Oberon coach Luke Branighan is hoping the big games bring out the best in his side with two looming blockbusters in the next fortnight set to determine the Tigers’ fate in 2018.
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The Tigers leap to third following Saturday’s 42-10 win over the ninth-placed Blayney although the injured Branighan admits his team was fairly ordinary for large chunks of that victory.
That standard will have to lift significantly, a “couple of levels” if you ask Branighan, when Oberon tackles top three hopefuls Panthers and premiership favourites Orange Hawks in the next two weeks before a final round bye.
A loss in both, or even one, could land the Tigers in fifth place on the ladder but victories have the potential to give Oberon’s chance at a premiership a real shot in the arm.
The Tigers welcome back Tui Oloapu and Abel Lefaoseu, from suspension and overseas respectively, and Branighan is hoping his side clicks in the coming weeks.
“When we had our minds in it we played great footy against Blayney and we had some good efforts off the ball, which we’ve been working on,” he said.
“Naturally when play sides further down the ladder with not much to play for you can drop down a level but still no excuse.
“I’d like them to be on every week so when we play top sides it’s ingrained in us.
“All of the games are big coming in to finals. We’re gauging where we’re at in those games.
“We’ve lost a lot of close games this year, but rarely had our strongest line-up on the park, too.
“I’d love to get top three, or even fourth and a home semi but really I’d just like to get a full-strength line-up out there.”
Oberon won’t have that this week, though, with Branighan currently out with a torn stomach muscle he describes as pretty bad.
“I’ll find out in the next couple of days how bad it is. I’m keen to lay but at same time I don’t want to be out there if I’m going to be a liability,” he added.
Against Blayney, Tigers prop Mickey Hawkings was superb and was rewarded with one of Oberon’s eight tries in the 32-point victory over the Bears.
Tyler Hughes grabbed a double for the hosts at Oberon Sportsground, while ex-NRL prop Josh Starling potted three goals.
- OBERON TIGERS 42 (Tyler Hughes 2, Jaskson Brien, Ben McAlpine, Dave Sellers, Nathan Booth, Michael Hawkings, Jake Dawe tries; Josh Starling 3, Ben McAlpine, Luke Christie-Johnston goals) def BLAYNEY BEARS 10 (Mick Toohey, Mitch Evers tries; Mitch Evers goal);