Forbes Magpies must-win clash with Narromine Jets to cement top three spot

The final month of the 2016 Group 11 regular season has come down to a four-week shoot out for two spots in the competition’s top three, with Forbes, Nyngan, Dubbo Macquarie and Parkes – all locked on 12 points – vying for higher rungs on the ladder.

Defending premiers CYMS have the minor premiership all but locked up, well clear on 20 competition points, but the rest of the make-up of the finals will be determined over the course of the next month.

And no side will be tested quite like the Forbes Magpies, a team beginning its run home with a tricky trip to Cale Oval where they’ll face the Narromine Jets on Saturday.

“That’s right, and we’ve spoken about it at training. We want that top two or three spot so we can get a good shot at the semis,” Magpies coaching co-ordinator Cameron Greenhalgh said.

“CYMS is obviously a strong side but the rest of the top five is really close. CYMS gave us a good indication of where we’re at a couple of weeks ago.

“If we can strengthen our edges and tighten that defence, we’ll be a shot.”

Forbes have easily the toughest run home of any side in Group 11.

After the Narromine trip, the black and whites take on the in-form Nyngan, Macquarie and derby rivals Parkes – the three sides they’re battling alongside for that top three berth.

The Magpies have the inside running courtesy of the best for-and-against record of any of those sides, but Greenhalgh knows his club will have to win virtually all of those games to cement their standing in the Group.

“It’s going to be tough but if we come through it we’ll know we’re playing well,” Greenhalgh said.

“We’ve got a young side this year and Jake (Grace), the captain-coach, leads by example and the boys respect that. Our pack as a whole has been a real strength of ours this season.

“Ben Maguire too, he’s been playing well, scoring a couple of tries a game. He’s been great for us. By the same token, if Narromine concentrates too much on Ben we’ll score points elsewhere.”

Forbes won the corresponding game in round one 44-14 – Greenhalgh didn’t expect the going to be as easy on Saturday.

He identified former Forbes gun Luke Thompson as the Jets’ biggest threat to a crucial Magpies victory.

“He’s fit and firing and close to the line Thommo is a handful. He’ll be marked,” he added.