Oberon will continue its push to end a decades-long Group 10 premier league title drought in 2017, this time former NRL playmaker Luke Branighan will be at the helm though.
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After four seasons as mentor with the Young Cherrypickers – where he played with Orange CYMS fullback Ben McAlpine – and guiding the Queanbeyan Blues this year, Branighan decided it was time for another challenge.
He signed a two-year deal with the Tigers.
“We had the feelers out looking for a few players and he took the bait we put out for him,” Oberon president Ian Christie-Johnston said.
“After a couple of meetings with him we came to an agreement, we wanted him and he was interested in coming here. He comes with some pretty good credentials.
“He’s got quite a bit of experience in the NRL and CRL under his belt.”
As well as proving himself as a coach, as a player Branighan brings a load of experience to Oberon.
He made 15 appearances for St George-Illawarra and one for Cronulla, then went on to play in England for Gateshead Thunder – where he also played with McAlpine – and Halifax.
There is also the chance Branighan could bring more talent to the Tigers with him as he tries to end a long standing Group top-grade premiership drought.
“They haven’t won a comp for 45 years, but there is some great young talent there and a fantastic supporter base. I’m really looking forward to the challenge,” Branighan told the Sunday Telegraph.
“I’m looking to bring a few players in that I’m currently talking to that will compliment the young guys and I’m confident we’ll go really well.”
It was the emerging talents at Oberon which played a major role in attracting Branighan to the Tigers.
He is keen to further their progress in premier league and build on the work started by former captain-coach Zac Rowlandson.
“The young guys – that was one of the major draw cards for him,” Christie-Johnston said.
“A couple of our younger players will come up from under 18s next year and have really come on well in the last 12 months. Luke said he could see quite a lot of promise there.
“Zac is still going to be around helping next year. He said he is not going to play, but I know Zac, I can’t see him hanging his boots up for good.”
