Marrar coach Shane Lenon has taken the Bombers to two flags in two seasons but he isn't interested in suggestions their latest incarnation is the team to beat after an 11-goal thrashing of East Wagga-Kooringal on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"I wouldn't go that far. It's a week-to-week thing. That's not up to us to say who's favourite and who's not. Next week will be a different game. But I was happy," Lenon said.
Marrar play their last home game this week against the only team they haven't beaten this season, Coleambally.
The Bombers haven't lost since they were beaten by the Blues back in round eight. That's seven straight, and 12 wins in their last 13 games, culminating in the 67-point drubbing of the Hawks.
On Saturday, they were without two of their best defenders, Adam Whyte (thigh) and Mitch Taylor (groin), as well as emerging footballers Zac Lewis (unavailable) and Harry Reynolds (ribs) while John Hoey (cork) and Matt Parks (illness) came out of their named side.
On top of that, the Bombers lost nine from their 2018 premiership team last year, not to mention more from the seconds and under 17s. In return, there were less than a handful of arrivals (headed by Truman Carroll and Nick Cooper).
It's a lot of faith in development, and it's paying off for a team running high on enthusiasm, confidence and a high-pressure approach.
Players across the park are revelling in their roles. From star forward Zach Walgers, who plays a foot taller than he is and with the energy of two men, to Jed Jenkins and Toby Lawler, teenage midfielders with the maturity of veterans.
"Obviously it's a young side, it's a different sort of make-up to what we've had the previous two years. It was just really positive, all game," Lenon said after the win against EWK.
"When we're up and about, we do apply pressure. And with a young side with leg speed, they're not only good when you've got the ball, they can apply pressure back the other way, and that's certainly a positive for us."
The Bombers are unlikely to have Taylor available this week while rising star Drew Beavan will away with junior representative commitments.
And Coleambally are coming off a big win against the Northern Jets, but have plenty to prove away from home, with fifth spot still to be sealed.
"Obviously Marrar at their home ground, and they'll be a different side to the first half of the year, will be tough," Coleambally co-coach Mitch Carroll said.
"But we've just got to go there and play with the confidence we did (against the Jets) and see what happens."
Coleambally are a win clear of the Jets, and two wins ahead of CSU, but need another win to seal their finals spot.
READ MORE
