Central North finalised their Country Championship preparations with a win over Mid North Coast to claim the Coast to Country Cup at Coffs Harbour on Saturday.
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The trial came on the tail of a training camp at Dorrigo and was the Kookaburras final hit-out before next month’s tournament at Port Macquarie.
They got home 19-12 after leading 19-nil heading into the last quarter, in what was another encouraging performance.
“The boys really stuck in against a very-improved Mid North Coast side,” co-coach Hunter Harley said.
He believes the Axeman will give the Richardson Shield a real shake with a few handy new recruits and some high profile assistance from the sidelines.
1999 World Cup-winning assistant coach Tim Lane and former Wallaby James Holbeck are part of the Axemen’s coaching staff.
One of the best things Harley has drawn from Saturday and the Border Cup earlier this month is the way the squad has come together.
“I haven’t seen a team be cohesive so quickly,” he said.
The squad appears to be developing nicely.
The weekend also unearthed a couple of exciting prospects like new Moree signing Sam Callow.
Last year’s Colts player of the County Championships, tackled and ran hard and was one of the Kookaburras best.
“He reminds me a lot of Matt Wannan,” Harley said.
Walcha’s Simon Newton and new Rams recruit Pat Keen also turned in impressive performances. Keen played outside centre and was one of about five players having their first run for the Kookaburras.
