Dillon Bartter always gives 100 per cent for Darlington Point-Coleambally, but he finds extra motivation to dig a little deeper when the Roosters play Griffith Waratah Tigers.
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The Group 20 rivals contest a trophy named after Jack Carroll, who played for both clubs as a junior before his tragic passing as a teenager. Bartter was best mates with Carroll growing up and will be thinking of his friend when he runs out for Sunday’s clash against the Tigers at Exies Oval.
“He was a great best mate,” Bartter said of Carroll.
“To lose him was really hard. Every game we play for that cup, we strive to win and make sure we take it home with us.”
The Roosters currently hold the cup after beating the Tigers 34-18 when they last played in round one.
Since that game, Darlington Point-Coleambally have gone from strength to strength and now sit second on the ladder, only one point behind first-placed Griffith Black and Whites.
Bartter said it didn’t surprise him the Roosters were travelling so well.
“There was good vibes around the club early on,” Bartter said.
“Everyone seemed to gel really quickly. Since then, everyone’s dug in and they’re always having a go.”
Bartter said that type of resilience would be needed to beat Waratahs.
“It’ll be a tough game against Waratahs. It always is,” he said.
“But as long as our forwards can get out there and dominate, we should be all right.”
Waratahs are the reigning Group 20 premiers, and Roosters player-coach Ryan McGoldrick still rates them as one of the sides to beat this season.
“I think both teams that played in the grand final are the benchmark still, Waratahs and West Wyalong,” he said.
“They (Waratahs) are still looking pretty good.
“If you looked at how they went last year, they were probably in a similar position to what they are now.
“They really kicked on towards the back end of the year.
“We’re expecting a really tough game and fingers crossed the boys are up for it.”
The Tigers are fifth on the ladder – two wins adrift of the Roosters – but player-coach Kose Lelei said his side was primed for a big second half of the season.
“We started poorly in the first round, so hopefully in the second round we get some momentum and get to the finals,” he said.
“It (a game against DPC) is a good way to start the second round.
“A lot of the boys are back from injury, so hopefully everything goes to plan this weekend.”
A grade kick-off is at 2.30pm.