PETER Stevens might have won a Group 19 premiership with Inverell Hawks last year and, while he doesn’t have a Group 19 gig this year, he certainly has plenty of Greater Northern Tiger coaching responsibility.
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The former Warialda and Inverell hooker is a coaching and development manager for Country Rugby League.
He is also one of two head coaches of the Greater Northern Academy and is also coach of a Greater Northern Under 18 side which plays Western in this Saturday’s CRL Under 18 Country Championship semi- final in Dubbo.
He will also coach the Group 19 Under 15s this season.
However, Stevens is also the Greater Northern Tigers senior men’s coach and was on board Sunday for the annual Greater Northern Regional Championships at North Tamworth’s Jack Woolaston Oval.
There he saw Group 4 win the Jim Sharpe Cup with wins over Group 19 (48-20) and Group 21 (14-10).
“They have named a good side,” Stevens said.
“Everyone looks to have pulled up all right but it’s going to be a big ask against Newcastle, especially as the Group 4 boy’s haven’t played a lot of footie yet this season.
“That’s the big worry.”
Lack of match fitness could tell against a Newcastle side that is well into its season whereas Group 4 starts its first division competition this weekend.
Group 21 and 19 have already played three rounds.
Stevens’ other worry is the loss of stars such as Tim Smith and Ben Hagan from last year’s GN Tiger side.
“Tim has a knee injury and was unavailable for the trials and Ben has retired,” he said.
“They are big losses.
“But Daniel Ritter is right. He needs no introductions, has played NSW Country a number of times and it is great to have him on board.
“Then we have experienced players such as Shane Wadwell, Trent Hilton and Gary McKeon. Gary looked very good for Group 21 and showed good leadership on Sunday as well.”
Stevens’ side will train next Wednesday night and then again the following Monday before “going into camp on May 13 in readiness for the May 14 clash against Newcastle at Wyong.
