Football
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YOOGALI FC coaching director Peter Jennings has called on the club's local contingent to match the standards set by the Fijian imports who have lit up the Billabong Cup.
The likes of international players Jone Ralulu, Malakai Tiwa and the Watkins brothers have starred so far this season but last year's preliminary finalists are wary of not leaning too heavily on out-of-towners for success.
Undefeated after two rounds, the Islanders have been hugely influential but the key to any title challenge lies in a collective team effort, Jennings said.
"What we have to remember is that the other boys have to pick up the standard and match the Fijian guys," he said.
"We don't want to be a club that just relies on our imports.
"We have lots of good local players here that need to step up so we've got that balance."
YFC is back in action on Sunday, taking on the Yenda Tigers at Wade Park.
The Tigers have not won in two games and will need to be at their best to avoid extending that winless streak against a likely full-strength Yoogali outit.
"There hasn't been much said about Yenda," Jennings said.
"You hear stuff around town about the other Yoogali and the Hanwood boys, but not much from them.
"They were very competitive last year, and especially at home they were quite good.
"My philosophy is you aim for draws away and wins at home, but a win away is always a handy little boost."
Jennings is still ruing YFC's last result, a 1-1 draw with the Eastern Wanderers in Wagga that he still thinks his side should have won.
"I'm happy, but at the same time, we were surprised by Eastern Wanderers," he said.
"That was something we weren't expecting but that's good for the whole competition.
"It would have given us a little bit of leeway, a win before Easter we could have broken away from the pack with a couple of points."