VALLEYS ROOSTERS

LAST YEAR

14-2, minor premiers

THE YEAR AHEAD

IT ALL went to plan for Valleys in 2017 until the finals came around.

Coach Brett Seymour admitted it was a tough way to depart the season, but he hoped his young side could fire.

“We haven’t focused too much on that finish. We have a young side, and obviously the way we went out was not how we predicted or envisaged,” Seymour said.

“We did have lessons to learn and a lot of them easy to tell.

“We were probably close to the best team during year, but it doesn’t matter unless you’re doing it at the end of year.”

Despite last year’s finish, Seymour said the side had come together well to focus on the task at hand.

“We know we can score points, so we want to focus on defence, and having a bit of steel and resolve about us,” he said.

“When things don’t go our way, we need to dig our toes and heels in and weather the storm.

“On paper there are a few clubs that have really added some starch.

“Some experience has been added with some try-scoring ability as well, so we know we’re in for a bit more of a challenge this year.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

“We have a couple of new guys. Jason Sharpe has looked really good as a front rower and middle. Hugh Sedger has been playing a bit of Cup football which is a nice added bonus to us. He’s an ex-junior and looks promising. We need our kids to play well when the pressure is on, and show us we can finish year off if we put everything together,” Seymour said.

VERDICT

Valleys were almost unbeatable in the regular season last year, but weren’t able to put it together when it mattered.

A finish to the season they had can go one of two ways in 2018: it can crush them, or it can make them.

I think they will again be thereabouts, but the retirement of Brett Seymour from the playing ranks hurts them.

PREDICTED FINISH 5th