After a disappointing loss to the Gundagai Tigers at Nixon Park last Sunday, the Temora Dragons will need a vast improvement if they are to advance further from next Sunday’s preliminary final against the South City Bulls. The Dragons’ defence against the Tigers was terrible, with the visitors scoring a number of easy tries, and they will need to work overtime on the tackling bags at this week’s training sessions if they are to contain the likes of the Bulls’ try-scoring individuals in five-eighth Nathan Rose, the wily Kyle McCarthy and speedster Matt Lyons. Temora were poor all over the field last Sunday in both attack and defence and looked nothing like the team that accounted for Gundagai at Anzac Park in the last competition game two weeks earlier, while the Bulls made the most of their semi-final game against the Junee Diesels in what was a tough encounter, which the Bulls won narrowly 22-18. The Dragons and Bulls have one win each during the season, with the Wagga club winning their round three game at Harris Park 26-22, while Temora reversed the result in the round 12 game at Nixon with a 32-12 win. With winger Brodie Foster the only player unavailable through injury, the Dragons have a full complement of players available, with Sam Burley returning after suffering concussion two weeks ago. In next Sunday’s League Tag preliminary final, the Dragons will play the Cootamundra Bulldogs, who won their last meeting 16-4 at Les Boyd Oval after Temora won their round one game with a similar scoreline, 16-8. However, in the qualifying final at Junee, Temora held the Bulldogs scoreless in their big 32-0 win. Injuries could be a problem for Temora leading into Sunday’s game as Matilda Reardon is still out after being injured at Gundagai, while last Sunday they lost Madeleine Morton with a leg injury, while Courtney McCrone must be under extreme doubt with a hand injury. League Tag – Temora v Cootamundra Molly McCrone, Maisy McCrone, Sophie Bowley, Alicia Haisell, Milly Murphy, Bella McDermott, Emily Perrot, Rommy Wilesmith, Cate Granleese, Nicola Henman, Mia Block, Tilly Englert, Lilli Block, McKenna Henman, Kiara Balon, Lizzie Cooper, Matilda McCrone. Preliminary Final – Harris Park, Wagga Sunday 13th September First Grade: South City v Temora Reserve Grade: Kangaroos v Albury Women’s Tackle: South City v Junee Weissel Cup: Kangaroos v South City League Tag: Cootamundra v Temora
