The Temora Dragons will travel to Tumut on Saturday where they will be looking to consolidate their position in the top five of the Group Nine competition. Only two points separate the top five and with the Dragons having to play their next three games on the road, a win at Twickenham is a must. The quality of their opposition on Saturday is unknown as this will be the first and only time the two teams meet. A powerhouse club in recent seasons, the current Blues team has undergone a massive turnover in players and are struggling to some degree with only four competition points, with a win over the Albury Thunder and two draws, one each against the last-placed Brothers, but were capable of containing the Young Cherrypickers with a 28-28 result at home at Twickenham. The Blues lost eight players from their last season senior team, namely fullback Mitch Ivill, Jacob Sturt, Kyle Danizak, Matt Byatt, Bailey Maher, Todd Broad, Billy Bridgman and Trae King, while bringing in Ty Burgan, Luchy Burgan, Flynn De Bono, all from nearby Tumbarumba, plus Roy Smith and Malacki Charles. Their draw against the Cherrypickers indicates they are capable of springing a surprise on the Dragons, who have not been at their best in recent games against the Gundagai Tigers and Junee Diesels. This is a great chance for the Dragons to show some consistency and, with the competition now passing the halfway mark, every win is important if they are to take part in the playoffs come September. The Dragons should be bolstered by having good support up in the hills as it will be a Gala Day involving the Junior Dragons, making it a big day all around. After a mixed day last Sunday against Junee when they could only win two of the five games played at Nixon Park, with the Blues struggling in all grades, the Dragons should make amends with a clean sweep. The Reserve Grade, who have slipped to third after their surprise loss to the Diesels, should be far too strong for Tumut, who have yet to win a game in this grade, while the Dragons Women's Tackle team have a great chance to retain fifth place against Tumut, who are on equal points but are in sixth place on eight points. Tumut and Temora share sixth place, two points out of the top five, while the Dragons' undefeated League Tag team, despite struggling for numbers, should continue their great form for the third-placed Blues team. In the main fixture, the Dragons should field much the same team that played against Junee, although the make-up of the starting 13 could depend on what effect the "players' points" have, having forced winger Khaileb Cameron-Pani out of First Grade last weekend, while Sam Burley could also miss this game after suffering a head knock against the Diesels. Round 9 results will be interesting as there are some important games this weekend, with Gundagai expected to be too strong for Cootamundra, who could slip out of the top five with a loss, while the winner of the Junee versus South City game will move into the top five if the Tigers win. Another danger game could be Albury hosting the South City Bulls down on the border. Minor Grades Reserve Grade – 1.05pm Drew Robinson, Tom Goode, Brock Thorpe, Nich Bett, Tom Moroney, Cody Lynch, Jared McKinnon, Riley Craw, Yoan Veve, Adam New, Ryan Cain, Tom New, Sam Carlin, Josh Gillard, Darcy Kelly, Riley Neville, Chase Sciascia, Will Stimson, Tyrone Bushell, Zac Starr. Women's Tackle – 11.55am Sanera Tanuvasa, Sarah Murphy, Milly Murphy, Lizzie Cooper, Rachel Luana, Alicia Haisell (c), Charlotte Carlin, Dorcas Frank, Bree Burnett, Kindra Byquar, Ashleigh Burnett, Belinda Nima, Kamryn Wood, Lillian Weldon, Gabe McCabe, Jorja Winfield. Weissel Cup – 10.45am Bailey Purcell, Ethan Bett, Matt Knox, Clayton Gallagher, Connor Hawksworth, Josh Haisell, Jacob Durham, Bryce Smetana, Cooper Gersbach, Jake Rayner, Mitchell Harper, Harrison Yates, Alex Lovett, Zach Botha, Louie Mortimer, Darcy Murphy, Oscar Bent. League Tag – 9.45am Molly McCrone, Maisey McCrone, Alicia Haisell, Milly Murphy, Bella McDermott, Emily Perrot, Rommy Wilesmith, Cate Granleese, Madeline Morton, Matilda Reardon, Tilly Englert, McKenna Ward, Kiara Balon, Lizzie Cooper.
