ALBURY Thunder coach Ben Jeffery is bracing his team for a fierce opening West Wyalong Knockout match against Orange CYMS on Friday night.
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Jeffery expects last year’s Group 11 premiers to be one of the teams to beat in the lucrative knockout.
“They are always hard to beat,” Jeffery said.
“We’ll need to play well against Mitch (Davis) and the boys.”
Albury will take a competitive line-up with Levi Freeman, Jon Huggett and Mitch Seaton the most notable absentees.
Recruits Shannon Rupapere and Jay Little will debut, along with recent Red Bend signing Zac Redfern.
“Zac looks good,” Jeffery said.
“He will give us depth in the halves and be pressing for a spot.”
The teams will lock horns at 9.50pm with the winner to tackle Group 9 champions Gundagai in the quarter-finals.
The Tigers have the bye in the first round.
