Rookies are ready

Avondale’s Nathan Leather is held up by Colin Moran and Ken Johnson, of South Kolan, in last year’s NDRL preliminary final.

Mike Knott BUNAVO

IT WILL be a historic day at Across The Waves Sports Complex on Saturday when the newly formed Agnes Water club plays its first match, a pre-season trial against a composite Waves Tigers A-grade/league 11s team.

New club coach Mick O'Sullivan said he was pleased with player numbers and their preparation.

"I'm expecting big seasons from the likes of Cory Chapman, Daniel Steemson, Adam Bush and Luke Wendt, who won't play this trial as he only had his first training run this week," O'Sullivan said.

"The Carman boys are all back training but only Tyler will play against Waves because Mel and Sonny are away with work commitments.

"One of our new players also looks the goods, Rudy Valzan. He hasn't played much league before but has taken to it like anything and can kick with both feet. He will play second-row or lock."

Waves are coached by Avondale mentor of the past three seasons Brian Groves, who said he had inherited the majority of last year's side and had added a few new recruits, including high-class halfback Andrew Filo, who has followed him from Tegege.

"A couple of other new players I will rely on include Anthony Broome, who is back at Waves after playing for South Kolan last year, and Marshal Cassidy, who signed last week but will not play yet," Groves said.

"All the McKeown boys are back, Robbie and Brendon, along with Ryan Hunter and Rohan Gibbs, but Dennis Saunders, Brendan Pimm and Daniel Finter have not signed yet. They're the three I'm trying to get back, and I've got high hopes for Mitchell Devitt.

"We've also got a lot of good under-18s coming through who will hopefully really improve our side, such as front-rower Bryce King and Nathan Jones, a young utility, and I've got really high hopes for the likes of Peter McDougall.

"It will be our first and only hit-out before the season and I'll try to give everyone a bit of a run, mainly as a trial in different positions in each 20-minute quarter.

"Our squad is coming together quite good but there are a few positions open and available. Hopefully people will fill them this weekend with what they do.

"Our aim is for the semis this year, but it's a building year and as long as we are competitive, we will be happy."

The Waves versus Marlins game is scheduled to start at 6pm.

It will also be a red-letter day for the Avondale Tigers when they take on another composite Waves team in the first game on the program at 4pm, before they start their 50th anniversary celebrations with a dinner upstairs at the ATW clubhouse.

New Avondale president Gary Leather said the club was looking fantastic and that about 80 people had already booked for the dinner. However, organisers could cater for 100 and anyone who still wanted to attend should phone secretary Rebecca Kampf on 0402 531637 today.

Because the Bundaberg Spirit football teams will be playing on the main ATW fields at the same time, entry and parking for the league trials will be at the western end of league fields.

Admission will be by a gold coin donation.