"Watch this space."
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That was Bears mentor Brad "Spitter" McManus's response to anyone who believes his side are vulnerable after suffering a major experienced player drain.
The reigning six-time premiers play away to Dungowan in a season opener on Sunday - minus a host of players who were integral to their dynastic reign.
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Kieran Fisher, Shane Wadwell, Richard Clegg, Chris Hunt, Nic Dobson and Chris Hunt all departed after the Bears' grand final defeat of Kootingal-Moonbi in 2019.
That was the last Group 4 game: the 2020 season was cancelled due to the pandemic.
When asked what he had done to try and plug the player drain, McManus said: "Just brought the young fellas through."
The young brigade include Dan Kelly and Liam Ball, who will start on the bench on Sunday.
They also include NSW Country under-18 prop Mark Simon, who will miss the opening two rounds.
McManus said Simon - who starred for the Greater Northern Tigers this year - would be "thereabouts" when available for selection.
They've been working hard. So, hopefully, it all comes to fruition on the weekend.
- Brad McManus
Norths' starting props against the Cowboys are the experienced Tom Woolaston, who played first grade in Brisbane, and Ben Jarvis.
Woolaston's return to the club, Simon's pending first-grade promotion, the addition of three Fijians and Josh Schmiedel's last-minute decision to play this year are all major pluses. Schmiedel will play lock on Sunday.
"He [Schmiedel] was up in air, he didn't know what he was doing, where he was going," McManus said.
"After I called him into that rep side [Greater Northern], I don't know if he got itchy feet or not. I sat down and had a yarn with him, and he ended up signing on the dotted line."
McManus was "looking forward" to Woolaston having "a big year".
"They've been working hard," he said of his troops. "So, hopefully, it all comes to fruition on the weekend."
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