Coleambally aim to add North Wagga to scalps as Charlie McAdam enjoys return stint

The experienced wingman is also aware they'll need to bring that best when they try to match ladder leaders North Wagga at their own game on Saturday.

"Our tackle count's got to be up. We normally go alright against teams when we apply that pressure," McAdam said ahead of the fifth v first contest at Coleambally.

"I've noticed they're a real outside, running team so one of the keys is for us to stop their outside run. And when we go to attack, it's important that we really turn defence into attack to catch them on that rebound.

"That's what cut us up last time we played, their taking the game on. But we've also got a lot of quick players so I think it'll come down to whoever gets that offence and outside run going. Whoever gets it, I think that's where the game will be won."

McAdam has had an integral role in helping the Blues do just that this season, after he joined Coleambally straight off a second grand final appearance for Darwin's Southern Districts.

"Coming from Darwin, where we've been in the top two teams (Southern Districts won the premiership the season before last), we've been really successful so coming down here I've just tried to bring that winning culture," he said.

"I haven't missed a game so I've been playing all year round without a rest. But I've been happy out on the wing and as long as I can keep my consistency up for the club and try to keep our winning ways, that's the most important thing."

While the Blues are in a battle with the Northern Jets for the last spot in finals, the Saints have top spot on the ladder to preserve.

They won't be caught unawares on the trip to Coleambally: contenders Marrar and Temora have already come unstuck at the Sportsground this season. And two years ago, the Saints were sailing along in second when they were knocked over by eighth-placed Coleambally, a result which sent them into a spin for the month leading into finals.

McAdam, 29, had seen the Saints earlier in 2017, when he played four games on a fly-in, fly-out basis from Darwin, including one thrashing at North Wagga.

So he's enjoyed being part of the Blues' revival this year.

"I've been a bit surprised but with the recruits we've picked up, it's working a treat and the boys are really starting to gel as a team and we're starting to be a bit more predictable to each other, and know our strengths," he said.

"I think we're getting it right at the right time of the year, coming towards the end and fighting for that fifth position."

This time around, he and teammate Raven Marika (who's out with a hamstring), are living in Coleambally.

On leave from his job with the Aboriginal Legal Service in the NT, McAdam, 29, is working at the Tirkandi Inaburra Culture and Development Centre.

"Raven and myself have settled in really well and the town's been really friendly and looking after us, making sure we're all good," McAdam said.

While the Saints have added motivation with backman Ben Alexander joining their 100-club, of players to bring up a ton of senior games, McAdam has been impressed with plenty of his own teammates

He said Curtis Steele's role in the midfield has been huge, and praised forwards Dwayne Weetra and Jack Cullen, backman Tom Morton and ruckman Darcy Mader.

"Steeley, for sure, he's been awesome for us. You've also got Morto who's a solid backman and brings that old-school defending role that no longer really exists, he's been really solid," McAdam said.

"And I've been really impressed with big Darcy, I don't think he's played too much football but he's learning really quick and improving every game.

"And young Jack Cullen. He's a GWS Academy player, he's a big boy and you can see that he's got what it takes. He's just got to develop a bit. But he's one of the exciting ones that I look forward to seeing on the TV one day."

McAdam said getting their delivery right into their big targets will be critical in this last month of football which he deems a virtual finals series before, hopefully, their finals series.

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