MCUE’s focus is on Turvey Park
With five rounds remaining until the commencement of the finals series, MCUE sits one game clear of Leeton-Whitton in fifth position on the ladder and the Goannas’ finals destiny is in their own hands.
However, MCUE captain Trent Cohalan revealed the team had not spoken about finals and was concentrating on a week-by-week approach, starting with the game against Turvey Park at Mangoplah Sportsground on Saturday.
“Finals hasn’t really been discussed any further than Nath (coach Nathon Irvin) pointing out that we aren’t there yet,” Cohalan said.
“We still need to win at the very least three of our last five games to give ourselves the best opportunity.
“Finals doesn’t just happen for you because you are sitting pretty five games out, that’s the message that has been getting across to the playing group.
“We can’t afford to be lackadaisical thinking we will play finals because that’s when you can drop a game and a side like Leeton knocks off a top side and all of a sudden you are on the outer again and under pressure to perform.”
After beating Leeton in a crucial game prior to last weekend’s general bye, MCUE can take another definitive step towards booking its finals position by conquering Turvey Park on Saturday.
While MCUE is vying for a win, Leeton will face a tough assignment against a Collingullie-Ashmont-Kapooka at Leeton Showground and a victory to the Goannas could see the club move further clear in the race for a finals berth.
Cohalan said MCUE was treating the Turvey Park game as one of the most important matches of the season.
“We can’t afford to drop off at all for the rest of the year,” Cohalan said.
“Leeton is breathing down our necks and will be waiting for us to have a slip-up.
“They (Leeton) are capable of springing a couple of upsets so we need to turn up each week.
“This week is extra important because if we keep winning it puts a bit more pressure back on them (Leeton) to keep winning and if they slip-up then we can get a two-game break and a bit of breathing space.”
While MCUE would be heavily favoured to overcome bottom-placed Turvey Park, Cohalan said the Goannas would not make the mistake of underestimating the Bulldogs.
Cohalan pointed to Turvey Park’s last-round victory over reigning premier Narrandera as evidence that MCUE would need to be at its best to overcome the Bulldogs.
“The form line of the competition has been hard to read all year and I think any side on their day can knock off any other side,” Cohalan said.
“At no point do we go into a game thinking that the game is won before it starts.
“Regardless of where you are on the ladder and who you have to play, you need 22 blokes showing up each week otherwise you go home with your tail between your legs.
“Turvey has some real quality players.”
Cohalan said MCUE would be looking to employ its normal game-plan and would be hoping to get some quality delivery to key forwards Ryan Price and Harry Collins.
“Our game-plan doesn’t change much game to game,” Cohalan said.
“When we’re playing our best footy is when we leave our forward-line open.
“We have some blokes who can clunk a grab so if we can leave them one out in the 50 it makes it difficult to stop.”
MCUE will be without the services of star recruit Andrew Lieschke this week while midfielder Guy Ward also faces a battle to be fit after injuring his groin against Leeton.
MCUE will welcome back young gun Jock Cornell (pictured) from NSW Rams under 16 representative commitments along with tough defender Jack Killalea.
It will be a big day at Mangoplah Sportsground on Saturday with a Riverina Rams versus Grey Goannas veterans’ game scheduled for 5pm following the first grade fixture.
RFL – round 14
Saturday
Leeton-Whitton v CAK at Leeton Showground
MCUE v Turvey Park at Mangoplah Sportsground
Wagga Tigers v Griffith at Robertson Oval
Sunday
Coolamon v Narrandera at Kindra Park
