Cowra Eagles' first-grade skipper Tim Berry is excited for his team to be tested in the form of the Orange Emus this weekend, but isn't going to be carried away by the score line.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Eagles will be hosting last year's premiers at home, but while some will using the game as an early preview for a potential finals match up, Berry believes it would be perilous for his team to get too carried away with a round three result against a strong opponent.
"Win, draw or loss, .... We actually make sure we get better in what we've been training for," the local sporting stalwart said.
"If we do that we put ourselves in a position where we can win... "
While this long-term perspective might be seen as surprising for a team that was only one game away from a preliminary finals berth, Berry puts down the process-based focus to a club-wide pursuit of success that has taken hold across the organisation.
"It's outstanding to be a part of the club at the moment... that is buying into success," Berry explained.
"We're moving forward as a club, to say... We will be successful if we adapt these different training strategies [and] different game strategies..."
The detail oriented approach is one that is made evident when Berry assesses the quality that the Emus have.
"They've always been strong in their line-outs... Their captain's really good at co-ordinating and running their game," Berry observed.
"They're strong all over the place."
Yet, when asked about what the Eagles will do to combat the outfit, Berry is measured - and consistent.
"For us to do well we've just got to be able to do our jobs well," he said.
We're mindful of making sure we turn up when the whistle blows... and when it does go we need to make sure we're switched on.
- Eagles first-grade skipper Tim Berry
He also admitted that the drop-off in mindset during the second half of his team's pre-Easter win against Forbes is something that will need to be rectified against the Emus.
"We're mindful of making sure we turn up when the whistle blows... and when it does go we need to make sure we're switched on," the lock said, who also added that his team wasn't quick enough to adapt to some of the changes the Platypi made after half-time.
"We needed to counter that, and unfortunately we didn't counter it enough."
Nevertheless, Berry, who has taken over first-grade leadership duties, is excited and enthused by the buy-in across the club.
"Where we've been going and where we want to go... the boys have all bought into what we want to do," Berry explained, applauding the emergence of playing depth that the coaching team, led by Col Jeffs and Col Kilby, has emphasised.
"The coaching staff's excellent and it's about building capacity... If we can actually build our second grade... we're going to build our first grade."
Berry also highlighted the importance of an experienced playing group, with players like club skipper Conor Lamond, former skipper Chris Miller and the likes of Jeremy Montgomery, Tom Dewhurst and Troy Jeffs all providing important assistance.
"I'm very much aware that I am supported by a lot of other people," Berry explained.
READ ALSO:
