Paddy Bowen, president of the Wauchope rugby union club, is one of the true believers, convinced the Thunder can upset the unbeaten Manning River Ratz's apple cart and claim this year's Lower Mid North Coast premiership double.
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"We won the women's 10-a-side competition last year and then had two of our champions bought by rugby league raiders," he said.
"We rebuilt, and I still think we will win the competition.
"Our last two games against Manning River men's team have been excellent. They got down to kicks and we are confident we can upset them."
One of the outstanding players in the six-club men's competition has been the Thunder's "recruit" from the Macleay Valley Mustangs Rugby League Club, Stephan Blair, who has played in variety of positions from fullback to five-eighth, a superb handler of the ball and a genuine game-breaker.
But Bowen named his fullback Oliver Pascoe as the player to watch in Saturday's semi-final against the Ratz.
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He also remarked on the competitiveness of this season's Lower Mid North Coast competition, the healthy spirit among the players, and praised the Old Bar club for "showing up every week and being competitive in the set piece, at the scrum and in the lineouts.
"I think this year's competition has been the best ever despite all the difficulties with the coronavirus. The numbers at each game have been good and the attacking rugby has been pleasing.
"And I'm still tipping Thunder to meet the Ratz in the grand final."
For that to happen, who ever loses out of the two teams this Saturday will need to regroup and win their way through the preliminary final the following week to ensure a rematch in the grand final on October 3.
It is fascinating watching the development of the Wallamba team.
Under siege at the scrum, the experimentations continued with the husky Tongan, Hal Honema'u, moving to prop.
Where the Fijian, Atu Katonitabua, fits into the scheme of things remains to be seen.
The Manning River Ratz, unbeaten in the 10-game minor premiership, have every reason to be supremely confident in their well-balanced team, strong up front and with pace in their back line, from halfback Toby de Stefano to fullback Matt Bridge.
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