COOTAMUNDRA Bulldogs fans have been handed a pre-Christmas gift with
the announcement the club has signed a powerhouse front rower from England for the 2012 season.
Kyle Neal, who stands around 6’3 and tips the scales at more than 100kg, will make the move to Australia in late February or early March to link with the Bulldogs.
A former Warrington Wolves junior, Neal has played his most recent football for the Irlam Hornets in the Salford region.
Bulldogs coach Aaron Byrne, who has been keeping in contact with Neal via Facebook, is excited at the prospect of
working with the giant forward.
“He is a big dude,” Byrne said.
“From all reports he is a powerful front rower who also has some handy ball skills.
“Liam (Duffy who played with the Bulldogs this year), knows him and said he’s comparable to any of the leading forwards in Group Nine.
“He was part of the Warrington academy program as a 16 and 17 year old and spent this season at Irlam.”
Cootamundra secretary Mick Bucknell said it was Neal who approached the club about the possible move.
“We were speaking to Kyle and his
brother prior to last year, but nothing came of it,” Bucknell said.
“Kyle contacted us a few weeks ago and asked if we were still in the market for a front rower and we said yes.
“From what I’m told he’s not a small man and we’re very excited that he’s coming.”
The signing of Neal will make up, in part, for the loss of a number of key players from this year’s first grade squad.
“It’s no secret we’ve lost a few,” Bucknell said.
“Grant (Boyd) and Robert (Tulenew) are off to Darwin and there’s a possibility we won’t have Murph (Michael Murphy).
“Brad Nicoll will be returning to Junee as his father Lloyd has taken on the president’s job over there.
“Brad was one of our best last year
and we’ll certainly miss him, but we can
completely understand it given the
circumstances.”
Despite the losses, Bucknell is confident the Bulldogs will field a very competitive outfit.
“We have re-signed a nucleus from this year’s squad,” he said.
“Obviously Aaron is back on deck as coach and we’ve also negotiated terms with Grant Miller, Joel Pettit, Aaron Vitnell, Chris Maher, Ben Witenden and Liam Duffy.
“We are in the market for a five-eighth and have the feelers out.”
The Bulldogs are also believed to be
talking to two former players, both of who were members of the 2005 premiership
winning side.
Byrne said he is excited about the
youthfulness of the side.
Apart from Funky (Miller) and Joel (Pettit) it’s a pretty young team and with youth comes enthusiasm,” he said.
“Kyle is only 24 as well so he’ll slot into the plans very well.”
Byrne said he is yet to confirm a starting date for training however has hinted the players may be asked to meet once a week early in the New Year.
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