Cootamundra out to stay top dog
Cootamundra can put one hand on the George Tooke Shield minor premiership this Saturday when the Bulldogs host the Bungendore Tigers in Round 11 at Les Boyd Oval.
In a clash of the titans, the top-of-the-table Bulldogs will be looking to kick clear of the second-placed Tigers.
Cootamundra head into the match on the back of a six-game winning streak, including a Round Ten 70-nil flogging of North Canberra.
Still, their only loss of the year came at the hands of Bungendore, who belted Cootamundra 40-6 back in Round Four, and Bulldogs coach David Buttriss is wary of the talented Tigers.
“They are really good all over the park, and in my eyes, they are still the team to beat,” Buttriss said.
“They have had a few players away and maybe some injuries, but when they get a full-strength side on the park, they are hard to knock off.”
The Bulldogs have been playing well, with a strong forward pack setting the platform for an exciting backline, but the Tigers boast talent all over the park, too.
When asked how the Bulldogs can beat Bungendore, Buttriss believes it will come down to being in the right mindset on Saturday.
“We just need to be ready for the contest,” Buttriss said.
“Obviously, Bungendore gave us a bit of a touch-up when we came to visit them, and I suppose we’ll be looking for a bit of redemption, but we need to be ready for the challenge.”
A huge crowd is expected to be on hand as the blue and white army cheers on the Bulldogs and Bullettes on what is sure to be a big day in Cootamundra.
“It should be a cracker,” Buttriss said.
“We had a look, and the weather is good, and hopefully, we get a big crowd down there for the top-of-the-table clash.”
Saturday’s match against Bungendore kicks off a tough run home for Cootamundra.
This includes a home match against Harden in Round 12 following the July bye round before back-to-back road trips in rounds 13 and 14 against Boorowa and Binalong, respectively.
Still, Buttriss sees it as a challenge for his young group leading into finals.
“We don’t want to look too far ahead,” Buttriss said.
“We do have a tough run home, and if we do come out on top with those last few games, we will have confidence heading into finals.”
In a huge Round 11 of the George Tooke Shield competition, it’s another big fixture when Binalong hosts Boorowa at Binalong Recreation Reserve.
North Canberra will be playing for their season when hosting the in-form Harden Hawks at Kaleen, and the wooden spoon could be decided when the UC Stars take on the visiting Crookwell Green Devils at Raiders Belconnen.
Click here for the George Tooke Shield men’s tackle ladder, draw, and results.
