Valleys big-man expecting statement win over Cowboys

Toowoomba Valleys big-man Drew Jackson is ready to go ahead of his side’s top four clash against the Warwick Cowboys this Saturday. Read what he had to say here.

Valleys’ Tevita Cocker has been in great form all year, and will need to continue in their top four clash against the Cowboys this Saturday. Picture: Kevin Farmer.

A top four clash is headed to John McDonald Sports Complex this Saturday when first placed Toowoomba Valleys take on the Warwick Cowboys.

The Roosters are sitting pretty atop the TRL ladder with 18 points, but the Cowboys are not far behind on 14, and are looking for a bounce-back performance after their loss to Goondiwindi last round.

Valleys barnstorming prop Drew Jackson is very aware of Warwick’s ability to ‘turn it on’ in big games and is not going into this game with any sort of complacency.

“Warwick are a very good side and we are fortunate to be playing them at (our) home,” Jackson said.

“Their fitness is a big strength of theirs and their captain (Dylan Lippi) is also another big strength.

“If we are able to pull him (Lippi) apart and stifle his game, we can put together some good old fashioned footy and get the win.”

Jackson acknowledged that his side has not had the best completion rate as of late, and said that it was an area they’d been focusing on at training and would need to improve ahead of the game.

“We’ve really been lacking in our completion rate over the past few games, and that is something we must tidy up ahead of the game, especially against a side as good as them (Cowboys),” Jackson said.

“The last couple of wins have come off the back of a fair bit of desperation from the team as a whole and some talent from individuals in the side, as well as the club’s will to win, whether it be ugly or not.”

Dwayne Duncan is one of Valleys’ key players who will need to continue his good form at the weekend. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The forward said that if they could get the win over the Cowboys this weekend, it would set them up nicely for a run home, as the draw for the remainder of the season looked rather favourable.

“Looking ahead, I think the draw is pretty favourable to us as we’ll get some home games,” he said.

“But, we do have Gatton at Gatton and Wattles at Wattles, which will be difficult.

“Wattles are definitely the benchmark, so if we can get a win over them in the last game of the season, we’ll be going into the finals in good stead.”

The Round 11 match-up will be played at John McDonald Sports Complex this Saturday 24, June, with kick-off at 6.30pm.