GROUP Nine representative players will not get any special treatment from Southcity captain-coach Nick Skinner when the Bulls strive to keep their unbeaten streak alive at Harris Park on Saturday.
After hollow wins over Tumut and Tumbarumba, and a draw with Young, Southcity will play Kangaroos in a mouth-watering Wagga duel.
Kangaroos are coming off a landslide victory 50-point victory against beleaguered Brothers and Skinner is not taking any liberties.
“Definitely not,” Skinner said.
“They’re (Kangaroos) a young and enthusiastic team and we’re not in a position to be taking anyone lightly.”
Reinforcing his concerns ahead of the important Wagga derby, Skinner made it clear Southcity’s four Group Nine reps will go “hell for leather” against Roos.
The Bulls have Kyle McCarthy, Nathan Rose, Jordan Shepherd and Skinner in the Group Nine team to play Group 20 for the Kelly Cup – and Riverina jumpers – on the undercard for City-Country at Equex Centre on Sunday.
The quartet will all play for Southcity on Saturday and back up for Group Nine on Sunday.
And Skinner is adamant they will not be cutting corners in the Bulls first home game for the season.
“Obviously you have to give it all for your club,” Skinner said.
“It’s definitely a challenge, but you just have to try to put it (Sunday game) out of your mind.
“It’s a mental thing mainly.
”You just have to do your best.”
Skinner says playing two games will not be a serious burden for the players.
“The bumps and bruises won’t matter,” he said.
While the Bulls have multiple representatives in the Sunday fixture, Roos will have no players in the game.
Significantly, Southcity will have an unchanged team for the fourth week in a row to start the premiership – and Skinner knows “consistency” is an advantage.
“Definitely,” he said.
“You don’t want to have to chop and change every week.”
