After a disappointing 2009 Group 11 rugby league season the Cobar Roosters, under new coach Cole Jermyn, are hopeful of ‘delivering the goods’ in 2010.
Training for all three grades is scheduled to commence on Monday February 1 at Ward Oval with the first pre-season trial match against Group 14 club Gilgandra set down for the weekend of April 10 and 11.
Secretary Michael Hart is confident the Roosters can turn around last season’s poor form and issue a strong challenge for 2010 premiership honours.
“The Cobar Roosters are pleased to announce Cole Jermyn has been appointed First Grade captain coach for the 2010 season,” Hart said last Monday.
“Ben Wright has been appointed under-18 coach with the reserve grade coaching role left open pending further negotiations with players from Bourke.
“2009 was a tough year for Cobar rugby league with the loss of key players with the economic downturn making it difficult to field two grade sides each week.
“However, we are confident 2010 will be a much better season with the signing of two new front rowers, a second rower and a centre to boost the first grade side.
“As was the case when Cobar went from bottom of the comp in 2004/2005 to first grade premiers in 2006, we believe there is no reason, with the new playing roster and the support of our major sponsor Cobar Bowling and Golf Club, that we can’t challenge for a premiership in 2010.”
Michael Hart said Cobar should have a strong first grade side for 2010 with several former players returning to the town plus a couple of new signings and a likely contingent from Bourke.
“At Bourke there are at least 10 players, who previously haven’t turned out in the Roosters’ colours, training each week with strong interest from another four experienced players keen to return to rugby league,” he said.
Group 11 officials also have every right to be confident of a successful 2010 season heading into the NRL trial in Dubbo next month and a firm commitment from Cobar Roosters and other clubs that they will be fielding a full complement of teams in the domestic season.
Bob Walsh, the Group 11 secretary, last week said the season was building up nicely - starting with the arrival in Dubbo of the Canterbury Bulldogs and Canberra Raiders for a trial on February 27.
And any doubts about the viability of Cobar in 2010 have been dashed with the club being the first to enter in all three grades.
Walsh and Group 11 president Ross McDermott couldn’t be happier.
“It’s just a fortnight into the new year and already people are talking about rugby league. That’s good,” Walsh said.
“Indications we will have a bumper crowd at Apex Oval for the Bulldogs Raiders game with grandstand tickets being very popular. This will be the last trial for both teams before the start of the NRL season proper and as a result we expect both to field their top squads.
“The Dubbo RSL Club is the main point of sale but all Group 11 clubs have an allocation of tickets to sell which will see them share in profits from the promotion.
“After an uncertain end to the 2009 season by Cobar, they thought they would have trouble selling their 200 tickets, but already they have requested more.
“Hopefully all other clubs will have the same response.”
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