Oberon has been boosted by the return of captain-coach Luke Branighan for Saturday’s Group 10 premier league elimination semi-final clash with Bathurst Panthers, that much was expected.
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But his halves partner is a bit of a bolt from the blue.
The Tigers’ brain-trust has turned to back-rower Jake Dawe to partner Branighan in the halves for the club’s biggest game of the 2018 season under lights at Carrington Park.
The Branighan-Dawe partnership is the Tigers’ ninth different halves combination throughout the 2018 season, but a pairing the ex-NRL pivot is confident can help drive Oberon through what is a sudden-death finals series after the black and golds finished the regular season in fifth.
After appearing in eight of his side’s 16 games in 2018, Branighan has been forced to turn to the likes of Ben McAlpine, Anton Wereta, Josh Starling, Tui Oloapu and Luke Christie-Johnston, as various duos, throughout the year.
Saturday night’s elimination final is Dawe’s first crack at the six jumper this year, but Branighan holds no doubt his old Young Cherrypickers teammate will handle the job well.
“One of our unsung heros is Jake Dawe, he’s floated between the middle and back row and his game has gone to a new level in the last six or eight weeks,” Branighan said.
He said Dawe would play more of a middle-forward’s role while McAlpine, from fullback, will often act as a second receiver.
“Josh (Starling) can ball-play a fair bit so when he’s there it’s like having close to a genuine six,” Branighan added.
“He did a job while it needed to be done but he’s back where he needs to be now but other guys play more a middle role. Ben being at fullback comes into the line when it suits.
“I’ve done this at a lot of clubs. Even though there’s only one half, there’s lots of others that can play with the ball. It won’t necessarily all fall back on me.”
Which wouldn’t be a totally outrageous option, given Branighan’s history against Panthers in big games.
His pin-point left foot single-handedly lifted the Tigers to upset wins over the Bathurst club in two semi-finals during last year’s run to the grand final, and Branighan’s kicking helped rocket Oberon to a 22-8 lead in the decider before CYMS stormed back to win by a point.
Branighan admits there’s a sense of deja vu in tackling Panthers first-up in the 2018 post-season, too, but said, unlike last year when Oberon finished third, there’s no room for error in this series.
“If we’re off we’re gone,” he said.
“I feel like we’re in a good spot though. Everyone has written us off.
“We haven’t had a full team all year, but we’ve got blokes in the team that seem to aim up when the whips are cracking.
“We’re going to let our footy do the talking.”
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Branighan identified Panthers warhorse Brent Seager as a man the Tigers must shut down, but said the likes of Starling and front-row partner Mickey Hawkings were up to the task.
“Hawkings and Starling been outstanding for us over the last month. Starling was the best played on the paddock last time we played Panthers,” Branighan said.
Panthers host Oberon from 6.15pm on Saturday night.
Nick McGrath
Editor, Central Western Daily
Editor, Central Western Daily
