Comets keen to snare a win at home

BIG MAN: Hopefully the fans at Browne Park will see Darren Mapp in action this afternoon.

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IT IS the last CQ Comets home game and supporters will be hoping the introduction of big Nick Kenny will help the home team to victory.

Thoughts of finals football disappeared weeks ago for both the Comets and tonight’s opponent Tweed Heads, but that does not mean there is little to play for – especially for the home side.

The last thing the Comets need is a must-win game at Ipswich next week to decide which of those two teams pick up the wooden spoon.

Coach Wayne Barnett knows bottom place is not the ideal launching pad for the 2011 season, therefore a win tonight could lift the Comets to the comparative respectability of third from bottom.

However, Barnett also has revenge on his mind as Tweed Heads gave the Comets a bit of hammering in their match earlier in the season.

While the Seagulls were not many places above the Comets on the competition ladder, Barnett said the visitors had a number of talented and experienced footballers in the squad.

The most experienced of the lot is Brad Davis.

The Tweed five-eighth pulls the strings for his side and can destroy an opposition with his kicking game.

Tweed is not short of players with experience at NRL clubs with the Josh Graham a veteran of both league and union and Kayne Lawton fresh from a spell at the Melbourne Storm.

Another player the Comets will be keen to stop is the explosive Shannon Walker who is capable of turning a game on its head.

For Barnett the main concerns are regarding his own team and he feels the introduction of the big frame of Kenny is already boosting the squad.

“He trained with us last night (Thursday) and he lifted the boys a level,” Barnett said.

“He has experience, size and a good work ethic.”

Another boost for the Comets was the return to training of hooker/five-eighth Ian Webster.

“He had a run with us, but he is at least a week away from playing,” Barnett said.

Even if the Comets get Webster back for the one game against Ipswich it would be a bonus as his shoulder injury was expected to end his season.

Another player, hopefully, making a return to the squad is forward Darren Mapp.

Barnett has had his name on the team sheet many times in past weeks without the big man ever getting on to the park.

The coach said Mapp was testing himself out again at last night’s training session, but was hopeful that this time he would make it after suffering a hamstring injury.

With it being the last home game of the season for the Comets and also with the club holding its “Old Boys Reunion” there should be a big crowd at Browne Park tonight.

Kick-off is 7pm.

ROUND 21

The Comets’ team to meet Tweed Heads at Browne Park tonight is:

1: Junior Auru 2. Joe Collins-Soo 3. Tyron Haynes 4. Dallas Williams 5.Cooper Nobbs 6. Guy Williams 7. Marc Webb 8. Tim Glasby 9. Marc Fickling 10. Nick Kenny 11. Chris Gesch 12: Chris Beasley 13. Mick Esdale 14. Guy Ford 15. Darren Mapp16. Gerard Parle 17. Liam Anlezark

Points:- Souths Logan 30, Norths Devils 29, Wynnum Manly 25, Sunshine Coast 24, Northern Pride 24, Burleigh Bears 23, Mackay Cutters 21, Redcliffe Dolphins 21, Tweed Heads 15, Easts Tigers 10, CQ Comets 10, Ipswich Jets 8.

This week:- Mackay v Ipswich, Comets v Tweed Heads, Easts v Souths, Wynnum v Redcliffe, Northern Pride Norths, Burleigh v Sunshine Coast.