Lions looking to roar over Goannas
A week after turning in its best performance of the season to sweep aside Collingullie-Ashmont-Kapooka by 25 points, GGGM will be keen to add another scalp to its record and dent the confidence of MCUE.
GGGM coach Jayden Kotzur rated the Lions’ win over CAK as the best of the season but said it was critical the club backed it up with another sterling performance this weekend.
“I would say it was our best four-quarter effort for the season,” Kotzur said.
“We had been playing well in patches but that was probably the first time we put a really strong four quarters together.
“It probably came down to a couple of things but we had pretty much a full-strength team available and it has probably taken a little while for us to adjust to the game-plan.
“Everything clicked into gear last weekend and our pressure was fantastic so we want to keep that up against Mango.”
GGGM has been one of the most consistent teams of the season and the Lions sit in second position on the ladder with seven wins and two losses.
Last week’s victory pushed GGGM two games clear of the chasing pack of CAK, Wagga Tigers and MCUE with all three of those teams sitting on 24 points and occupying positions three to five on the ladder.
MCUE will enter Saturday’s clash with a four and four win-loss ratio and the Goannas will be looking for a victory to enhance their finals prospects.
The two teams met in round two with GGGM prevailing by 16 points at Ganmain Sportsground and Kotzur said the Lions were aware of the strengths of MCUE.
“They have some really young and quick players and a quality midfield,” Kotzur said.
“They have some good young kids so we need to get on top early and try to stamp them out to win the game.
“We need to watch their run and spread.”
Kotzur said GGGM was likely to have a full-strength team available to choose from at selection tonight and said the Lions would be concentrating on maintaining efficiency with their ball movement against MCUE.
“We need to use the run and carry ourselves,” Kotzur said.
“We need to get the ball to our better users and let them use it well.
“Sometimes we have missed a few targets so we will be looking to make sure our skills, by hand and foot, are right on.”
After taking up the coaching reins at the end of last year, Kotzur said he was enjoying the role and admitted GGGM was pleased with its performances over the first nine games of the season.
“We are happy, but we are not complacent,” Kotzur said.
“We still have plenty to work on.
“You have to be on your game every week in this competition or you will get beat.”
The game between MCUE and GGGM looms as the match-of-the-round but Saturday will also feature a grand final re-match between CAK and Narrandera at Crossroads Oval and a crucial contest between Leeton-Whitton and Griffith at Exies Oval.
Reigning premier Narrandera has slipped back to eighth on the ladder and needs a win to boost its confidence and chances of making the final.
Leeton and Griffith are also both locked on 16 points, two wins outside the top-five, and the finals aspirations of the loser of Saturday’s game will plummet.
Wagga Tigers will be holding a 1993-1994-1995 premiership reunion this weekend when the club plays host to Turvey Park at Robertson Oval on Saturday.
RFL round 11
Saturday
CAK v Narrandera at Crossroads Oval
Leeton v Griffith at Leeton Showground
MCUE v GGGM at Mangoplah Sportsground
Wagga Tigers v Turvey Park at Robertson Oval
Coolamon bye
