THEY have the players, now Young coach Luke Branighan hopes the Cherrypickers can get on a roll when they travel to play Albury Thunder in tomorrow’s Group 9.
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And having beaten Wagga Brothers last week 44-26, Branighan will hope his new crop of talent is beginning to gel and can bring down the reigning premier for the first time since May 6, 2007.
“We’re a new side, we’ve had a big turnover of players in the off season and our combinations are still coming together,” he said.
“We had a win against Brothers last week but we played well in patches and we need to play a lot better than that if we are going to trouble Albury.
“But the side I’ve got I’m very happy with, we’ve signed some top line recruits and hopefully last week’s win will kick-start our season.”
Among the players Branighan has recruited is former US international Tui Samoa, who played in the 2013 World Cup.
Neil Thorman has arrived from the UK, while big prop Isaac Maliota has come from French club Limoux Grizzlies in the Elite One Championship in France.
Meanwhile, Carl Planicka has been brought in from Cowra and lock Matt Wakefield, who has a call up for Saturday’s rep game, from Woy Woy.
“We’re lucky these guys have come from probably stronger competitions and played a high level of football,” Branighan said.
“And their experience will blend in with the good local talent we’ve got.
“We just need to look after our own back yard — if we play to our potential we’re always going to be a chance of winning games.
“We’ve had a mixed season so far but every game we’ve been a chance of winning.
“And if we’re serious about doing well we need to get a win this weekend.”
But Branighan said taking on the Thunder on their home turf was never an easy proposition.
“Ever since I’ve been playing in Group 9 a road trip to Albury is the toughest trip and the toughest away game,” he said.
“Even though they’re probably not in the best form at the moment, they’re a quality side and have dominated this competition for the past three years.
“So I have no doubt it will be a good, physical battle.”
Thunder coach Ben Jeffery must pass a fitness test after missing last weekend with an ankle injury and shapes as a vital inclusion as Thunder attempts to avoid three successive losses for the first time since 2008.
Matt Wakefield will play representative football as will Thunder’s Cowhan brothers, Dave and Andrew.
“We just need to play to our potential and stop their attacking threat and if we do that we’re some sort of chance of going OK,” Branighan said.
