ALBURY Thunder is set to unleash one of the biggest halves in Group Nine history by playing Levi Freeman at five-eighth against Tumbarumba at Greenfield Park on Saturday.
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The back-rower, who weighs around 100kg, will be thrown into the position in a bid to halt Thunder’s four-match losing streak.
Coach Josh Cale said Freeman and halfback Daniel Johnson had worked well together at training this week.
“I watched the Kangaroos game the other day and we attacked a lot more on the line when Levi went to five-eighth after ‘Smithy’ (Andrew Smith) popped some ribs,” Cale said.
“He tried to push a few things.
“We aren’t trying to change his game but I think he will stiffen us up a bit.
“He’s obviously not a five-eighth but we think it’s the best thing for the team.
“He can see that and has put the team before himself.”
Freeman will go head-to-head with one of the premier players in the competition in Greens’ skipper Robbie Byatt.
Byatt was in outstanding form in their win over Brothers last weekend and will be keen to expose any chinks in Thunder’s armour.
“Robbie’s a good player, a really good competitor,” Cale said.
“He’s got Tumbarumba playing really well at the moment.
“They are improving and hopefully we can do the same thing at home on Saturday.
“Like I said last week, it’s a confidence thing for us and all we can do is keep working hard and the wheel will turn.”
Despite being winless since defeating Young 40-12 on May 13, Thunder retain fifth spot on the ladder on percentage from Junee and Temora.
The Diesels play Tumut and the Dragons meet Brothers.
The return of Smith from suspension is a huge boost for Thunder who missed his experience in last weekend’s loss to Junee.
The teams are:
Albury: 1 Mac Daly, 2 Daniel Jacobs, 3 Ben Taylor 4 Etuate Uaisele, 5 Joseph Veramu, 6 Levi Freeman, 7 Daniel Johnson, 8 Trenten King, 9 Andrew Smith, 10 Joe Silafau, 11 Jye Thompson, 12 Jon Huggett, 13 Dave Cowhan, 14 Matt Moseby, 15 Tuki Jackson, 16 Rex Sargeant, 17 Rhys Dawe, 18 Bronson Meehan.
Tumbarumba: 1 Jordan Anderson, 2 Nemia Uluimalolo, 3 Steven Arnold, 4 Braden Hunter, 5 Samuela Tavukilevu, 6 Robbie Byatt (cc), 7 Kane Hammond, 8 Matt Byatt, 9 Numiasasulu Tema, 10 Clayton Griffiths, 11 Nathan Hammond, 12 Brady Collins, 13 Zachary Richards, 14 Simione Maamaloa, 15 Keni Nadaro, 17 Matthew Salter.
