Central North Rugby: Narrabri shaping up nicely for 2021 season

Former Blue Boars junior Will McDonnell has returned home and will be a big addition, co-coach Hunter Harley said.

"He's an out and out footballer," he said.

He recalled coaching him a few games when he was home for holidays while he was at school, and watched with interest as he went on to star for Sydney Uni, make his Waratahs debut on their mid-season tour of Japan in 2018 and play for the Country Eagles.

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The younger brother of breakaway Matt, he will add some star power to the Blue Boars backline, Harley quipping that it feels a bit like dejavu to when he first took on the Blue Boars job and Schwager had just returned home.

The former Australian schoolboy went on to lead them to back-to-back premierships and was a central figure in their success.

In recent seasons the half-back hasn't been able to commit to a full season, but in a big boon for the Blue Boars is back on deck.

Henri Knight is another handy returning inclusion. The utility back has only played probably a handful of games since their 2015 triumph but has been one of the most impressive during the pre-season.

"He's been getting around with a big smile on his face and his enthusiasm has been infectious," Harley said.

He and coaching partner Todd Farrer are "very happy" with how they are shaping up, although he said they have still "got a lot to work on".

They warmed up for the season with a 22-nil win over St Alberts on Saturday to regain the Southwell-Hannaford Shield.

The memorial clash is played in memory of former Blue Boar Brad Hannaford and his girlfriend Felicity Southwell, who were tragically killed in a car accident back in 2006, but hadn't been contested since 2017 with the students taking the honours on that occasion.

Harley and Farrer were both away for the game but the reports that filtered back to them were that their defence and attitude particularly was outstanding. The latter is one of the things that has most impressed Harley through what has been a pretty long pre-season.

"The players are going to apply themselves, they've shown that this pre-season," he said.

From what he has seen, there is also a really good culture building.

"We've got a really good team and we'll play as a team I feel," he said.

Looking to build on what they did in 2019, one of the big emphasis this season will be on how they recycle the ball and doing the little things right. Particularly during the finals they were probably a bit guilty of not playing smart enough.

"We definitely have the right ability we just have to hone it," Harley said.

They have Quirindi first-up.

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