Narrabri Blues will be hoping for a change of fortune this weekend, when they take on Gunnedah Bulldogs in their Group 4 Mother’s Day fixture this Sunday at Collins Park.
The club has been licking its wounds this week following their 42-28 point loss to West Lions last weekend.
The game, which was expected to be a tight contest, went in favour of the visiting Lions, with several Blues players now being ruled out of this weekend’s crunch match with Gunnedah through injury.
Key forward Jake Rumsby and Joseph Tago are both sidelined for the Bulldogs clash and have both pulled out of the Group 4 representative side that was expected to play the following weekend.
Blues president Jason Barnes said that losing the pair would be a massive blow for the team, but was hopeful that other players would setup in their absence.
“It’s obviously hard to replace those guys but John (Rumsby) and the coaching staff will work out the best way to go forward,” he said.
The team have received some good news ahead of the weekend, with playmaker Justin Knight making a return to the side after having wisdom teeth removed last week.
“Having Justin back will be a big boost for the team and we will benefit from his leadership and decision making ability on the field,” Barnes said.
“I think that’s what we definitely missed last game, was his presence on the field.”
Gunnedah Bulldogs only narrowly came away from Wee Waa with a 42-40 win last weekend.
Barnes, however, was not going to read into anything from the close finish against the Panthers, preferring to focus on the Blues’ preparations this week.
“You have to play week in, week out and not get caught up with other results,” he said.
“Gunnedah are a young, enthusiastic side and have a good group of players that have been together for a while now.
“I expect them to be pretty tough and physical and it should be a close one.”
“However that now counts for nothing heading into Sunday’s match.
Traditionally in the past Narrabri and Gunnedah games have been quiet competitive, with the Blues winning all fixtures against the Bulldogs last season.
Blues at this stage could not confirm who exactly would feature in the run-on side for Sunday’s clash.
In the other Group 4 matches being played this weekend, region rivals Wee Waa Panthers face a huge challenge when they travel to take on the North Tamworth Bears.
The Bears have set the standard in the Group 4 competition this season, and sent out a warning to their title rivals last week destroying newly-formed team Oxley Diggers 108-4.
Oxley will now face West Lions in a cross-town derby this weekend.
The club has been licking its wounds this week following their 42-28 point loss to West Lions last weekend.
The game, which was expected to be a tight contest, went in favour of the visiting Lions, with several Blues players now being ruled out of this weekend’s crunch match with Gunnedah through injury.
Key forward Jake Rumsby and Joseph Tago are both sidelined for the Bulldogs clash and have both pulled out of the Group 4 representative side that was expected to play the following weekend.
Blues president Jason Barnes said that losing the pair would be a massive blow for the team, but was hopeful that other players would setup in their absence.
“It’s obviously hard to replace those guys but John (Rumsby) and the coaching staff will work out the best way to go forward,” he said.
The team have received some good news ahead of the weekend, with playmaker Justin Knight making a return to the side after having wisdom teeth removed last week.
“Having Justin back will be a big boost for the team and we will benefit from his leadership and decision making ability on the field,” Barnes said.
“I think that’s what we definitely missed last game, was his presence on the field.”
Gunnedah Bulldogs only narrowly came away from Wee Waa with a 42-40 win last weekend.
Barnes, however, was not going to read into anything from the close finish against the Panthers, preferring to focus on the Blues’ preparations this week.
“You have to play week in, week out and not get caught up with other results,” he said.
“Gunnedah are a young, enthusiastic side and have a good group of players that have been together for a while now.
“I expect them to be pretty tough and physical and it should be a close one.”
“However that now counts for nothing heading into Sunday’s match.
Traditionally in the past Narrabri and Gunnedah games have been quiet competitive, with the Blues winning all fixtures against the Bulldogs last season.
Blues at this stage could not confirm who exactly would feature in the run-on side for Sunday’s clash.
In the other Group 4 matches being played this weekend, region rivals Wee Waa Panthers face a huge challenge when they travel to take on the North Tamworth Bears.
The Bears have set the standard in the Group 4 competition this season, and sent out a warning to their title rivals last week destroying newly-formed team Oxley Diggers 108-4.
Oxley will now face West Lions in a cross-town derby this weekend.