Despite his side cruising to a 40-18 win on enemy soil against Wellington last Sunday, injured Parkes Spacemen captain-coach Dennis Moran believes his side has a lot of improving to do if they are to contend for the Group XI premiership this year.
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While happy to get the points, Moran was left frustrated by his side’s inability to complete their sets against the Cowboys and said he hopes they improve on Jock Colley Field this Sunday against Nyngan.
“Our ball control and set completion rate, in the second half especially, was not good enough.
“It was good for the boys to get a win in the first match, but against stronger opposition it could have been a different story.
“We completed around 60 percent of our sets in the first half and were leading 24-0.
“If we get that number closer to 80 percent, we could have been 40-0 up at the break.
“Obviously it was the first game and the boys need time to gel together.
“Hopefully we will see an improvement this Sunday against the Tigers,” he said.
The Spacemen will be missing boom forward Jordan Pope, likely for between six and eight weeks, after he broke his hand in the Western Rams trial while representing Group XI.
Pope has been a key figure for the Spacemen go-forward in the pre-season and will be a big loss.
The club hopes the return of NSW Police Country representative Ben Nash in the next fortnight will make up for Pope’s absence.
Moran believes selecting a set 17 each week will help his side no end.
“The more consistent we are with selecting a set 17 the better it will be for the boys,” he said.
“It will help them understand each other’s play a bit better and allow guys to develop partnerships.
“We have the quality in the club to give the competition a real shake.
“This is especially evident from players like Sam Dwyer, Brandon Tago, and league tag girls Sally Dwyer and Ella-J Harris, selected in the Western Division teams.
“The four of them should be congratulated and lead by example for the rest of the club.”
Nyngan have made a couple of astute acquisitions in the off season, none more so than hooker Reece Goldsmith who was named Man of the Match for the Rams trial.
Despite this, Moran believes his side has what it takes to get the win.
“We will focus on our game and getting it right,” he said.
“If we execute our plans well, we will get the win.
“We want to make Jock Colley Field a fortress this year and go unbeaten at home.
“Hopefully that starts with a good performance for our home crowd on Sunday.”
