The Forbes under 18s Magpies are hoping it will be fourth time lucky when they meet Dubbo CYMS for the grand final tomorrow.
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In their last three encounters, Forbes has managed to secure win after win, including a very decided 30-12 victory in the major semi-final.
Under 18s coach Cameron Greenhalgh is hoping the team will carry some of this confidence into the game against the notoriously physical Dubbo side.
“CYMS are a big side so we need to match them up front from the start and win the forward battle,” he said.
“Hopefully then we’ll get in a little bit of attacking football and that they are the first side to crack.”
The team has been training ferociously three times a week and Greenhalgh says his side has a good list of qualities to bring to the field.
“We’re mobile, tough and have a good mix of younger guys and more experienced guys,” he said.
“A lot of them have worked hard for a long time…they deserve this kind of success.”
The Magpies will be an almost full side when they run onto the field this weekend, with only Haig Carlisle unable to play due to a knee injury.
If the team succeed, it will be the first time since 2007 for the Forbes under 18s and Greenhalgh says his players have been training for the grand final all season.
“Since the start of the year we’ve been building towards this day,” he said.
“I can’t fault the boys in their progress- they’re a good bunch of kids and their work ethic in training and their attitude can’t be faulted.”
In support of the players, many businesses in Forbes have decorated their shop fronts with Magpies colours and Greenhalgh thanked everyone for getting behind the team.
“I’d like to thank the town for their support, the club and thanks to the committee for giving me the chance to coach these guys,” he said.
“Hopefully we can reward everyone with an under 18’s premiership.”
Kick off is at 12.45pm on Dubbo’s Caltex Oval.
FORBES UNDER 18S LINEUP: 1. Sam Williams, 2. Jarrod Andrews. 3. Sam Tyack, 4. Jarrod Nicholson, 5. Pat Murphy, 6. Mitch Burke, 7. Nick Greenhalgh, 8. Brad Herbert, 9. Hayden Bolam, 10. Ben Schofield, 11. Traie Merritt, 12. Chris Judd, 13. Bailey Hartwig, 14. Dylan Gunn, 15. Jared Masonwells, 16. Will Dukes, 17. Matt Woolnough, 18. Izaac Scott, 19. Haig Carlisle (injured) 20. Mitch Andrews, 21. Kailab Tyne.