His team is going through a transitional phase but Warilla coach Peter Hooper refuses to use the ‘R’ word to describe the Gorillas’ immediate outlook.
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‘‘I wouldn’t say we’re rebuilding,’’ Hooper said.
‘‘It’s more about younger blokes getting a go.’’
The Gorillas contested their second straight grand final last year and finished on the wrong side of the scoreboard again.
Six players left the club in the off-season and Hooper realises there will be an adjustment period before his side is running on all cylinders.
But he insists he isn’t starting from scratch.
‘‘We set high standards at the club and rebuilding is not part of our domain,’’ he said.
‘‘Obviously with the large turnover of players we’ve had, we have to go back to the original plot and develop as a team, and we haven’t got the depth we’ve enjoyed over the last five or six years. But there’s still some quality blokes in second grade and we’ve still got a good nucleus there.’’
Thumped 38-10 by Shellharbour in the opening round, Warilla responded with last week’s 22-12 home win over Kiama.
Hooper knows he will get a much clearer understanding of his team’s potential when they host unbeaten Gerringong on Sunday.
‘‘I watched Gerringong play against Nowra-Bomaderry last week and they’re going to ask some questions defensively,’’ he said.
‘‘They move the ball well and if you’re not on your game they’re going to find a hole somewhere. If you think you’re going to shut down one area they’ve got another area to go at you.
‘‘Discipline let us down in the first half in the first week against Shellharbour. We got better in the second half and we’ve improved every half, so we’re probably micro-managing at the moment.
‘‘There’s a renewed attitude and freshness that you get with an influx of youth and hopefully we’ll grow as a team and be where we need to be at the back end of the season.’’
Reigning premiers Nowra-Bomaderry are chasing their first win in their home meeting with Port Kembla.
Shellharbour and Milton-Ulladulla are each seeking third straight wins on Saturday at Ron Costello Oval. Milton have accounted for Nowra-Bomaderry and Port Kembla, while the Sharks racked up 96 points in defeats of Warilla and Albion Park-Oak Flats. Jamberoo take on Albion Park-Oak Flats in a Saturday evening battle at Centenary Field.
The game between Berry and Kiama on Sunday at Berry Showground has been postponed after the ground was badly affected by this week’s torrential rain.