DESPITE Werris Creek's 54-22 loss at the hands of North Tamworth on Saturday, the club took several positives from the game.
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One of which, was the impressive debut of former Gunnedah Bulldogs captain Callum Hayne.
Lining up at dummy half for most of the game, Hayne made an immediate impression on his new teammates.
His performance also drew the applause of Magpies coach Ron Dellar.
"Cal has fit in really well since deciding to make the move over here," Dellar told the Leader.
"He's a quality player and I am confident he will continue to gel with his new teammates as the season rolls on."
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Hayne made the move to join Werris Creek in March after he had experimented with a move to the Gunnedah Red Devils.
The move to switch codes and leave the Bulldogs came last year after the club elected not to resign Hayne's father Sean as head coach.
Hayne said the move to Werris Creek had been a positive one so far.
"It's going pretty well, I knew a few blokes over here before I came over, which has made it pretty easy," Hayne said.
"I think that made it pretty easy to fit in but everyone at the club has been really welcoming as well.
"I was pretty to keen to go around with the boys this season and it's been going pretty good so far."
Hayne is not the only former Gunnedah Bulldog to make the switch to Werris Creek this season, with Sam Lumby also making the move.
"It's been really good to have both of those boys with us this season," Dellar said.
"They both add a lot to the group and are both pretty talented footballers.
"I think it says a lot about our club that both of those blokes would want to come here and we are more than happy to have them."
Hayne said his brief experience with rugby union was positive, but he ultimately opted to stick with rugby league.
"I went to training a few times with all of the boys and it just wasn't for me," he said.
"I really love league so I thought I would come back, have a crack and stick at it."
As for the season ahead, Hayne believes the Magpies will be "a pretty competitive team" throughout the year.
"We were a little bit off the mark in today's [Saturday's] game," he said.
"Some aspects were still pretty good, while others still need a bit of work.
"You can't afford to give teams like North Tamworth as much of the ball as we did, defend the way we did and expect to be in the game."
Hayne said the Bears would be "the benchmark again this season."
"I think most people probably thought heading into the season they would be the team to beat," he said.
"I'm not sure how all of the other teams are shaping up, but I'd say Norths are going to be pretty tough to beat, based on what we saw this weekend."
The Magpies will now look to bounce back from their round one defeat when they play host to the Narrabri Blues on May 11.