The Griffith Waratah Tigers playing numbers will be given a boost heading into Saturday’s clash with the Griffith Black and Whites for the Joe Fabris Memorial Cup.
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Sione Tulahe, Sam Rauluni and Niko Lelei will all return from suspension for the local derby at the Exies Oval.
Waratahs co-coach Kose Lelei thought the returns came at just the right time.
“My brother and Sam bring a lot of experience to the team,” Lelei said.
“Especially having our captain [Niko] back this week will give us a huge boost.”
There will also be a battle within the battle as Lelei goes head-to-head with opposing co-coach Andrew Lavaka.
The pair came through the junior ranks together and while both will be out to one-up the other, they both concede it will be no easy task.
“He’s a class player,” Lavaka said of Lelei.
“His leadership has always been up there. That’s a big reason why they [Waratahs] have been so competitive, because he’s led them so well.”
Lelei said his side will have to be as wary as ever against the crafty Lavaka.
“We have to be smart around the ruck [when Lavaka is playing],” Lelei said.
“We will treat him just like we did Dumbrell last week and defend the same way.”
After a strong pre-season which ended in a Paul Kelly Memorial Knockout victory, the Black and Whites are still searching for their first win of the Group 20 season.
The side’s two losses have been by six and two points and Lavaka said there was no one to blame but themselves.
"We’re killing ourselves,” Lavaka said.
“We’ve talked about it – dropping the ball and giving away penalties.
“If we can stop doing that, I think we can win.”
Lavaka also said the team was working out combinations.
“We had a few new guys come in and I think we’re starting to gel,” he said.
“It’s not always going to happen overnight, it’s a work in progress and we’re working towards that.”
The Waratahs have a win and a loss to their name after two rounds.
The side bounced back from a loss to Yenda to beat Yanco-Wamoon last week by 20 points.
However, the Griffith outfit still spilled plenty of ball and Lelei said ball control was getting drilled into his side at training this week.
“We just need to complete our sets," Lelei said.
“After scoring [plenty of] points, [ball handling] is what we will be concentrating on this week.”
Just the three games will be played on the day with league tag to start proceedings at 4pm.
Reserve grade will follow at 5pm followed by first grade at 6.30pm under lights.
