Kootingal Kougars: Chris Jarrett says OVA are the competition benchmark

Looking to build on their seventh-place debut-season finish last year, Jarrett said Kootigal's expectation was to be competitive against every side in 2021 - with the "probable" exception of the reigning premiers.

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"I think OVA will be the challenge for all of us," he said. "They're probably the benchmark this year."

Jarrett said Mushies had "a large and loyal squad" and "played a good style of football".

"For me, they're a standard that we'd like to aspire to," he said. "So I'd like to be adding them to my list next year of teams we're competitive against."

The Kougars commence their 2021 campaign against Moore Creek at Gipps Street on Saturday.

In round three they confront OVA, who last year lured from retirement a host of players from their golden era, once again under the tutelage of returning mentor Tim Coates.

They duly smoked the opposition as they remained undefeated in capturing the grand final in an overtime classic against reigning two-time premiers Tamworth FC.

"I enjoy having the ability to play OVA," Jarrett said, adding that playing against "such a quality opposition you can just learn so much" - and "it's such a great football experience".

He added: "If we want to develop players, we have to play above ourselves ... You only get better by playing higher-quality opponents."

Kooty had "a fairly big growth season" ahead of them, Jarrett said, given that more than half their 2020 squad was gone.

"So, it's a challenge for us," he said. "But I'm looking forward to putting a competitive team on the field on Saturday."

Despite the player exodus, Jarrett believes that the Kougars will improve this year by morphing into "a much more functional unit" due to having a season under their belt.

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