The Cowra Magpies 100-6 thrashing at the hands Orange CYMS two weeks ago has proven to be a blessing in disguise, according to coach Rory Brien.
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Cowra responded with what he’s described as “one of our best performances in 2017” at Lithgow last week, keeping a grip of fifth place with a 24-10 win.
Brien said the performance shows a lot of character, and he’s not wrong.
A young side coached by a rookie mentor, the Magpies have gelled since the 94-point thumping at Wade Park, Brien says, and decided to play for each other at the Tony Luchetti Sports Ground on Saturday, something’s he’s been trying to generate the past few months.
“It’s hard to say it but the big loss might have benefited us,” Rory Brien said.
“I wasn’t really happy with how they [Magpies] treated it [the 94-point loss]. But they decided to fight for each other on Saturday and they really stood up. It was good to see.”
Brien labelled the 100-6 loss as the toughest experience he’s endured during his sporting career.
“It gutted me,” he said.
“I’m trying to improve them. It was hard to see them get belted for 80 minutes while they were injured, and continue to get belted.”
“I think that’s the toughest thing I’ve had to witness in my sporting life.”
Many may have written the Magpies off from that moment, but Brien’s men turned it around less than seven days later, with the impact of conceding 100 points uniting the team, and sparking Cowra to put together one of their best efforts this season.
Brien said captain Warren Williams, who was absent against CYMS, was outstanding at five-eight while Mitch Browne was again relentless in the second-row.
“The CYMS flogging put the cat among the pigeons and it fired a few of the boys up don’t worry,” Brien said.
“They showed a bit of mongrel. It’s showed a lot of character to turn it around one week later. ”
The Magpies take on Bathurst St Pat’s this week in a game that looms as a golden chance to strengthen their hold on fifth place.
Cowra’s aiming for a second defeat of St Pat’s having won 22-6 at Sid Kallas Oval back in May.
With Orange Hawks and Workies three and four competition points adrift respectively, and playing each other at Lithgow this week, a win could ultimately secure the Magpies a spot.
Brien’s hoping Workies can do them a favour.
“We’re definitely cheering Workies on this week. If we win this week and Workies get home against Hawks we should get in the finals,” he said.
The match is scheduled for a 2.30pm start at Jack Arrow Oval, Bathurst.
Cowra’s run home-
- v Bathurst Panthers (away)
- v Orange Hawks (away)
- v Bye (two points)