Rabbitohs Head Coach, Michael Maguire, has given his insights into this Thursday’s Round 11 clash against the St George Illawarra Dragons in the Club’s own Indigenous Round.
Maguire named a settled line-up for the clash earlier today that largely resembles the team that defeated Parramatta in Round 10. But the injury of Michael Oldfield on the wing opened an opportunity that will now be filled by Indigenous live-wire, Cody Walker.
Walker made his debut for the Rabbitohs in Round 1 against the Roosters before going on to deputise at five-eighth for a number of matches during the absence of Club halfback, Adam Reynolds. Walker now gets his opportunity to impress on the wing wearing the Club’s Indigenous jersey.
“Cody has been working hard as we always talk about,” said Maguire.
“Full credit to him – he’s obviously had a taste of first grade and he’s gone away and worked really hard and we’re sticking him out on the wing. You might find him down the back at some stages.
“To have Cody come back in, we all know what he’s capable of and (I’m) looking forward to him jumping on the back of what we’re building.”
While pleased with his side’s Round 10 victory, Maguire says that he and his side will now build on the performance in order to get the win this week.
“There’s still a lot of work to do,” said Maguire.
“We obviously were able to find our defence and the way that we’ve been working out on the practice park.
“But it’s about making sure we’re turning up and doing it over and over now. A good performance, but in saying that, there’s a lot of areas around our attack that we want to improve, and individually (defensively) there’s areas we’re looking at to get better.”
The Rabbitohs will wear a special Indigenous jersey this Thursday, designed by Sydney-based Indigenous designer, Nikita Ridgeway – one that tells the stories of six of the Club’s Indigenous.
Two important Australian organisations with a focus on Indigenous people and causes, KARI Aboriginal Resources and Recognise, also feature on the jersey thanks to Rabbitohs co-major partner Crown Resorts.
Stay tuned to Rabbitohs.com.au as we roll out interviews with our Indigenous Rabbitohs players, community leaders and a whole lot more in the coming week!
Purchase your tickets to the Club’s Indigenous Round celebration at ANZ Stadium by clicking here!
Purchase your very own Rabbitohs 2016 jersey, also AVAILABLE IN WOMENS, by clicking here!
Click here for Match Day Information.