ROOSTERS AIM TO PUT 2018 BEHIND THEM
SCORE just one win and the Burdekin Roosters will better their 2018 season.
The Roosters start their Townsville District Rugby League rebuild today against the Charters Towers Miners at Ayr Rugby Park, and have the Queensland Cup muscle of Daniel Beasley at their disposal after the Townsville Blackhawks forward recovered from an ankle injury.
Beasley is a foundation Blackhawks player and former Cowboys under-20s captain, and is working his way back towards earning a spot in the heavily stacked Blackhawks front row.
The Roosters went winless last season and finished at the bottom of the A grade ladder, a far cry from their dominant 2015 season that ended with a last-minute grand final victory.
“The boys have a lot to play for and they’re itching to get out there,” Roosters coach Chris Perry said.
“It’s a new year and we just want to get that first win and it goes without saying we want to get it this weekend.
“We’re a little bit light on and we’re still waiting on a few guys to come back, but we have some boys coming back from a break and it’s great to have them here.
“Zac Herron is back from a break and he’s ready to get back out there, and Blake Hollywood is another one of our front rowers who is eager to get a game after being away for a year.
“The boys had a great run last night and we’re confident.”
But the biggest addition for the Roosters is without doubt Beasley, who Perry said would add extra punch to a middle rotation featuring Hollywood, Ryan Davenport and Mitchell Guy.
The Roosters host a Miners team that beat Norths 30-28 at Bushland Beach last weekend.
Norths and Centrals will be playing for their first win of the season when they clash at Peggy Banfield Park.
Herbert River were due to host Western Lions in Ingham, but were forced to cancel all senior games because of wet weather.
The games will now played on July 2. be