Cowra Magpies utility forward Ben Gunn wants to end his playing days alongside close mates and hopefully lift a premiership in the black and white.
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The 32-year-old, who linked with Cowra from Bathurst St Pat’s midway through the Group 10 season, revealed he has “no intention” of playing in 2019 and is ready to hang his boots up.
It was the driving force behind his move back to Cowra.
Gunn was a part of the Steve Sutton-coached side defeated by Bathurst St Pat’s in the grand final in 2014 at Sid Kallas Oval.
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“I’m not looking at playing beyond this season and I wanted to finish with these guys. It’s a great club with a great vision and a great playing group, so it’s where I wanted to finish off.” he said.
“I’m really good mates with the playing group, having played a lot of junior rep stuff with them. Obviously I was a part of the 2014 team and we became a really close group.”
A versatile acquisition to Sutton’s bench, Gunn’s mostly been used as an impact player during the 20 minutes before halftime.
He expects to be used that way in the Group 10 premier league major semi-final on Sunday at Sid Kallas Oval, with the Magpies and Orange Hawks playing for the Group grand final hosting rights.
“It’s pretty simple I’ll play the back 20 minutes of the first half and give the boys a lift, try and get through as many metres as possible and bring a hard edge in defence. The main thing is pick the boys up,” he said.
Gunn, though, is more concerned about Cowra matching it with Orange Hawks early.
While he hasn’t played in the two sides previous showdowns in 2018, he says the Magpies will be doing all they can to match Hawks’ enthusiasm in the opening quarter.
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“Hawks are a great outfit. From previous games it looks like Hawks have been quick out of the blocks so we have to match that intensity, I think the first 20 will give a reflection of how it will be after 80,” he said.
Gunn hopes to repeat Cowra's efforts of 2014 and secure a home a grand final.
“The Cowra community is a very close rugby league community and they love following the sport, 2014 was unbelievable,” he said.
The game is set for a 2pm start on Sunday.