THE son of a former Magpies legend is set to headline Werris Creek's list of inclusions for the 2020 Group 4 season.
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Dylan Porter, the son of former first-grade coach Richie Porter, is set to make a comeback to the club after a stint with Aberdeen in Group 21.
Magpies captain Cody Tickle said Porter's inclusion was "a massive plus" for the club.
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"The Porter name is really famous around Werris Creek, so to have Dylan back with us is pretty exciting," Tickle told the Leader.
"He's really light on his feet and will offer us a lot of versatility throughout the season.
"I think he has the ability to wear the number nine, three, four or six.
"I'd say it's most likely going to be the number nine, but it just goes to show how talented he is."
Porter's inclusion comes after Callum Hayne, Scott Berry, Zac Leonard, Mick Wright, Sam Lumby and Nathaniel Slater all indicated they would not be returning to the Creek for the 2020 season for a variety of different reasons.
Despite the player turnover, Tickle said he was confident the Magpies could hold their own in first grade this season.
"There have been a number of quality players move on from our club, there's no doubt about that," he said.
"However, we still have a lot of really hard-working footballers, who I'm sure can step up and fill the void for us.
"We also still have a lot of players such as Dwight Millgate, Isaah Millgate and Harlee Millgate, who just make things happen on the field.
"Those guys are really classy players and really help make things happen for us, so if we can focus on ensuring we are still in games right at the end, I'm sure we will have a competitive season."
As well as captaining the first-grade side on the field this season, Tickle will also play a vital role off it as the coach of the club's newly-formed under-18 side.
"We hosted a couple of sign-on days a few weekends ago and the response has been really good," he said.
"I think we are now really confident that with the numbers we have, we will be able to field a really competitive team.
"It was always the club's grand plan to have an under-18, reserve grade, league tag and first-grade team, and it is really exciting to see it take shape this year."
The Magpies will now shift their attentions to the Jack Woolaston nines competition on March 21, before a trial match against Muswellbrook on March 28.
"I'm confident we can do quite well at the nines if we can pick up the pace of the game quickly," Tickle said.
"Either way, it should be a lot of fun."
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.
