Acting Magpies skipper Blake Tidswell says the defensive focus coach Kurt Hancock emphasised after their loss to Queanbeyan will be key at this week's Bathurst Knockout.
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"We've got points in us, as you can see from our trials," Tidswell explained, adding that he actually thought while the club's goal line work was solid, it was their work further up the ground that left a bit to be desired.
"[There were] a lot of easy, soft, runaway tries."
Cowra's first and second grade sides are both heading over to Carrington Park this weekend, with Tidswell noting that with names missing like Jeremy Gordon, Josh Rainbow and new recruit Logan Harris, there are plenty of opportunities to try out new set-ups.
"We can try a few different players in different positions... Later on in the year, it will come in handy... when everyone is fit and back," Tidswell said.
The senior team has a Friday night clash with St. Pats to start their tournament, but Tidswell said that shutting down Branighan, the captain-coach of the side, will be a major part in ensuring they progress beyond the evening game.
"[He's] a good ball director," the acting skipper said, acknowledging the former Oberon Tiger's strong kicking game.
"[We'll] probably target him with our forwards... if we can control him we should be right."
With the Knockout the last hit out before round one of Group 10, Tidswell said he was excited for the season ahead, praising the Magpies' coaching team, which is led by Kurt Hancock, with assistance from last year's senior coach, Steve Sutton.
I honestly think we're under the best coaching staff there is.
- Acting Magpies skipper Blake Tidswell
"I've been under Steve for a few years now and this is the first time coached by Kurt... I honestly think we're under the best coaching staff there is," Tidswell enthused.
"I'm keen to see the year play out."
Cowra's senior side will take to the field at 8.35pm against St Pats, while the reserves side will face the winner of the St. Pats' reserves and the CSU Mitchell-Bathurst Mungoes at 10 am the next morning.
COWRA MAGPIES SQUAD
- 1 Jack Nobes. 2 John Grant. 3 Bradyn Cassidy. 4 Zac Browne. 5 Jake Pollard. 6 Claude Gordon. 7 Joe Bugg. 8 Lewis Dwyer. 9 Toby Apps. 10 Blake Tidswell. 11 Jay McClintock. 12 Warren Williams. 13 Mitch Browne. Bench: 14 Ronald Lawrence. 15 Ben Gunn. 16 William Ingram. 17 Jared Burns
Jersey Calcutta returns
The Magpies will also be running their annual jersey calcutta for the first try scorer next Friday, April 12, at the Cowra Services Club.
With jumpers 1 to 13 to be auctioned off separately, as well as 14 to 17 as a package, it offers an opportunity for punters take part in a home game prize pool for first try scorer that will run throughout the season's eight games.
Proceeds from the evening are to be split evenly between the prize pool and the club, making it an important fundraiser for the year.
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