THE Cootamundra Bulldogs will face the challenge of playing the tournament hosts when they kick start the 2010 rugby league season at the West Wyalong Knock Out tonight.
The Bulldogs are drawn to play the Mallee Men at 8.10pm, the third of six first round matches to be
decided on the night.
The six winners, along with the Junee Diesels who have been given a first round bye, and the highest ranked loser will progress to tomorrow’s finals series, with Cootamundra Bulldogs coach Dale Thompson adamant his side can jump the first hurdle.
Thompson will be on debut tonight in terms of coaching and will unearth a side that is almost
exclusively made up of local talent.
Of the 18 players who will make the trip only four didn’t play their junior football in town, while two of the quartet Anthony Grounds and Grant Miller have been part of the Bulldogs’ fabric for almost a decade.
“You can definitely say we’ll have a local flavour this year,” Thompson said.
“Among the 18 are Chris Maher, Matt Forsyth, Tom Warner and Matt Garness who were all part of the under 18s premiership winning side from last year, so it’s a great chance for those guys to stake a claim for a regular first grade jumper.”
Thompson put his players through a searching
training session on Tuesday night and believes an edge in fitness will be paramount to the Bulldogs’ success this season.
“There’s no denying the fact we’ll be a bit short on in the size department, but we will look to compensate for that through speed and skill.” he said.
“Just with the 18 players we’re taking to Wyalong, the skill level within the side is amazing.
“It will be a goal of ours all year to control the ruck and therefore the speed of the game.
“We need to be fast and effective when we’re in
possession and then slow the opposition down when they have the ball.”
This weekend’s knockout gives Thompson a chance to work on a number of combinations, with Maher named to partner Joel Pettit in the halves.
“Chris has looked excellent at training, has worked really hard and deserves first crack in the number six (five eighth),” Thompson said.
“I’m really keen to see how he combines with Joel at half and Aaron Byrne who will start the match at
hooker.”
Byrne is one of three players, the others being Grant Boyd and Robert Tulenew, who are returning to the kennel after tasting premiership success with Sawtell last year.
“It was a great experience (the northern venture) for the three of them and the experience they gained up north will be a huge benefit to the club,” Thompson said.
“I’m also keen to have a first hand look at Tyson Astill who has joined us from Harden.
“He has looked great at training and has a bit of size about him.”
Riverina fullback Grant Miller will begin another season in the number one jumper, while last year’s Under 18s Weissel Medalist Matt Forsyth will start on one wing and the versatile James Smith on the other.
Tulenew will partner a bulked up Ben Warner in the centres, Maher and Pettit are the halves while the
forward pack consists of Aaron Vitnell, Aaron Byrne and Grant Boyd in the front row, captain Anthony Grounds and the explosive Ben Witenden in the second row and Michael Murphy at lock.
The Bulldogs will boast a strong and versatile bench of Nathan Corby, Tyson Astill, Tom Warner, Matt Garness and Luke Johnson.
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