Cootamundra Bulldogs face minor premiers in major semi-final

Matt Knagge, Zac Rumble, Sam Sheahan and Damon Jackson have not all been on the field together at the same time for the under 16s this season. 

That will change on Sunday when all four take to the field for the under 16s clash with the minor premiers. 

Coach Ben Warner is excited about the possibilities.

“It’ll be exciting to watch them all play together again,” he said. 

When the Bulldogs last played the Kangaroos neither side dominated and the game ended in a 14-all draw.  

“We were the better side last time,” Warner said.

“We need to work on our attack and we can win.”

The draw was played in wet, heavy conditions and it’s looking like this weekend’s game will be similar.

Warner thinks that the wet plays into his team’s hands. 

The under 16s have been plagued this season by slow starts, they’ve let their opposition score first in most of their games.

The opening few minutes is an area that Warner has been focusing on this week.

“If we can complete our first five sets I don’t think they’ll get near us,” he said. 

“If we play two good halves we’ll be in control.”

The Kangaroos have a number of strike players in the forwards and the 16s will need to neutralise them early on.

“It’ll be up to the forwards to lay the platform to allow the backs to score,” Warner said. 

If the Bulldogs win they progress directly to the grand final.

If they lose they get another bite at the cherry and will play in the preliminary final for a spot in the decider. 

Their opposition in the preliminary final would be the winner of the minor semi between Albury and Gundagai. 

The Bulldogs have beaten both these teams during the year so a grand final spot is a real possibility. 

The team knows what’s ahead of them and are raring to go.

“All the boys are really keen, they can’t wait to get out there,” Warner said.