Just nine points separated them when the teams met in round two at Port Douglas and Souths coach Chris Adams believes his side has taken the bigger strides since then. That is despite the Cutters having wallowed outside the top four with just four victories for the season, while the Crocs have entrenched themselves in the top three, winning 10 from 13. Adams was not going to let statistics get the better of him when he talked up his team’s chances.
"They haven’t really improved in terms of personnel since then. Although they have jelled well, we’ve got a much more balanced side than we did in round two," Adams said. "If you look at our stats it doesn’t really show we’ve had a bad season; we’ve pushed the best teams to the wire and now it’s about keeping their respect."
They have lost six games by no more than 31 points this season and sit outside the top four by three clear wins. It is giant strides from their wooden spoon effort of last year but there is still a feeling that they could have done better.
"It is frustrating. I think this week we’ve finally got no injuries as well and if we’d had that earlier we may have been there or thereabouts," Adams said.
Souths notched their biggest win of the season against the Lions last week, kicking 32 goals in the process. But the coach was more pleased with their defence and is asking for a similar effort this weekend. Adams has pinpointed the match-up between Cutters defender Matthew Harwood and under-rated Port goal sneak Sam Boxall.
"Sam’s all class. He gives them an option at goal and can go find the ball as well," Adams said. "Matty will have first crack on him and hopefully he nullifies him."
Adams was suspended for head butting last time he played at the Port Douglas venue and is expecting to be reminded of that when he runs out on Saturday.
Port will welcome back star pair David Kruse and Campbell Wurramarrba, but most likely will give skipper Evan Hocking an extra week to recover from a hamstring injury. Their presence will bolster either end of the park while Daniel Smith can have free run of the midfield. Their coach Andy Viola said they would be on high alert after Souths thumped the Lions last weekend, knowing his team must keep winning if they want to pip Saints for second spot.
"That battle for second could come down to the last game of the season," Viola said. "So we can’t take this one for granted, we need to win and Souths have their tails up."
Read more at http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2011/07/29/175941_local-sport-news.html
Courtesy of The Cairns Post.
Last Modified on 01/08/2011 09:18