NARRABRI Blues begin a new Woodleys Isuzu Ute Group 4 rugby league season with a new coach and a tough opening game at Gunnedah’s Kitchener Park on Sunday.
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Wayne Saunders has taken over from his former Blues teammate John Rumsby at Collins Park and is excited about the new look first and second grade competition.
The Narrabri painter has a “great bunch of young blokes” in training although work commitments could ensure a handful of players from both grades are unavailable for Sunday’s opening round and local derby.
The traditional derby game is also playing for the John Dallas Donnelly Memorial.
Tradition is something Saunders is big on.
He started playing for the Blues under-18’s as a 15-year-old and apart from a one year second division stint and then a three year spell at Wee Waa played until he was 36 for the Blues in first grade.
“We won the 1990 Group 4 first grade premiership,” Saunders recalled with a large smile.
“Kevin Hill coached us.”
It is something etched indelibly on his brain, something he will carry with him forever.
However he is also looking forward and “excited” about taking the helm from a former teammate and good mate.
He and Rumsby played 10 seasons or so together for the Blues and formed a bond only good mates can understand.
“I am excited about this new competition,” he said.
“They (Group 4) had to do something. I take my hat off to them for having a go. It might not work but they have got to have a try.”
He would love to be able to say he has good numbers to select sides from.
However they are “struggling”.
“We are struggling for players just because of work commitments,” Saunders said.
“Some of the players work in the mines. Already we have four or five unavailable for first grade this Sunday and another four or five in second grade as well.”
“We’re also struggling for girls as well. We’ve lost half a dozen to this new rugby sevens.”
“We do have a good bunch of kids for the 18s though. Have 18 or 19 for them.”
Saunders is also excited clubs such as Kootingal, Dungowan and Bendemeer will have the chance to play and experience the Collins Park “graveyard” for the first time.
Building that traditional feeling is something Saunders is keen to do.
He will have a good core of players with the likes of skipper Sean Russ, maybe the three Rumsby boys (sons of John), Brenton Cochrane and Hayden Bell.
