There isn’t much more of a difficult job than coaching the Central West colts side.
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Dean Matthews and his Dubbo-based coaching staff took the job on this year and have faced the same challenges which every coach of the representative under-19s side has had to deal with.
Keeping kids keen when they’re at an age where so much more is on offer, gathering them together for regular training sessions when the side covers such a large area and then having numbers at training with a number of the players working or still attending school or university. That’s what the coaches have had to overcome.
But after months of preparation the side will come together this weekend to take on the Central Coast in the opening round of the Country Championships at Port Macquarie.
“From that first training session they’ve come on in leaps and bounds,” Matthews said.
“They’ve been playing some club footy too and picked up some fitness, which has been good, so hopefully it can all come together on Saturday.
They’re coming up against some pretty slick competition in the Central Coast but they won’t take a backward step and I’m looking forward to it.”
While the forward pack shapes as a strong one the backline will be the young side’s key area.
Flyhalf Isaiah Ackroyd is back from injury and he will look to create space for the likes of winger Dylan Gredka.
“He’s a flyer so if we can get him some ball in space he could really burn a few,” Matthews said of Gredka.
Matthews also spoke highly of fellow Bathurst young gun Felix Quinn, who has been tasked with captaining the side.
“He’s just turned 18 but he’ll certainly give it his best,” he said.
“He goes really hard and is a tough young fella so he’ll lead the boys and hopefully they go alright.”
If the Baby Bulls are to win on Saturday they will back up on Sunday for the second round clash.
Matthews added a positive result on Saturday would make all the hard work done by his offsiders Mark Stanford, Rob Bond and Jason Coyle worth it.
COLTS: Felix Quinn © Clayton Anastasia, Matthew Hobbs, Corey Faucet, Simon Bayley, Angus O’Conner, Jeremey Ennis, Michael Latu, Dylan Gredka, Thomas Rowland, Campbell Morris, Fletcher Begley, Marshall Fox, Michael Bartimote, Josh Jazprizza, Billy Farriga, Viaan Osten, Aidan Baker, Isaiah Ackroyd, Sam Greatbatch, Kyle Gibson, Josh Swain, Kennan Davis, Bobby Watitty, Mark Hubbard
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
