Muswellbrook’s Kyle Smith upends Farrer’s Trent Eather in Saturday’s GNA trials in Tamworth. Photo: Grant Robertson 061012GRB33
WESTS Greater Northern Academy selectors will sit down today and argue about just who should be part of this summer’s program and who will miss out.
Saturday’s trials at Scully Park saw more than 60 players put their hand up for selection and the standard on show will also make it difficult for the coaching staff to decide who makes the cut.
“I think it was one of the strongest trials we’ve had,” GNA head coach Peter Stevens said.
“It was hot, as it always is, but it was a strong trial.
“The first few will pick themselves but after that it will be an effort.
“The video will definitely come into it.
“There will be some bits we’ll have to watch again and again.”
62 players from Groups 4, 19 and 21 came to Scully Park in Tamworth to trial for the squad and a few others also nominated but were unable to play due to injury or other commitments.
Those players will still be considered.
With 16 returning from last year, that means that only about 25 or 26 of those who nominated will make the cut and that creates a headache for the coaches.
Picking the right mix of younger and older kids and the right combination of players in each position can also be difficult, especially with a glut of players in some positions and a scarcity in others.
For example, only one player nominated as a halfback for the trial, which was a surprise.
“There were a lot of five-eighths and hookers,” Stevens said.
“The outside backs didn’t see a lot of it.
“But they were the ones scoring the tries so you have to look at that.”
Today’s video session will make the picture a lot clearer.
The squad will be named on Wednesday and will then gather in Tamworth on October 20 for induction and testing.