The Rock-Yerong Creek head to McPherson Oval on Saturday knowing it’s going to take quite an improvement to avoid back-to-back losses early in the season.
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The Pies were rolled by Marrar by 57 points last Friday night and coach Tom Yates expects North Wagga won’t be too far off the Bombers’ standard.
“They’ll be a good side – they’re on top of the ladder for a reason,” Yates said.
“We’ll definitely have our work cut out for us so it will be an interesting one.”
Yates wants to see TRYC improve their pressure game against the Saints. He’s happy to welcome back David Pieper (calf) against an in-form midfield unit including Cayden Winter, Corey Watt and Lachie Highfield.
The Pies haven’t ruled out Luke Webb making his first appearance after injuring a hamstring in their pre-season game. He’s been named as an emergency but could come into a side that kicked just three goals last week.
Yates said TRYC’s shortage of firepower forward was compounded by skill errors up the ground against Marrar.
“Obviously it was disappointing to lose the way we did,” Yates said.
“I thought the first half wasn’t too bad then the third and fourth quarter we just dropped right back, skill errors cost us dearly.”
But Yates said it’s far from “doom and gloom” for a side with a host of new faces still getting used to playing together.
And they have Dale Hugo returning via reserve grade, where Josh Meiselbach is also gaining match fitness. And Dennis Pedemont is expected back at the club in the next month or so.
Meanwhile, Marrar coach Shane Lenon isn’t taking things lightly ahead of his first trip to Coleambally.
“Definitely a danger game,” Lenon said. “If you what you hear is right, it’s one of your tougher road trips and obviously it’s their first home game of the season. A couple of their new recruits (Charlie and Aidan McAdam) are playing so yeah, it’ll be a tough game.”
The Bombers aren’t making any special plans to tag Charlie McAdam in the midfield.
“We’ll back ourselves in to start with but obviously if a certain player starts to get a hold of you, you certainly got to put a bit of time into them. We’ll just see how it pans out,” he said.
The Bombers are without Brad Turner who is still sore in the shoulder from last Friday night’s game.
Lenon said it’s more a precaution than a long-term concern and with the bye next week, the spearhead can take a fortnight to fully recover.
Turner’s absence means ruckman Nick Molkentin is likely to spend more time forward, swapping with Matt Parks, while Lenon has also moved Brad Moye from wing to forward pocket where he could have an impact on the scoreboard.