KOOTINGAL Rooster prop Dan Greenwood will be one of the club’s trump cards when they tackle Werris Creek Magpies in today’s top-of-the -table Group 4 Second Division clash at Kootingal Oval.
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At least that’s what injured captain-coach Nathan Hamlin believes.
“He struggled to make the bench three years ago,” Hamlin said.
“Now he’s one of our best. He’s worked so hard on his game.”
It’s something of a new-look team too, built on the core of last year’s side that made the grand final but with additions such as Brendan Austin and Josh Crittenden, former Pirates and North Tamworth centre Andrew Moodie and the return of former hooker Daniel Sullivan.
Sullivan has not played for a number of years but impressed Hamlin with his on and off-field work.
“We do have a lot more depth this year,” Hamlin said.
“Shaun Stevenson has also signed on and he’s going to add a bit of size in the pack.”
Hamlin said “getting the side to gel” will be his biggest concern and knows the Magpies will offer a big test today after their good start to the season.
“It’s also our first home game (Boggabri forfeited their first-round game) and we hope to get a good crowd.
“The boys have been itching to play at home.”
Werris Creek coach Lindsay Bowne returns from a short holiday on the North Coast hopeful his side can eradicate the error rate from last week’s narrow win over Quirindi.
His side turned the ball over 26 times and had him “chewing the dashboard “ in frustration after leaving last Saturday’s game after full- time for a quick getaway to a family holiday.
While disappointed with their errors, he’s certain they have the ability to turn that around.
“We can play good football,” he said.
“They showed that against Dungowan when we won that night game at Jack Woolaston Oval.
“The boys can play some great football.”
While the top-of-the-table clash holds much of the attention, reigning premiers Dungowan Cowboys return to their Dungowan Recreation reserve for the first of four successive home games when they host Uralla.
The Tigers won’t be easy though after a 74-14 win over Manilla Tigers at Uralla last Saturday.
The return of outstanding young back Jordan Press from the Newcastle Knights is a big boost for the Tigers and he will take some stopping with his speed and strength.
In other games, Boggabri hosts Barraba, Manilla is at home to Bendemeer and Quirindi Grasshoppers welcome Walcha Roos to Quirindi Sportsground.
