Group 16 clubs will welcome new and old faces for the 2018 season.
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The Bega Roosters will be buoyed largely by some key players returning to the ranks like Hayden Parbery and Jarrod Tamatea.
The hooker and front rower respectively have already made plenty of pre-season impact during exhibition play against Canberra and in the Nines tournament.
Meanwhile, the reserves and first grade will also benefit as the under 18s advance to their grade debuts.
Players like James Grant and Luke Dowdle will add impact for the Ryan Apps-coached Bega first grade.
The Roosters open their season against the Bay Tigers in Batemans Bay on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Candelo Bemboka Panthers are putting renewed focus into skills early in the 2018 season.
Club president Jake McDonald said the second grade Panthers had unfortunately lost a number of players and were a “bit light on”.
He said the club had gained some fresh new recruits and would focus energy on skills drills, while the front rower also welcomed the speedy new players to the strong line of big men.
“We have likely picked up a bit of speed with these guys, but we’ve also gained another front rower as well,
“We’ve been pretty focused on the skills as the fitness will come.”
McDonald said its a similar story for the league-tag Pink Panthers, who have picked up a few fresh faces to fill the void left by the in-form five-eighth Caitlin Johnson.
“Missing Caitlin will be a big loss for them, but they have picked up three or four new girls and should be across all the positions,” he said.
The Panthers will divide and conquer with the men to play Batemans Bay, while the ladies compete with Moruya on Sunday.
For Tathra, the story mimics that of Bega, with players who’ve been out of the comp returning to help rebuild the Sea Eagles.
“We’ve got guys who’ve been off the track coming back and it’s going to be awesome to see them in the colours again,” club president Peter Finucane said after the club met a player-number deadline earlier this year.
After almost falling short of the figures following a grading on key players, the Sea Eagles have rallied again to find the numbers and will also field some fresh new faces.
Mr Finucane said it was great to rebuild the maroon and white club from a community level.
The Sea Eagles will make their first Group 16 appearance in three years against the Bulldogs on Saturday.
Jacob McMaster
I am passionate about amplifying people's stories and trying to do them justice in the written word. I find pressure washing videos soothing. email me jacob.mcmaster@austcommunitymedia.com.au or 0406 212 845.
I am passionate about amplifying people's stories and trying to do them justice in the written word. I find pressure washing videos soothing. email me jacob.mcmaster@austcommunitymedia.com.au or 0406 212 845.
