Group 20
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
WARATAHS fullback Johnny Teleaga believes a high completion rate is vital if the Tigers are to beat Tullibigeal-Lakes United in Sunday's Group 20 preliminary final at Exies Oval.
The teams played each other in the first week of the play-offs a fortnight ago, the Sharks escaping with a 30-26 victory at Lake Cargelligo.
The Tigers rebounded from that loss to beat Darlington Point-Coleambally 54-22 last weekend, while the Sharks went down 40-10 to minor premier West Wyalong.
With a spot in the grand final at stake, Teleaga said the Tigers couldn't afford to have a bad day with their hands.
"They (the Sharks) have got some really good players. Everyone knows their fullback (Jaden Kelly) is a good player," he said.
"They just keep coming at you.
"If you make a mistake they'll punish you.
"But if you can hold the ball, you'll go a long way towards winning the game."
If the match is close heading into the final 10 minutes, Teleaga could prove a match-winner for the Tigers.
The 23-year-old plans to do everything in his power to ensure Waratahs remain in the premiership hunt beyond Sunday.
"We didn't have really high hopes at the start of the season," Teleaga said.
"'But the team's come together really well the last couple of months.
n Continued Page 25
"It's good we've made it this far, and now there's just one more game until we get to the big one."
But the Sharks won't make it easy for Teleaga and his team-mates and have a point to prove after last week's heavy loss to the Mallee Men.
TLU No.1 Kelly said a repeat of that performance would see his side eliminated.
"We're definitely going to have to play a lot better than we did at the weekend," he said.
"We'll be going over to Griffith very wary, and we'll need to put our best foot forward."
Kelly said the Tigers had plenty of attacking threats.
"They're a very good side and can hurt you from anywhere," he said.
Kick-off is at 2.45pm.
In other preliminary finals, Waratahs take on DPC in the under 16s (10am), Bidgee battles Waratahs in the under 18s (11.15am), West Wyalong and Black and Whites square off in league tag (12.40pm), while TLU and Black and Whites clash in reserve grade (1.30pm).