ILLAWARRA division’s amazing ability to regenerate year after year will again be put to the test when they open their defence of the Country Championship title against Central Coast at Dubbo on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The men in red will be gunning for a fourth straight country crown, and their 10th in the last 12 years, after securing a three-peat of titles under coach Wade Forrester last season.
Nine members of that star-studded side earned Country jumpers at the conclusion of that campaign that ended with a 42-12 thumping of Canberra at Mudgee.
Of that contingent only fullback Wayne Bremner, five-eighth Jarrod Boyle and hooker Joel Johnson will feature again this season but Forrester has delved with confidence into the famously deep Illawarra talent pool.
Captain Steve McCallum and fellow veterans Ty McCarthy, Alipate Noilea, Grant Smith and Matt Handcock will lead the side alongside the likes of newcomers Matt Syron, Andrew Toohey and Michael Bullock.
Forrester is confident it’s a mix that can deliver a fourth straight title.
“We’ve got the same nucleus of core players and the young players we’ve brought in have been the form players of the Illawarra Coal League so it’s just rewards for those guys coming through as well,” Forrester said.
“When you win the comp everyone’s out to beat you the next year and I’ve got no doubt Central Coast will be looking to put one over us.
“They’re a big side and they’ve got good structures in place so it’ll be a fair challenge. We’re under no illusions as to what we’re up against.”