The North Tamworth Bears played out an 18-all draw against Terrigal on Saturday.
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For a large chunk of the squad, it was their first hit-out for 12 months which showed, coach Brad McManus said.
"Things were pretty clunky but it was good to get that first run on the board," he said.
"We've lost a few. We're working with a new group with some young blokes - I'm pretty happy with where we're at."
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Of those younger players in the team is a quartet who were among North Tamworth's best on the weekend.
"Dan Kelly, Liam Ball, Zac Coleman and Malachi Roberts - they're all out of last year's 18s squad so that's a pretty fair effort," McManus said of the juniors stepping up to the seniors.
"The boys have been training hard and working hard."
McManus also said the forward pack "went pretty well" in the trial game and made mention of Tom Woolaston and Ben Jarvis' efforts on Saturday.
Woolaston returned to Norths last year for one final season at the club but prolonged his stay after the 2020 season was abandoned.
"Covid hit so he hung around for another 12 months," McManus said.
"I think he's just bought a house in town so not sure what he's doing but he's definitely here for the next 12 months."
McManus said Woolaston was a welcome addition to the squad after the loss of experience in the forward pack with the likes Shane Wadwell and Nic Dobson hanging up the boots.
"He's been away and had a couple years in Newcastle and in Brisbane. He's been playing some decent footy wherever he's been," McManus said.
The Bears will have another hit-out at Muswellbrook later this month.
"We're still over a month and half away from the competition and we've got another trial against Muswellbrook on the 27th [of March] and we'll look for another one in mid-April before the season starts," McManus said.
McManus wasn't sure what Josh Schmiedel would be doing this in season 2021.
Schmiedel answered an SOS call to play for the Greater Northern Tigers last week and after the match said Norths, Gunnedah and Aberdeen were all options - if he plays at all.
"I'm just weighing up my options," he said.
"I will be doing a bit more fitness though and then make a decision."
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