RUGBY LEAGUE
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MANILDRA are hoping an influx of youth will help them go one better than 2008 and win the Woodbridge Cup title next season.
The Rhinos lost to Cargo in this year’s decider with an ageing team.
A number of that squad has since retired and Manildra have announced a host of young players have been secured for 2009.
Orange Hawks duo Daniel Roach and Nic Coombes will play for the Rhinos, while Kieran Copeland, Kieran Foley, Michael Newman and experienced Orange CYMS forward Tim Trudgett have also been picked up.
But the biggest signing is that of halfback Troy Sweeting as captain-coach.
Sweeting has returned to Orange after years playing in Sydney and on the Central Coast.
He comes from Central Coast club Kincumber and has also played with Cronulla Sharks feeder club Caringbah.
Sweeting will provide a younger perspective to the top job than retired 2008 captain-coach Peter Townsend - and a youthful outlook is what the club has been seeking.
“We’ve just scored Troy as the coach and a few players as well,” Manildra treasurer Nigel Troth said.
“I think we need a bit of youth. We had a fairly old team (this) year.
“I think out of the squad of 20 we had in the grand final, I think we had nine over 30, so we just need a bit (of youth).”
Manildra will contest Woodbridge Cup for a second year in 2009 but still have the goal of returning to Group 11.
They are hoping their more youthful player base can grow and provide them with enough players to be re-admitted back into Group 11.
