Kirwan will pay close attention to PBC’s electric halves … but not too close
Author : Matthew Elkerton, Townsville Bulletin
Kirwan’s wily coach Todd Wilson has devised a cunning plan to shutdown PBC’s attacking weapons.
KIRWAN High coach Todd Wilson is adamant his side has a game plan to blunt Palm Beach Currumbin’s first-choice weapon.
Their halves pairing of Tom Weaver and Ryan Rivett.
The Palm Beach duo were untouchable in the Langer Trophy helping the Gold Coast nursery to an undefeated run through the tournament.
But Kirwan are determined to stop them from taking control of the contest and Wilson said it started in the engine room.
“They have a great pack and I think the team that wins that battle will go a long way top being on top in the game,” Wilson said.
“If we give their halves too much time and space, they will make us hurt.
“We have to win the battle in the middle and earn that right to play footy.”
But Wilson admitted if they focused too hard on one area of the opposition they could come unstuck on home soil.
Kirwan will have its own exciting halves duo with skipper Clay George again donning the no. 7 jersey to partner the reliable Harley Taylor. George’s move to the halves has allowed Ragarive Wavik to go back to fullback to replace the injured Tyreece Woods.
Wavik was one of Kirwan’s best in their Aaron Payne Cup glory last week and will pop up again on the right edge to add to an attack that already features try-scoring machines Jeremiah Nanai and Dudley Dotoi.
There has been a lot made about the Palm Beach side having to travel and play out of their comfort zone in the warmer tropical climate.
But Wilson said if Kirwan didn’t prepare and play the way they wanted, any environmental advantage would be nullified.
“There is a lot of talk around the game, but talk is not going to win us the game,” he said.
“We need to prepare the best we can, and perform the best we can everything will take care of itself.”
While travel will be a sticking point, Palm Beach will also have to overcome a very attacking side in Kirwan. Something they have not been faced with during the Langer Cup.
PBC coach Brad Davis said his side needed to be more “ruthless” if they found themselves in front to put a good lead on their opposition.
“They are a good attacking team, highly skillful, and have dangerous individuals,’’ Davis said.
“There is a little bit of North Queensland flavour which will be a bit different to us.
“We are also expecting not to have as much possession so defending well for longer periods will be important.”
