Coming off a shortened 2021 season as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown, Group Seven Rugby League is ready to kick off for the 2022 season bigger and better than ever.
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Round one this weekend will see a return to normality for all 10 clubs, with the Berry-Shoalhaven Heads Magpies will make their anticipated return to Group Seven.
Here's a quick look at 2022.
Albion Park - Oak Flats Eagles
2021 Position at Season Cancellation: Third Place (6 Wins, 5 Draws, 2 Losses)
Coach: Jay Efaraimo
The tide began to turn for the Eagles last season with one of the most promising squads in recent memory.
Head coach Jay Efaraimo said the club's expectations are high despite the loss of six different players from the previous year. The Eagles have promoted a number of juniors while also picking up some other handy signings. One of the biggest losses was playmaker Sam Clune to Newcastle. Other losses include Paul Roberts, Rodney Coates, Blake Jones, Ryan Jones and Josh Sainsbury.
However, Efaraimo feels the young players coming through are really going to make a difference. They have managed to hold onto a strong core of senior players, with Jack Walsh stated as someone to watch out for, along with Donte Efaraimo, Jarryd King, Brent Wake, Dallas and Chad Harrison.
Berry-Shoalhaven Heads
2021 Position at Season Cancellation: *Did not field a team
Coach: Mitch Allgood
Last year was only the fourth season in the Magpies 109-year history that they did not field a team. However, in 2022 the club will return to Group Seven first grade.
Club president Joe Rogers said no matter what happened they were determined to get back to first grade this season.
"Last year we had to bite the bullet, it just wasn't right for us to put some of the boys we had straight into first grade. We thought it was best to consolidate and come back again this year," he said.
With ex-NRL player Mitch Allgood as coach, the team is set to have an experienced voice and guide on the sidelines. Allgood is excited and has been impressed with the squad so far.
"We've got a lot of young boys who have played a ton of footy together, and I think they're at the stage now where they're ready to step up and take on a leadership role," he said.
Gerringong Lions
2021 Position at Season Cancellation: Second Place (7 Wins, 4 Draws, 1 Loss)
Coach: Scott Stewart
Last year was no different for Gerringong as they continued their run of success, with a second place finish in the shortened season. Heading into 2022 the Lions are again looking to be a force to be reckoned with, and second year head coach Scott Stewart is confident about the team's chances.
"You obviously never know what it's going to be like until round one, but it's a good group and I'm liking what I'm seeing," Stewart said.
Stewart highlighted the strongest aspect of the Lions being their experience and balance as a unit, citing depth at every position. A huge addition is forward Corey Grigg, from Jamberoo.
Jamberoo Superoos
2021 Position at Season Cancellation: First Place (7 Wins, 5 Draws, 0 Losses)
Coach: Jono Dallas
Everything seemed to be going right for the Superoos when lockdown forced the end of the 2021 season. Through seven fixtures, they didn't lose a game, and looked poised to be making a strong run at the Artie Smith Trophy.
Heading into the 2022 season the team remains hungrier than ever, to take back what could have been their premiership win last season.
Head coach Jono Dallas said they have been lucky to retain the majority of the squad and are strong across the majority of key positions, with now four Asquith brothers to play major roles with half Mark, middle forward Luke, hooker Jimmy and newly signed fullback Paul who returns from overseas. The squad has lost Corey Grigg to Gerringong and Jayden Morgan to North Queensland.
Kiama Knights
2021 Position at Season Cancellation: Fifth Place (5 Wins, 4 Draws, 4 Losses)
Coach: Marc Laird
Last season was a mixed bag for the Knights with highs and lows. The team sat square in the middle of the pack but was unable to find consistency. Heading into his second season as coach Marc Laird is hoping to continue to build on the team from the last year.
"Last year we gave the young guys a crack at first grade and they did really well and now having that year under their belt, I think that'll hold us in good sted," Laird said.
The Knights have added 2019 premiership players Tom Thistlewaite, Tom Angel and Tyler Clarke.
Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs
2021 Position at Season Cancellation: Ninth Place (0 Wins, 3 Draws, 9 Losses)
Coach: Mason Harrison
Coming off a winless season, there were more positive signs than one might initially think with the Bulldogs.
Mason Harrison has been appointed as head coach, and he wants to re-establish the team's culture.
"I was intrigued by the young group really, they have a really good core group and I'm excited to work with them."
There were a number of stand-outs last year including five-eighth Travis Wooden, prop Lleyton Roach and hooker Lachlan Self. The team's biggest need was experienced veteran players and depth, something they addressed, signing Treymayne Chatfield from Batemans Bay, PJ Thornton from Mittagong and Nathan Deaves from the Jets.
Nowra-Bomaderry Jets
2021 Position at Season Cancellation: Sixth Place (2 Wins, 5 Draws, 5 Losses)
Coach: Ben Wellington
Last year the Jets, as admitted by head coach Ben Wellington, entered a "rebuilding" phase off the back of losing a significant portion of the their team in 2020. The team lost 10 players heading into 2021, so it was always going to be a tricky time for the squad as they adjusted.
The main key the Jets needed to address heading into this season was to retain their players, and continue to develop the talented young players already in the team as well as the young guns coming through the 18s.
The team secured the massive signing of Shoalhaven bred, talented fullback Adam Quinlan who will pack a massive punch for the Jets with this experience, speed and skill.
Shellharbour Sharks
2021 Position at Season Cancellation: Seventh Place (2 Wins, 6 Draws, 5 Losses)
Coach: Abed Atallah
2021 wasn't the season the Sharks had envisioned. They were never dealt a fair deck of cards as the injury bug took a firm hold, with coach Abed Atallah saying at one point nine first grade players were out.
"In those type of situations there's not a lot you can do, you kind of just have to roll with the deck of cards you've been given," he said.
Atallah said defensive and mental lapses costs the Sharks. Offseason acquisitions include wide-running backrower Hudson Spicer and fullback Matt Nicholson.
Stingrays of Shellharbour
2021 Position at Season Cancellation: Eighth Place (2 Wins, 5 Draws, 6 Losses)
Coach: Brad Reh
The Stingrays underperformed last season. Off the back of a massive 2021 off season the team looked poised to make a finals run, but it was not to be, limping to an eighth place finish.
However, it is still a far cry from where the franchise was before the Reh brothers took over. The club had only managed two wins in their first three seasons.
The team enters 2022 looking similar, and has signed George Campbell from Albion Park, Jake Horton, Matt Delbanco and former Gorillas player Jake Brisbane, increasing depth and experience on the roster.
Warilla-Lake South Gorillas
2021 Position at Season Cancellation: Fourth Place (5 Wins, 3 Draws, 4 Losses)
Coach: Troy Grant
Gorillas coach Troy Grant believes the team was truly building towards something special again when COVID-19 shut down the season.
"I loved our group last year and I believe we were building towards a really strong end to the season," he said.
"We've been able to keep the majority of our squad from the last two seasons which has been great for continuity."
He said the signing of half Beau Henry will help the team.
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Sam Baker
Sam Baker is Journalist with the South Coast Register on the South Coast of NSW. He also contributes work to The Batemans Bay Post, Milton Ulladulla Times, Southern Highlands News and Illawarra Mercury. Email: sam.baker@austcommunitymedia.com.au Phone: 0472 904 583
Sam Baker is Journalist with the South Coast Register on the South Coast of NSW. He also contributes work to The Batemans Bay Post, Milton Ulladulla Times, Southern Highlands News and Illawarra Mercury. Email: sam.baker@austcommunitymedia.com.au Phone: 0472 904 583
