Charged with facing reigning Group 10 premiers Mudgee in the opening round of the Bathurst Panthers Knockout on Friday night, you’d be forgiven for thinking Orange Hawks might struggle to progress.
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Don’t count those chickens though.
The two blues have put together what’s expected to be a more than handy side in 2016, which will be unleashed against the Dragons.
Two blues juniors Jedd Kenneddy, Jack Aumuller, Jake Blimka and Nathan Potts – Hawks’ 2016 player of the year – will line-up alongside new captain-coach Willie Heta, with fellow big name recruits Ethan McKeller, Jordan Dwyer and Sione Tongia also expected to turn out.
In a massive development for Hawks, former Blayney Bears hooker Bobbie Brown was cleared to play for the two blues and has trained with the side leading into the knockout.
He’s expected to don the No.9 jersey, which will provide Hawks with a streak of flair and elusiveness in the dummy-half role.
Brown, five-eighth Heta and fullback Jedd Kennedy will form three quarters of a potentially formidable two blues spine.
Heta confirmed he will use the knockout as a final trial for his side, ahead of the two blues’ Group 10 premier league round one clash against the Bears next weekend. It’s been moved forward, from April 16.
“I think the boys that have been training can’t wait to start ripping in,” Heta said.
“The knockout … will sort of show who has the goods and who doesn’t so we can start forming a side heading into round one.”
The knockout ... will show who has the goods and who doesn’t.
- Hawks captain-coach Willie Heta
Heta said he’s been impressed by Hawks’ younger contingent, many of whom endured, but also shone in, the side’s disappointing 2016 campaign.
Now he’s looking for them to take that effort at training and turn it into strong on-field performances.
“The younger guys there last year have been there week-in, week-out,” Heta said.
Orange CYMS’ camp has been somewhat quiet in recent weeks but under Mick Sullivan’s tutelage will no doubt have been training the house down leading into this weekend’s knockout.
The green and golds take on Blayney in round one of the knockout, from 7.15pm. Hawks’ clash against Mudgee kicks off at 8.45pm.
All the games will be played at Carrington Park as usual. The knockout starts on Friday and continues on Sunday.
Also in the opening round of the premier league knockout, Cowra faces Oberon and Bathurst Panthers play St Pat’s in a local derby while Lithgow Workies has the bye. They’ll face the winner of CYMS and Blayney.
The finals will kick off at noon on Sunday’s second day of the knockout.