KOOTINGAL Roosters are hopeful a trial game at home to the "town on the $10 note" might attract more players for its foray into its first second grade side.
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The Roosters play Gulgong Terriers in a pre-season trial at Kootingal Oval this Saturday, advised club president Lad Jones.
The Terriers play in the Castlereagh league, the former Group 14, against Trangie, Dunedoo, Baradine, Cobar, Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Binnaway and Gilgandra.
"They are bringing two sides, firsts and reserves for the trial at Kootingal this Saturday," Jones confirmed.
"At this stage we have 28 players coming to training but we need more. It's not a time to panic but we need the reserve graders to start turning up.
"I know a lot are still playing Oz Tag but we need them to start turning up. Hopefully this trial will help create a bit of interest."
The Roosters have never had a second grade side but realised last year when they suffered a number of injuries to key players late in the season they needed to have a far bigger back-up for the first grade side.
They lost their preliminary final to Gunnedah at Kootingal in a season that had promised much.
They have also lost three or four key players from last year's squad, Mitch Doring (Manilla), Phil Beaton (retired), Ryan Martin (England) and Mitch Dening (rugby union) but have a number of other "new recruits".
"Ben Williams is back after playing with Coonamble last year," Jones said.
"Grayson Bradbury is also back. Benny, Bluey (Anthony) Smith and Jordo (Jordan Sharpe) are all approaching their 10th year with the club, Brodie Sowter is also playing along with Cameron McDonald, Chris Vidler and Yum Yum (Kyle Cochrane). So it's a healthy squad with a fair bit of experience."
He said Saturday's trial against Gulgong starts 2.30pm and will be preceded by an "opposed session" between the under-18's and Ladies League Tag sides.
Aaron Hall is coaching the Ladies League Tag side, who are the defending premiers, Tim Walsh has the under-18 side and Damien Allan, who coached the LLT side to its maiden premiership last year, has the second grade squad. Dustin Munn is Allan's assistant and Paul Noldt is first grade coach Geoff Sharpe's assistant.
The senior Kootingal club has also given the canteen and BBQ for Saturday's trial to the local junior league, Jones said.
"We want to rebuild a bridge between the senior and junior leagues," he said.
"They (juniors) are looking healthy too. Things are looking up for our small tightly knit community."
