Captain's profile: Melville Gravett

Marlow captain Melville Gravett will lead out a full-strength side for their FNB Classic Clash with Oakdale on Saturday.

This is a big deal for a side that have endured some mixed fortunes this year thanks to their lengthy injury list and has filled Gravett with confidence about their prospects this weekend.

The towering lock who stands at 1.94 metres only moved to Marlow from Noord Kaap in Grade 10, but says that he has learned a lot since arriving at the school.

"This is not a big school but everyone here works hard and that is what we need to do against Oakdale," he said.

Gravett leads an experienced side that includes nine Matrics, but he is aware that nothing less than a full effort will be good enough.

"It is tough against Oakdale but we have been quite good defensively this season and we have put in a lot of hard work this week so hopefully we can do it," he said.

The big second row forward, who will move to Bloemfontein to play for the Cheetahs next year, has targeted a fast start as important for his team to dominate the match.

"We have to put them on the back foot from the start, so it will have to be a big effort from the forwards and if we can keep the ball then we have a chance," he explained.