Johnny Mafiti might call the backline home this season but it was some knowledge from his days in the front-row that proved decisive in Saturday's outstanding Blowes Clothing Cup contest between the Dubbo Kangaroos and Forbes Platypi.
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In a match which will take some beating as game of the season, the Roos escaped with a 31-29 win after Forbes' Dan Higgins missed a penalty goal attempt right on full-time.
It had seemed the Platypi were destined to score a first win of the season when they had led heading into the final five minutes but Mafiti burrowed over from close range after some sustained pressure to put the hosts back in front late on at a wet Apex Oval.
In a game which had more swings of momentum than it did scrums, there was one more late piece of drama but Higgins' attempt missed to leave the Roos firmly entrenched in the top two.
A regular in the front-row for the Roos in recent seasons, Mafiti put in a huge amount of work in the off-season and returned to the field a vastly slimmer and fitter version of himself.
That resulted into him making the move to the backline and forming a dangerous centre combination with Filisione Pauta.
He's earned plenty of praise from coach Beau Robinson and teammates for his work ethic and scored a double on Saturday, the second and match-winning five-pointer courtesy of a pick and drive more often seen prior to this season.
"I used to play in the forwards and the forward's instinct kicked in," he said with a smile.
"I thought I'd give it one more crack and I was happy the ref was there at the right place at the right time."
The Platypi had earlier shout out to a 14-0 lead in a matter of minutes and led 24-19 at half-time.
The visitors had both flyhalf Andrew Saar and winger Taylor Krause out for the second half, the latter following a high shot from Tim Beach that resulted in a penalty try, but they still stuck it to the Roos.
It seemed they would clinch victory until that final few action-packed minutes.
"It just shows how we can play and we were very close ... I'm very happy with the boys and this shows what we're capable of," Forbes captain Jack Hammond said.
The result means the Roos maintain pressure on leaders Emus, who had handed the Dubbo side its first loss of the season a week prior.
"Last weekend we could have won but we didn't so the boys were hurting and the goal was to just get that win," Mafiti said.
In the other grades Forbes colts lost 21-26 and wolf pack 0-12.
Our women's side had to forfeit with injury woes.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
