Tim Coates and Andy Cygan: Gunnedah and OVA to meet on Saturday

OVA, the veteran mentor said, never had trouble staying grounded.

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"We're not optimistic," he insisted. "We're just taking it one game at a time and just playing what's in front of us."

The competition's only other undefeated side, Gunnedah FC, will be in front of Oxley Vale Attunga at Riverside 3 on Saturday.

"They've been going really well ... looking forward to the challenge," Coates said, adding: "If you're the premiers from one year, everyone wants to beat you the next year, which is how it should be.

"So we're running into some stiff opposition ... it's a fairly level competition."

Coates said Gunnedah player-coach Andy Cygan was "a great bloke and very committed and coaches his side's well, so we're looking forward to the challenge".

"A couple of senior" Mushies had remarked that OVA was stronger than last season's side, Coates continued.

"Overall we're probably a stronger squad ... But every year you look at it like it's a bright shiny new toy, and you think, Is it better or is it not?" he said.

"It's a good side, it's a good club, it's good camaraderie, and they want to play for each other. So you can't ask for more than that."

One area where OVA may be stronger is in defence, with the recruitment in the off-season of left-back Riley Russell. He played for Valentine Phoenix.

"He's been a big bonus for us," Coates said. "But we also lost Jack Diebold, who was the golden boot last year. It's always swings and roundabouts with country sport."

As for the overall quality of the comp this year, Coates said he "was very pleased to see" Moore Creek recruit some players from Scone. OVA beat Moore Creek 3-2 last round.

"They're a much more balanced and a stronger side than last year," Coates said, adding that Kootingal coach Chris Jarrett "is doing a great job" despite the Kougars' winless start to the season.

"They'll be a force to be reckoned with going forward," he added.

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