ALBURY Thunder coach Josh Cale believes his team will have to find another gear to defeat Temora at Greenfield Park on Sunday.
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While Cale was pleased to return to the winning list against Tumbarumba, he expects the Dragons to be a tougher proposition.
“Tumbarumba was definitely strong and took it up to us but Temora has some quality players in there,” Cale said.
“Grant Boyd, Hayden Philp is as strong a ball runner I’ve seen in the Riverina and then you have Nathan McGowan on the edges and Chris Maher.
“We will have our work cut out for us.
“We’re at home though and need to put in another good performance.”
Thunder turned in one of their best showings of the home and away series to edge out Temora in round one and another win would dramatically bolster their finals chances.
Injured Mac Daly will be replaced by Bronson Meehan at fullback with Lachie Hampton likely to resume playing in reserve grade.
“We are pretty settled this week,” he said.
“It’s disappointing for Mac but ‘Bronto’ gets his chance now.”
With only five premiership points separating fifth-placed Thunder and ninth-placed Brothers, Cale said the side couldn’t afford to look beyond Sunday’s match.
“We aren’t looking too much at the ladder,” he said.
“It’s all about a game at a time.
“All the sides we play are virtually around us so we can’t afford to slip up.
“Temora is a really tough test.”
In other matches, Gundagai will be without centre Damian Willis for its clash with Tumut.
Willis faces a six-week stint on the sidelines after breaking his hand in last weekend’s massive victory over Cootamundra.
Junee coach Matt Hands has announced he will be stepping down as coach next season ahead of the Diesels’ clash with Cootamundra.
“This will be the finish for me with coaching,” Hands said.
“I’ll be staying on (as a player).”
Hands is presently sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Kangaroos star Jack Lyons has been named on the bench to play against Southcity.
He has been out since breaking his hand in round one.
Tumut do battle with Tumbarumba.
The ladder is: Gundagai 20, Southcity 19, Young 17, Tumut 15, Albury 12, Kangaroos 10, Junee 10, Temora 10, Brothers 9, Tumbarumba 5, Cootamundra 5.
