Lions Not Planning Square-up

Illawarra Mercury

Saturday April 26, 2008

By ADRIAN ARCIULI

GERRINGONG coach Allan Miller believes last season's contentious semi-final loss to Berry Shoalhaven Heads is in the past.

But he still expects a rugged clash when the two sides meet in round four of Group 7 at Berry Showground today.

Gerringong were fuming following the semi-final defeat, in which they had two players sin-binned and were on the wrong end of an 11-1 second-half penalty count.

"We've moved on. It was last season so it's in the past," Miller said.

"We play a similar style to Berry and we're determined to have our game in order."

After a 66-16 hiding from Shellharbour in round two, the Lions regrouped quickly to beat Milton-Ulladulla 40-22 last weekend.

It may be only round four, but Gerringong already have major injury concerns, with four players out for up to six weeks, leaving Miller to test the club's depth.

"It's been tough but the likes of Jason White, Justin O'Hare, Pat Cronin, Matt Vaux have all been great for us this season," he said.

Berry have had a mixed fortnight, thrashing struggling Batemans Bay 52-0 in round two. But they were on the wrong end of a 42-18 belting from Warilla-Lake South Gorillas last weekend.

Berry-Shoalhaven coach Trent Burns was disappointed with last weekend's performance and will want his side to bounce back immediately.

Competition leaders Shoalhaven Jets host the unpredictable Warilla tomorrow.

The Gorillas were outstanding against Berry and coach Peter Hooper wants more of the same.

"It was good to get things back to normal with a victory and everybody chipped in, which was good," he said.

"The Jets are going well. Our plan will be to keep a simple structure and dominate the ruck."

Hooper believes it will be a tight competition.

'You look at the ladder, there is not much in it from top to bottom."

In tomorrow's other matches Milton-Ulladulla host premiers Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles, while Kiama Knights travel to Ron Costello Oval to play Shellharbour.

Batemans Bay have the bye and earn their first points of the season.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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