Valleys out to overcome history to book GF spot
RUGBY LEAGUE: Valleys is hoping to overturn a recent form slump against Wattles to book its place in the TRL grand final.
The two sides meet in tomorrow’s preliminary final at Clive Berghofer Stadium for the right to take on Warwick on September 8.
After taking out four of its five games against Wattles last season, Valleys has found themselves on the wrong end of a 0-3 record in 2019.
“Obviously it’s going to be a big challenge for us,” coach Matt Schulze said.
“We’ve gone 0-3 against them this year, and we’re going to need a big effort this week to try and correct that, and learn from those previous losses.”
After Wattles comfortably claimed the first encounter back in round five, the two sides met again in the MadsenRasmussen Trophy final and in round 17.
The Warriors came out victorious in those two clashes as well, however Schulze said his side could take confidence in knowing the games were there to be won.
“I like to think we’ve got closer to them every time we’ve played them,” he said.
“Getting on top in defence will be massive, as will be trying to win the middle.
“Hopefully we can nullify (Travis) Burns and (Matt) Duggan. You can never take them out of the game, and they play their shapes both inside and outside, but we want to try and get numbers on them and take our opportunities when we can.”
Valleys are coming off an uncharacteristic performance against Warwick in last weekend’s qualifying final. The Roosters led by as much as 20 points in the second half, before the Cowboys scored four tries without response to book their spot in the grand final.
Schulze said there were a number of areas they needed to improve in to get over the top of a Wattles side that returned to its attacking best against Dalby.
“I was scratching my head at the time (as to what went wrong),” he said.
“Our ball control was rubbish. It meant we had to defend a lot more and that brought on fatigue. Some of our defensive efforts were poor, and they weren’t good enough.
“The boys were pretty disappointed with themselves in the result, and we let a golden opportunity go, but we don’t need to reinvent the wheel, we just need more effort for 80 minutes.”
Valleys will be boosted by the return of winger Denzel Burns this weekend.
TEAM LISTS
VALLEYS: 1. Gerome Burns,
2. Denzel Burns, 3. Dwayne Duncan, 4. Dylan Chown, 5. Aaron Sillitoe, 6. Ben Cook, 7. Cory McGrady, 8. Drew Jackson, 9. Nathan Bowering, 10. Dexter Buchanan, 11. Hnaloan Budden (c), 12. Joe Mua, 13. Jason Sharpe, 14. Ryan Stevens,
15. Junior Chong-Nee, 17. Mitchell Sargent, 18. Matt Rhodes, 19. Zac Miles, 23. Reggie Munn WATTLES: 1. Andrew Richardson, 2. Michael Marshall,
3. Nick van der Poel, 4. Jake Hargreaves, 5. Braydon Wilson, 6. Travis Burns, 7. Matt Duggan, 8. Mitchell Duff, 9. Matt Richards, 10. Dale Perkins (c), 11. Ty Gardner, 12. Mitch Koina, 13. Ryan Duggan (c), 14. Mitchell Bourke, 15. Dylan Wilson, 16. Jordan Henry,
17. Michael Pearson