Werribee Bears’ opening clash with the North West Wolves in Victorian Rugby League on Saturday is important on so many levels.
The Bears have moved past, but not forgotten, their heartbreaking last-minute finals exit to the Wolves last season and are geed up for a bit of payback.
“The guys are keen to kind of get their revenge for what happened last year,” Bears coach Phillip Pese told Star Weekly.
“It’s also very important to get a win first round. It builds a bit of morale for the team and steers us in the right direction for the season.”
These two sides finished third and fourth last year and are expected to be around this mark again, even challenging for a top two-berth.
With little to separate the Bears and the Wolves historically, the sides could end up looking back on the first 80 minutes of the season as a key moment in their jostle for finals positions … so it’s as close to a must-win game as you will get for round one.
“It’s always close playing against the Wolves, always decided in the last 20 minutes,” Pese said. “We love playing them, they’re a tough opponent and they’re pretty much a spitting image of us.”
But the Bears are desperate to avoid a repeat of last season when they gave up a lead late in the game. So no stone has been left unturned in the quest to boost fitness levels and Pese hopes his players’ dedication over the pre-season will pay dividends against the Wolves.
The Bears have installed centre Chase Hoare as captain. That was a no-brainer for Pese, who sees Hoare as the top leader in the side, probably the hardest worker and its only player named in the Victorian men’s train-on squad for representative duty.
“He’s been with the club from day one,” Pese said. “He leads by example and puts everything into his training and game day.”
The X-factors for the Bears could be prop forwards Josh Makiri and Andrew Mafi. Pese wants this exciting pair to stamp their influence early in the season.
Bears players named in Victoria’s train- on squads for representative duty:
Big V Bears
Men’s team: Chase Hoare
Women’s tag: Dearni Timothy, Georgina Moana, Jayvi Whiripo, Lakisha Kuru, Raina Kani-Williams, Tiana Kani.
Women’s tackle: Tiana Kani, Jackie-Ann Tahu
Related
Picture gallery: Werribee Bears v North West Wolves sem-final 2014
