Scoreboard pressure the key in RFL blockbuster

This was the frank assessment of GGGM captain-coach Jayden Kotzur (pictured) who declared the Lions would need to take all of their opportunities in front of goals to have a chance of toppling unbeaten Coolamon in the final round top-of-the-table blockbuster on Sunday.

“We have to put away all of our chances,” Kotzur said.

“They (Coolamon) are just so good defensively.

“They have the least amount of points scored against in the competition by a couple of hundred.

“They are also very good at rebounding from halfback and they create a lot from their backline as well.

“We need to take our chances and put on some scoreboard pressure.”

Kotzur’s comments ring particularly true following GGGM’s last performance against Coolamon in round nine at Ganmain Sportsground.

On that day GGGM had 21 scoring shots to Coolamon’s 16 but the Lions kicked a wasteful 7.14 and eventually went down by five points.

Coolamon has continued its perfect winning sequence since the near-loss to GGGM and the Hoppers will complete the home-and-away season on top of the ladder and with the minor premiership regardless of Sunday’s result.

GGGM has been the clear pick as the second best team in the competition to date with 12 wins and three losses and the Lions will finish the season in second spot and will play Collingullie-Ashmont-Kapooka in the qualifying final next weekend.

Kotzur rated Coolamon as deserved flag favourites and said GGGM was looking forward to testing itself against the best just one week prior to the commencement of the finals series.

“Without a doubt, they have been the best team in the competition,” Kotzur said.

“There is no better way for us to prepare than to play Coolamon this weekend.

“They are always big games against Coolamon for us with the rivalry and there is plenty to play for.

“This will be a great chance for us to see where we are sitting.”

After a shock loss to Wagga Tigers in round 13, GGGM has returned to form with three booming victories over Leeton-Whitton, Narrandera and Griffith and Kotzur said the Lions were hitting their straps at the right time of the season.

“It could have went either way after the Tigers game and we had that long break then with the byes,” Kotzur said.

“But the boys have come back really strongly and the last three weeks have been really pleasing.

“It has been a good preparation leading into the finals.”

Star GGGM forward Jarrod Conway made a return from a hamstring injury in reserve grade last weekend and Kotzur said he would be assessed at training his week before a decision was made on whether he would play Coolamon.

GGGM could also welcome back Damian Walsh to the team this weekend.

“We will see how he (Conway) pulled up and go from there,” Kotzur said.

“Damian Walsh will probably be available so hopefully we will have a full list to choose from.”

RFL round 18

Saturday

CAK v Turvey Park at Crossroads Oval

Griffith v MCUE at Exies Oval

Leeton-Whitton v Wagga Tigers at Leeton Showground

Sunday

Coolamon v GGGM at Kindra Park