The North Tamworth Bears have a new coach in the shape of Paul Boyce and while he has brought a new structure to the club, he is delighted the side's former coach, Scott Blanch, is sticking around as a player.
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Blanch will be the Bears' captain when they host the Manilla Tigers in a season opener at Jack Woolaston Oval on Sunday.
"We are extremely lucky to have someone like him at the club," Boyce said.
Not only is Blanch remaining at the club as a player but he's joined the Bears committee, along with his wife, Millie.
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Blanch showed his versatility when he played hooker for the Greater Northern Tigers during their Country Championships campaign this year.
He was one of the Tigers' best in their semi-final loss to the Northern Rivers Titans.
Blanch will play five-eighth against Manilla, even though Boyce reckons hooker is his best position. Five-eighth is where he fits in best for the Bears, Boyce said.
"We should have a pretty strong team too," Boyce also said, adding: "We are looking forward to the new season.
"Manilla are going to be hard ... They are a bit of unknown quantity, coming up from second grade.
"They haven't had a trial game but they have a quality player and a quality coach in Mitch (Doring).
"He's sure to have them up and ready. They will be enthusiastic."
Boyce said any club that doesn't rate the Bears in 2022 will be making a mistake, while he also acknowledged the strength of clubs such as Narrabri and Kootingal-Moonbi.
"Last year's final four was going to be outstanding," he said of the abandoned 2021 semi-final series due to Covid.
"It was a very tight comp and it's going to be the same again (this year). That's good for the game in the region."
Three young Bears will also make their first-grade debuts against Manilla.
Adrian Graham will start at fullback, Ashton Constable on the wing and Kobe Bone at lock.
Graham is the son of reserve grade coach Jay Graham and a rising young star while Constable impressed in the recent trial at Denman.
Bone, Boyce said, is an energetic and enthusiastic addition to the pack after playing for the North Sydney Bears' SG Ball Cup side and Wyong last year.
"He's been a good addition, so energetic," Boyce said of the Bears junior.
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