Young Cherrypickers will look to consolidate their third-place standing this coming Sunday, as they travel to take on the Cootamundra Bulldogs at Les Boyd Oval in Cootamundra.
Putting together one of their most impressive performances for the season last time out against Tumut, Young have the chance to keep within striking distance of both Gundagai and Temora, while also keeping fourth placed Junee at bay with a win over the Bulldogs.
That task may be easier said than done, as Cootamundra will be desperate to keep in the fight for a top 5 spot, meaning Sunday’s outcome could have major consequences for whichever side comes up short.
A sixteen-point win over the Bulldogs in Round 5, 38-22, gave the Pickers bragging rights after the Alfred Oval encounter, and coaches Dan Barclay and Jayke Hogan will most certainly have their men locked in to repeat the dose.
Jonah Latu and Toa Porima are both marginal chances to be added to the side that defeated Tumut, and if both are given the green light, it will certainly bolster Young’s forward pack in their bid to match Cootamundra’s biggest strength in their own middle forwards.
Kane Ball is starting to find some match fitness after having a horrid run of injuries in the early part of the season, and how the spine combinations continue to develop will be an interesting watch for Pickers fans and coaching staff.
Young have had periods of complete dominance throughout games this season but have been guilty of lapses in concentration and letting games slip, or teams back into a contest, and they can ill afford to do that on Sunday, as a dangerous Bulldogs side may make the Pickers pay for any weak moments.
With a top three finish and a second chance come finals time at stake, if Young can control the Bulldogs’ power game, they certainly have the potential on the edges to create and finish scoring opportunities.
Kick-off for the First Grade game is at 2.30pm, with League Tag commencing at 11am.
Cherrypickers run home;
• Round 14: v Cootamundra (6th) – Away
• Round 15: v Gundagai (2nd) – Home
• Round 16: v Kangaroos (5th) – Home
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