Tag - Jes Bond, Erica Stevenson, Amy Hunt, Natalie Robb, Norma Stevenson, Jayden Scott, Kimeaka Evans, Hannah Porrelli, Bronte Haynes, Georgia Dagger, Marikki Brennan, Megan Morrison, Emma Bayley, Emma Reid, Demi Marsh, Monica Watkins, Laikan Brennan, Laura Constable, Jess Ruge.
Under 18s - Jordan Kennedy, Dylan Gunn, Mitch Andrews, Jarad Masonwells, Reece Hiki, Bailey Hartwig, Mitch Burke, Will Dukes, Josh Bayley, Louis Staines, Nick Morrison, Izaac Scott, Matt Woolnough, Kaden Lamb, Sam Clarke, Cooper Carroll, Brad Herbert, Josh Vale, Jai Clarke, Nick Mulligan.
Reserve Grade - Ethan Williams, Jarrod Reid, Damian Kennedy, Brodie Hodges, Wes Finn, Bailey Hartwig, Tim Ashcroft, Braden Sullivan, Tas Spackman (c / c), Troy Hodges, Andrew Grogan, Joff King, Marty Herbert, Scott Grogan, Casey Mundy, Masi Seru, Jake Hanley.
1st Grade - Joe Coe, Tim Ashcroft, Joel Davie, Tyson Rewiti, Rusiate Lawanikula, Carl Johnson, Matt Roylance, Chris Hancock, Hayden Bolam, Zac Merritt (c / c), Jake Grace, Ben Maguire, Ethan Gaffney, Blake Baxter, Ben Robinson, Damian Kennedy, Kyle Baxter.
