Sitting fourth on the table, the Yabbies are doing well, despite a rough start to the season with three back-to-back losses against Harden, Boorowa and Cootamundra.
But, with a string of wins against Temora, Wyalong, Condo and Grenfell, Secretary Andrew Rice says they are more than back on track for a cracking season.
Recently taking on the Grenfell Panthers on home ground, the Yabbies took home a momentous score of 45-14 home, proving themselves a team to keep an eye on ahead of their match against Harden, who currently sit in the top spot.
“They are beatable,” says Andrew.
“They play a pretty predictable form of football [that] they’ve been playing for the last couple of years.”
A fan of a “big pack”, Andrew says he likes to pack down behind a few “solid blokes” to dominate the opposition, something he says Harden struggles with.
The Yabbies have taken on more abattoir workers this year and Andrew says the recent popularity of beef has hit them directly in their numbers with many workers asked to come in on a Saturday.
“That’s been a logistical challenge this season, but we seem to be doing okay,” he says.
On their first training session of the year, Andrew says they only have nine players in total turn up but have managed to keep a consistent 15 to 20 players each session now.
Coach Matty Tonkin is putting the boys through their paces with fitness on every day.
“We’re pretty fit and mobile, which is the strength we try to play to against our opponents,” says Andrew.
“It’s definitely a very tight competition this year. The top five team have pulled away from the bottom three, but I’d say Harden and Boorowa are pretty comfortable going to finish in 1st.
“They’re fighting for number one, but two and five are definitely still up in the air.”
Now busy preparing for their matchup against Harden, Andrew says they’re keen for a battle.
“It’s been a while since Young has gotten the wood over Harden,” he says.
“Harden has certain become our hoodoo team or boogeymen team, so, certainly we’re going to try to exercise the demon on Saturday.
“Harden has a tough stretch as they had all their home games in the first round. Now they have a lot of travelling in this one, so it will be a test for the team.”
Young’s Yabettes will also take on Harden’s Red Devils on Saturday following their loss to Grenfell with a score of 12-48.
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