THE Steamers will experiment with Tom Wilmore at halfback when Temora comes to Murrayfield today.
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The Englishman will slot into No. 9 for the first time since a knee injury derailed his 2014.
But he won’t be the only change with the blue and golds missing fellow Englishman Dave Coyle and frontrower Andrew Scott, while Dan Cottrell is expected to return to the squad to take on the Tuskers.
Wilmore says he doesn’t care where he plays for the Steamers.
“I played a lot of my football at No. 9 but this year I’ve spent a fair bit of time interchanging at 12 and 13 and that has been great playing outside Richard Manion and Blake Le Cornu,” he said.
“I guess the shift closer to the action gives me the chance to dictate play and also exploit any gaps on the edge of the ruck.
“But with this backline you are happy to slot into whatever position is available.
“Hugh Erwin has been great at halfback and he’ll move to the wing but the plan is that we can switch around as and when required.”
I guess the shift closer to the action gives me the chance to dictate play and also exploit any gaps on the edge of the ruck.
- Tom Wilmore
The Steamers will lock up top spot before the competition splits into two divisions with a win today against a Temora side that has won just the two games and conceded more than 40 points a match.
But coach Mick Raynes rejects any notion that the blue and golds are taking this weekend lightly.
“Tom Wilmore is an outstanding footballer and we have been looking at running him at halfback for some time,” he said.
“It’s not that we are taking Temora lightly just the fact that we finally have the full backline to pick from for the first time all year.”
Wilmore, in his second year at the Steamers, believes they have lifted.
“I think if you just take a line through the ladder — where last year we were fighting for a spot in the finals to this year where we have lost just the one game and are on top,” he said.
“I don’t think too many sides are weaker, I just think we have improved.
“There has been the return Of Jimmy Olds and the arrival of Lex Botha in the backs, along with Dave Coyle in the forwards.
“Then you have Dan Cottrell, who has trained just one night and was best on the ground in our first game against Waratahs.
“There is quality across the park.”