GUNNEDAH will be looking to make it back-to-back War Veterans Cup titles when the new representative season begins on Sunday.
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Playing host to Inverell, Gunnedah will boast a very similar side to the one that, last season, claimed its first Cup victory since 1998.
Much like last season, Gunnedah will once again be captained by Mitchell Swain and Sam Doubleday.
Swain said the duo were keen to chase more success on behalf of their hometown this season.
"I think most of the boys are pretty keen to go around again this season," Swain told the Leader.
"The pride of playing for your town is certainly there amongst our guys and hopefully we can have another good summer this year."
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The make-up of this year's War Veterans Cup will be slightly different to last season after Armidale announced it would sit out the season and only play in the Connolly Cup.
"It's obviously a little bit disappointing Armidale won't be in the competition this year, but that's how it goes," Swain said.
"Things are pretty tough at the moment, so I guess it's understandable.
"For us, it means that there are only three games throughout the season and hopefully a grand final.
"With a smaller schedule, we should hopefully be able to get a strong side on the field each time."
This year's Gunnedah side will feature a trio of rising stars: Adam McGuirk, Kaleb McIlveen and Hayden Baker.
All three youngsters will also represent the Central North under-18 side as well as the Northern Inland Bolters.
"Hayden was man of the match in last year's final and should be even better for the experience," Swain said.
"In fact, I think pretty much all of those guys will be better off for the experience of last year.
"Having those young guys and a few of us older blokes, we should have a really balanced team this year."
Swain said a new career opportunity may restrict his ability to play on a regular basis.
"I've just started working with McCulloch Agencies, which is really exciting," he said.
"It's a great opportunity for myself to be involved in something from the ground up.
"In saying that, I should be right to play, but when I'm not, Sam Doubleday is co-captaining with me, so the team is in good hands."
Gunnedah's junior representative sides will also begin their season on Sunday.
The under-12 side will lock horns with Armidale, while the under-16 side will go head to head with Inverell.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
