THE Bega Roosters will be fishing for Sharks in the top grade this Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The club will be out to secure grand final berths in all four senior grades in the major semi-final in Moruya.
The Bega club will meet the Sharks in the first and reserve grades, while the Chicks clash with the ladder-leading Narooma She Devils.
The undefeated under 18 Roosters will play the five-town combination that upset Moruya last weekend.
The Sharks secured the minor premiership in the findal round and the Roosters will need to be at their best.
Captain-coach Ryan Apps said the forward pack and second rowers would form the foundation of the match.
Especially considering Moruya’s front line will be headed up former State of Origin prop Michael Weyman.
Weyman boasts incredible upper body strength and clever offloads, while other wiley characters the Roosters will watch include Aaron Brierley and Jake Clarke.
“If he isn’t put to ground he’ll cause havoc to the outside defence,” Roosters president Garry Arkin said.
The Sharks also boast Group centre Pat McMahon and Cane Brierley, who have been regular try-scorers for the northern club.
Luke Jay is a formidable player out of the hooker position and makes big runs out of dummy half.
Bega will look to its busy pack to rise on the day and shake off the error rate that has crept into its game.
Team manager Jeff Apps and club officials were worried about the penalty counts against their side in recent games and will be looking to improve on this area.
“We have been on the receiving end in recent games and are desperate to turn this around,” Apps said.
Scott Fuller, Todd Ingram and Clay Childs will back up props Mitch Carter and Ryan Apps, while Hayden Parbery will again be prominent.
These two sides clashed in last year’s major-semi and will be set for another big game.
“If we can get away to a good start and get on the front foot and stay there, we will be in the contest for a long way,” Apps said.
In the reserve grade clash, the Roosters have met the Sharks twice this season.
Officials described both matches as battles of titanic proportion, with the last match a 12-12 draw.
The Sharks boast a number of quick-runners, while the Bega side will call on its big forward pack to control the ruck.
Roosters Captain Coach Wayne Northey is keen for his side to dominate the ruck from the opening whistle.
The danger for the bigger pack is fatigue in the second half and its here that the Roosters interchange will be important to keep a good balance of fresh players rotating through.
The Roosters grinded away to a tough 8-4 win over Candelo-Bemboka United last week and the score is expected to be similarly low.
Scott Barton will again play a leading role out of dummy half, while the return of Russell Northey has buoyed the Roosters.
Billy Hudson is playing sound footy in the ruck and Luke Hoskins is well disciplined.
“Jay Elliott is improving at each outing and is playing his best football at the right time of the season,” team manager David Armstrong said.
“We have experience in Dayne Burton and its in the big games that Burton can be the difference.”
It will certainly be a test as the Sharks are expected to pepper their roster with the up and coming under 18s.