TAMWORTH Thunderbolt coach John Ireland might have something of a dead rubber on his hands for tonight’s State League clash with Grafton Vikings but he’ll be on a “razor edge” for the game, tipping off at 7pm in the Thunderdome.

The razor part comes from the arrival of three West Sydney Razorbacks – Damian Martin, Graeme Dann and Clint Reed – in Tamworth for two special coaching camps in the Thunderdome and up at Armidale’s Den.

The West Sydney Razorback trio run a camp at the Thunderdome from 10am today open to all juniors and costing $35 a head. Tomorrow they’re off to Armidale for another clinic beginning 10.30am and costing $30 per child.

Registrations for the Armidale clinic can be made through Julie Monaghan (67727771) while Karen Irwin at the Thunderdome (67622986) is handling today’s clinic.

Ireland has organised the Razorbacks through his long friendship with Martin.

“We went to school together, grew up together back in Gloucester,” Ireland said.

“Damian went right through the AIS and the US College

program.

“He played the just-completed season with the Razorbacks but suffered a season-ending knee injury early in the season. Had a full knee reconstruction.

“It’s great having the three of them up here.

“We’ll go up to Armidale Sunday morning as well.”

His good mate will also be able to cast an eye over his coaching skills and team as they prepare for next weekend’s big home SL semi-final against Macarthur.

“Saturday night is a bit of dead rubber though after we had our brain snap, or our brain cramp against Maitland last Saturday night,” he said.

The Thunderbolt men could have finished first in their SL Northern division.

As it is, they can only finish second to a Grafton Vikings they beat in the Thunderdome two weeks ago.

“But the Vikings have Mitch Cole back for this game,” Ireland said of the strengthened Vikings.

“And Stuie Balcombe flew out for Canada the other day. Rhys Porter is also unavailable this weekend.”

Porter filled in for Balcombe as a guard in Newcastle last weekend and did well in the three spot.

“We’ll have Rhys back for the semis though,” Ireland said.

“Other than that, we are pretty much at full strength.

“And they will be full strength with Mitch back as well.

“So it’s going to be a pretty good game and a good preparation for us to play a strong metro side.”

THUNDERBOLT SQUAD: Ben Monckton, Chris Keech, Chris Skilton (capt), Teangi Knox, Paul Brooks, Jason Dart, Ben Muir, Huntley Mitchell, Mitch Shaw, Josh Deland. Coach - John Ireland.