Cover Photo: Billy Dickinson
Tallon Smith
It was a simultaneously positive and negative outing for the Leeton Greenies on Saturday night as the side drew 30-all with cross-town rivals Yanco-Wamoon in the local derby at the Leeton No.1 Oval.
Following their loss to Tullibigeal-Lakes United the week prior, Saturday’s result and the Sharks’ win over West Wyalong the next day saw the Galloping Greens slip from third to fourth on the Group 20 ladder.
However, the draw against the Hawks, who were competition leaders heading into the weekend, also proved the side deserves to be in premiership discussions alongside Yanco and and competition leaders Griffith Waratahs as finals football draws closer.
Leeton coach Billy Dickinson said while the stalemate brought about mixed emotions for the teams and spectators alike, the final scoreline was an adequate depiction of the 80 minutes that preceded it.
“Local derby, no one wants to really see a draw, but I think it was a pretty good reflection of the game, it was pretty even throughout,” he said.
“It was just that well-balanced, each team had their chance, and it ended in a draw, so I think both teams are angry not to get the two points but happy not to lose.”
Sitting four games clear of sixth-placed Griffith Black and Whites with four rounds to play, the Greenies are all but assured of another year of postseason football.
However, with the battle for a top three spot heating up following TLU’s stunning six-game winning run, Dickinson said the side would ideally like to reclaim their spot and earn a qualifying final berth rather than face elimination from week one of the playoffs.
“We’d obviously like to get that back because you get the double chance later in the finals,” he said.
“All we can do is keep winning games, and that’s all it is going to come down to really.
“We are not too fazed about where everyone is on the ladder, if we just keep winning and playing good footy, I think we will be happy with that.
“With the finals you just have to show up and beat whoever is in front of you, so it doesn’t really matter what position you finish on the ladder and where you are.”
The competition ladder is: Griffith Waratahs (26 points), Yanco-Wamoon (25), Tullibigeal-Lakes United (20), Leeton (20), West Wyalong (14), Griffith Black & Whites (12), Darlington Point-Coleambally (11), Hay (6), Yenda (6).
LEETON 30 (Vula Wate, Kyson Freer, Beniel Dakunibubului, Beau Griffiths, Jesse Watson tries; Elwyn Ravu 5 goals) DREW WITH YANCO-WAMOON 30 (Mesulame Navakayala, Glen Borg, John Wharepapa-Rawiri, Jim Dabea, Caleb Atkinson tries; Shannon Bradbrook 4, Glen Borg goals) at Leeton No.1 Oval, Saturday July 18.
