Execution key as Aggies look for win

Coach Nick McCarthy is yet to bring up a win in his new role, but is confident the new-look team is starting to click.

And they’ll need to be with a tough month of football ahead.

Travelling to Temora on Saturday, Aggies then have tough clashes against traditional rivals Waratahs and CSU before taking on Albury.

With losses to Leeton and Griffith followed by two byes to start the season Ag College is firmly planted to the bottom of the ladder.

With the disjointed start to the season, things are slowly starting to come together for Aggies.

“It’s been a tough start to the season, but you can only play what you are given and everyone has to play everyone,” McCarthy said.

“We just drew those two byes probably at we could have in terms on continuity was concerned but the team time as far as numbers where concerned.”

Ag College struggled with player numbers during the university holidays, but have had strong numbers at training during the week.

McCarthy is looking for better execution after letting scoring opportunities slip in both games.

“We weren’t all that far off against Griffith and a poor start really cost us and against good sides you just can’t come back,” he said.

“We’ve been working on playing for the full 80 minutes and executing our plays right from the start of the match.”

McCarthy has made a number of positional changes in his forward pack to take on the Tuskers.

Charlie Milthorpe has come into the front row, moving Rob Wiltshire to the second row and captain Ben Leaper to number eight.

Tanian Naude has also moved out of the pack and into the centres with Tim Tarlington dropping back to the bench.

The moves are aimed at adding more strength through the middle.

Temora’s 5-3 victory over Cootamundra is its only win so far this season, but McCarthy is expecting a tough test.

“They had a pretty good start to the season and I expect them to be like Temora always have been – a team that stays in games,” he said.

“If you don’t play good footy against them they catch you on the hop pretty easily.”

SIRU ROUND 4

SATURDAY

CSU v Cootamundra at Beres Ellwood Oval

Waratahs v Tumut at Conolly Rugby Complex

Temora v Ag College at   Temora Recreation Ground

Griffith v Wagga City at Coro Club Oval

Albury v Young at Murrayfield