WESTERN Rams under 18s coach Kurt Hancock has been impressed by the work rate of his players ahead of this Saturday's trial game against Riverina at Forbes, but none more so than those who have narrowly missed out on selection in previous seasons.
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Hancock said the mentality among the new group of boys is setting the team up well for their Laurie Daley Cup bid in 2021.
"Our attitude over the trials have been really good in the 18s, because those guys played some footy through COVID. I'm really pleased with the 18s, and we've had a few guys come back from playing last year as 17-year-olds," he said.
"But there's guys who missed out at both the 16s and 17s who have developed really well over the last six months of footy, and they've worked their way into this last squad of 24. That's the most rewarding thing to see in this program."
Hancock said several returners from last season's under 18s campaign are ready and raring to take up an extra level of responsibility.
"Aston Warwick is one of those guys. He's currently at Penrith Panthers doing pre-season," he said.
"Braye Porter, Finlay Nelson are guys who have made country 16s a couple of years ago and are the guys you look to this year.
"Josh Belfanti from Bathurst and Billy Statham from Cowra are others doing some work with Panthers."
Under 16s coach Tony Woolnough is looking forward to seeing what his charges can do.
"We cut the squad right before Christmas and got together last Thursday, that was a lot to do with testing and things like that, we squeezed in some ball-work at the end, but we haven't had that chance to sit down as a whole and talk as a squad," Woolnough said.
"Before Christmas, there was a lot of time together, we had all the 18s, 17s and 16s working together, but we've really just started properly last Thursday.
"We'll get through the trial this weekend and then the one the weekend after and then we'll see what happens."
The event is ticketed through 123tix, with the gates opening at 4pm.
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Alexander Grant
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
