After seven rounds, the Mudgee Dragons’ premier league side sits in 7th place on the ladder and looks to edge closer to the top four when they welcome competition heavyweights Cowra to Glen Willow on Sunday.
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The Magpies are second with four wins and have turned in staunch performances against Bathurst Panthers and Oberon Tigers so far this season.
Just like Cowra, Mudgee has a unique home-field advantage as its a three-hour trip for the Magpies on Sunday. The game, although a blockbuster, will be minus some star power as each side is missing one of its most influential players.
Cowra is without gun fullback Jeremy Gordon as the ex-Panther injured his ankle during last week’s 21-20 win over St Pat’s, while Mudgee is missing dynamic prop Chanse Burgess who also played a key role in a win over St Pat’s before the Dragons’ bye.
Burgess was slapped with a two-match ban after committing a shoulder charge against St Pat’s.
Mudgee will miss not only his go-forward, but the impact he’s made via ball distribution as he more often than not gets his arm free and looks for an offload.
Regardless of who’s in and who’s out, Jared Robinson’s week-to-week approach hasn’t changed – hang on to the footy.
“If we can complete at a decent percentage rate we can definitely be in the game,” the Dragons’ skipper said.
“We will we just concentrate on what we need to do well.”
Group 10’s premier league has been a complete mystery in recent weeks and according to ‘Robbo’ the volatile nature of the competition makes each week even more exciting.
“Results have been see-sawing every week,” he said.
“It’s almost impossible to pick the result which is great for Group 10.”
The Magpies have been one of the more successful sides so far and Robinson attributes that to the return of Steve Sutton to the coaching position.
“They have been the giant killers so far this year with big changes to their roster and Sutton back coaching,” he said.
“If we don’t play to our potential, they could really teach us a lesson.”
A loss to Cowra could spell disaster for Mudgee’s campaign as it would see the Red V fall to two wins, five losses at the half way point of the competition.
Mudgee’s league tag, under 18s and second grade sides will all play at Glen Willow before premier league kicks off at 1.50pm.
Jake Humphreys
Sports nut at the Central Western Daily.
Sports nut at the Central Western Daily.
