Group 20 rugby league
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LEETON has revealed a new mentor for the 2013 season, naming Willie McDonald as the club's new playing coach.
The forward will be coming with a strong playing background and success as a coach, leading Moss Vale to a drought-breaking Group 6 premiership in 2010.
He also has a link to Leeton, having played under Warren Weir when he coached Tumut in 2006.
"I was looking for a change and was looking at moving away from the highlands," McDonald said.
"Leeton rang me up and my wife's from Tumut so it is closer for her to see her family.
"I am pretty much coming in blind.
"I had a few chats with Warren Weir and asked around about the club. It was all good news, no negatives."
Greens president Steve Preston and committee members met with McDonald and were happy to offer him the position.
Preston said after advertising, the club had met dead ends with finding a coach, with McDonald's name coming from good old-fashioned research and phoning clubs who were also looking for coaches about their other applicants.
"We contacted Warren for a reference and it was glowing," Preston said.
"He was full of praise so we put all our efforts into getting him."
McDonald will arrive in Leeton mid-January to kick off the club's pre-season. Without seeing what players are at his disposal, he wouldn't commit to a coaching style, but would not come in without ideas.
"The two years I did I turned into a defence-orientated coach," McDonald said. "But I believe in team input.
"All the senior players have a say in how to turn the team. I will fine-tune that and find what's best for the team.
"It will take a little while, but I've got a few game plans at the back of my head."
As a well as a new coach, Leeton has also gained some fresh playing faces in former foes Andrew Lavaka (Waratah Tigers, Yenda), Chris Latu (Black and Whites) and Kolo Lomu (Yenda), and Jason Taylor (south west Queensland, Ipswich, Canberra).
However, that has been off-set by the loss of Andrew Smith (Coffs Harbour), Noa Fotu (Wagga Brothers) and Luke Thompson (Forbes).
"We were disappointed to lose Noa, then Andrew and now Luke," Preston said.
"They are all quality players,
all rep players. Luke being our coach this year, was sought after.
"But, with the ones we've picked up, we're confident we can fill the spots."