WATTLES WARRIORS

LAST YEAR 9-7, 4th

THE YEAR AHEAD

THE run of Wattles took its toll in the concluding stages of the competition last year, as the side left everybody in their wake to finish the regular season.

This year they have made a big play, recruiting Travis Burns as a player-coach.

Burns said coming in fresh this season was a good start.

“It’s good to come in without much of an idea. I know they came home with a wet sail after losing a few games early,” Burns said.

“We want to start the year well.”

Burns said he recognised the TRL wasn’t a walk in the park, and knew the importance of coming out of the blocks.

“It’s a tough competition,” he said.

“If you can stay injury free and win early games, you have a good shot to be in finals.

“We have a strong squad, but so do a lot of others.

“If you don’t turn up on the day, you’re going to get beaten.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

“The Duggans (Matt and Ryan) are the normal suspects. Jake Hargreaves is a centre who has had a good pre-season. Will O’Grady played for the Mustangs, and I think he can go to the next level, so hopefully we can develop him and he can move further with his footy,” Burns said.

VERDICT

There’s a lot to like about Wattles heading into 2018.

They have a pack that can work through the middle and lay a platform for the likes of Matt Duggan and Travis Burns to run rampant and set up their speedy outside backs.

It’s important for them to gel as a side early in the season, and if they do, they are going to be awfully hard to beat in the finals.

PREDICTED FINISH 3rd