Group 20 Rugby league
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ONE thing the Leeton Greens have not been doing this pre-season is preparing for tonight's West Wyalong Knockout.
The Greens will not be taking part in the annual tournament because of a shortage of manpower due to the wedding of teammate Adam Frazer and the late arrival of new coach Willy McDonald.
McDonald has a football background that includes being a Group 7 representative player, premiership-winning coach and playing Bartercard Cup in New Zealand and is happy to be in charge of the Greens.
"I'm enjoying it," he said. "It started off a bit slow until you get numbers, but it's starting to build up. We haven't been doing too much yet, but we're starting to work on more game-orientated stuff."
By missing West Wyalong, Leeton's pre-season will start with the Paul Kelly Cup on March 10, the inaugural inter-group competition from March 23 to April 7 and the season proper on April 20-21.
"There's quite a big gap," McDonald said."You want to go into the trials games with some stuff, but you don't want to peak too early because you end up burning out halfway through the year.
"It would be nice to play a full game, but having these four other weekends of playing footy, trying to get another week in, you want to freshen up before the comp, you don't want to be playing a full game now."
While Leeton lost some big names over summer, it has scored Group 20 players Andrew Lavaka, Chris Latu and Kolo Lomu, as well as Jason Taylor from Dirranbandi in south west Queensland.
Taylor has more recently played in Queensland, including under Trevor Gillmeister for a few years at the Ipswich Jets, as well as a year at West Belconnen.
"I'm a bit of a journeyman you could say," Taylor said.
"I'm getting to the latter days of my career, but I'm still happy running around."
Taylor, who is a forward that is versatile enough to play anywhere on the paddock, was contacted by the club out of the blue and, after initially ignoring the call, wound up driving 13 hours to see Leeton for himself. He said he was looking forward to getting out of the city.
"I was happy with everyone I met," he said. "I think pretty much football comes first, family second with these guys."
The Greens will also welcome back former player Jeremy Panuccio, four seasons after his last regular first grade appearance, while Albert Iannelli is back in senior contention after a year off and the likes of Todd Prest will push up from the under 18s.
Leeton has indicated it will be fielding a regular team and reserve grade league tag competition. Set up for clubs that can field a second team, the competition could still vary from round-to-round.
'CANES BACK WITH A BANG
THE temperatures may still be well into the 30s, but football season starts tonight.
More accurately, the rugby league pre-season commences with the West Wyalong Knockout.
The Bidgee Hurricanes have kept quiet over summer after a stellar debut Group 20 season in 2012, but they will be one of only four teams from the group playing at West Wyalong this year � along with grand finalists Tullibigeal-Lakes United and West Wyalong, and Darlington Point-Coleambally.
Coach Chris Bamford said his boys are itching to get the season proper started, but will be happy with a pre-season hit-out.
"We just can't wait for the Group 20 comeptition," Bamford said.
"The West Wyalong comp is just a trial, if we win it's a bonus. We're not going in with a winner-take-all attitude."
The Hurricanes will face Orange CYMS tonight, who have won back-to-back premierships in Group 10.
"Apparently they're pretty stacked, they're favourites to win at Wyalong," Bamford said.
"We know they're a good side, but we know we're a good side so we're looking forward to it."
The game will kick off at 9.25pm this evening, which Bamford said is ideal for preparations.
"You can go as soon as you finish work," he said.
"I told the boys to get over there early, relax, chill, get strapped and enjoy it."
After setting up last pre-season, the Hurricanes have recruited wisely, including Sean Scott, most recently from Linwood Keas in the Canterbury Rugby League competition in New Zealand, Kye Longford from Leeton and another familiar face.
"Willie Newton will be back in the centres," Bamford said. "They say he's a try-scoring machine.
"Regan Crockett is back and he's lost 25kg, so that is one back in the forward pack.
"We'll have a key signing in another two weeks.
"He is another centre for us so we are looking good for this year. On paper we're definitely unbeatable."
Neville Bamblett has taken over reserve grade coaching duties and numbers for the two senior teams are looking good so far, which makes Bamford happy.
"The boys are pumped," he said.
"We were third last year and we've kept the same side, plus four good signings. They want to stay on because they can sniff a premiership.
"We will work on defence this year. We can score some points, but we're only as good as our defence."