Cover Photo: Tahlia Crane Photography
Tallon Smith
Not even the loss of a star playmaker early in the match could derail Temora’s now eight-game winning streak as it piled on 12 tries to remain on top of the ladder with a 64-10 victory over Albury at Nixon Park on Saturday.
Dragons five-eighth Lachie Cole was taken from the field as a precaution 10 minutes into the match after being injured in scoring a try, with Will McDermott shifting into the halves and Nicholas Bett coming into the game at centre as part of the reshuffle.
Temora coach Jordon Burley said it was more good fortune than anything that he selected Bett to back up from reserve grade, which accommodated McDermott’s return to his former position, where he performed strongly.
“We were probably lucky, I decided to put Nick Bett on the bench for us after playing a full game of ressies, and he’s a centre, so we were lucky we had him,” he said.
“He slotted into centre and Will McDermott played six for us and did a really good job, considering I don’t think he’s had a training run in six or even thought about playing there this year.
“He was superb, and did not look out of place at all, and did a really good job, so full credit to Will.”
On the field, it was one way traffic in the first half as the Dragons ran in seven tries to take a 34-0 lead to the break, with a further four-pointer to Brandon Nima to begin the second half seeing the scoreline reach 40-0.
Nate Broekman finally replied for Albury, with the fullback scoring the first of his two tries, but normal traffic resumed soon after as the home side posted 64 points against the Thunder for the second time this season to send a warning to the rest of the competition on the eve of the finals.
Burley said he was “stoked” with the result given Albury’s recent form, after the Thunder got the better of Gundagai and Cootamundra and pushed Junee all the way in their last three games.
“Albury have been in some good form the last four to five weeks, so I expected a really strong challenge today,” he said.
“Take the scoreboard away from it, they are a very physical side, they’re quite strong through the middle and they make you earn every run you have, so it probably wasn’t as easy as the scoreboard reflects.
“We have got some sore bodies, but really pleased to score some good points and defend quite well to keep them to 10 as well.”
Having now won eight games in a row, the only thing standing between the Dragons and the minor premiership is a huge pre-finals test against defending premiers and joint competition leaders Gundagai on Saturday.
Despite the high-stakes nature of the match and the opportunity to make a statement against the Tigers on their home turf at Anzac Park, Burley said his side’s mindset will be the same as it has been for every other match this season.
“We have been taking it week by week all year, and I don’t think that will change,” he said.
“We’ve had the luxury to rest a few blokes for the last three to four weeks, which has been good, so everyone’s had a rest now and should be fresh to roll into the back end of the year.
“Obviously Gundy at Gundy’s going to be really tough, and the minor premiership is up for grabs, but we’ll just be looking to play good footy and stick to everything we’ve been doing this year and keep building towards September.
“They are coming off two really good wins, so they are going to be up as well, and it’s going to be a really good challenge, so [I’m] looking forward to it.”
Cole is expected to be fit to play in the match.
Albury will host Tumut at Greenfield Park next Sunday to round out its season.
TEMORA 64 (Brodie Mirtschin 2, Brandon Nima 2, Will McDermott, Lachie Cole, Bailey Wallace, Nicholas Bett, Hamish Starr, Jake McGovern, Drew Robinson, Billy Reardon tries; McGovern 8 goals) DEFEATED ALBURY 10 (Nate Broekman 2 tries; goal) at Nixon Park, Saturday August 15.
Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that the half time score was 36-0, when it was in fact 34-0. It also stated that Drew Robinson scored the first try of the second half, when it was Brandon Nima. The story has been amended to reflect this.
