ALBURY Thunder star Willie Heta has put the disappointment of being overlooked for the Riverina team behind him and is focused on winning a third successive premiership.
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Heta was surprisingly left out of the side despite starring for Group 9 in their 44-28 win over Group 20 at Wagga earlier this month and admits the decision may have affected his game as he looked to prove a point.
But the former Auckland Vulcans player said yesterday he had moved on and was looking forward to Thunder’s top-of-the-table clash against Southcity at Harris Park tomorrow.
“I was disappointed on the night because I thought selection was based on performance,” Heta said.
“I was pretty down about it.
“Josh (Cale) thinks it affected my game as I have been trying to get out there and force things and show them why I should have been picked.
“I have got it off my chest now and I’m a bit over it.
“I’m looking to have a blinder this week so I’m feeling good.”
The gun five-eighth is looking to take on extra responsibility for Albury tomorrow with teammates Lou Goodwin, Mitch Davis and Ben Jeffery playing for Riverina at Singleton.
"Josh (Cale) thinks it affected my game as I have been trying to get out there and force things and show them why I should have been picked. I have got it off my chest now and I’m a bit over it."
- WILLIE HETA
The Bulls will have coach Daniel Fitzhenry, Nick Skinner, Peter Little and Nathan Rose doubling up.
“It’s a big game,” Heta said.
“Southcity are one of those teams who stay under the radar.
“They started slowly but had a good win against Gundagai and are always hanging around the top four.”
Albury has taken time to settle in recent wins against Cootamundra and Tumut and won’t have that luxury against one of the best backlines in the competition tomorrow with Little and his teammates ready to strike.
“We need to start this game off strongly,” he said.
“I think we have been our own worst enemy in that regard.
“We have been waiting for things to happen and once we get that right we should be fine.”
In-form Jake Grace looks set to miss another week with a knee injury while hooker Adam Coote was dropped to reserve grade last weekend for breaking team rules and will be sweating on a recall.
Albury, who won a thriller against Southcity in the West Wyalong Knockout final earlier this year, is sitting two wins clear of the second-placed Bulls and another victory would go a long way towards sealing the minor premiership after just six rounds.
In other matches this weekend, Brothers should enter the top five by defeating Junee, Gundagai’s home advantage will be telling against Tumbarumba, Cootamundra and Kangaroos should turn on a thriller at Fisher Park and Young will take the honours against winless Tumut.
