Nyngan’s Harry Blake impressed at the weekend as the Western Rams under 18s faced their first challenge of 2018.
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With names like Hopoate and Trbojevic in the opposition line-up, Saturday’s hit out was always going to be a tough one.
Throw in the fact the mercury nudged 40 degrees and the start of the 2018 season was certainly a battle against the Manly Sea Eagles’ junior sides at Bathurst’s Ann Ashwood Park.
But Rams under 18s coach Paul McDonald said that’s exactly the point.
With the goal of taking Western to back-to-back country championship under 18s titles, a goal shared by under 16s mentor Kurt Hancock and his squad preparing to defend its title, McDonald believes making life tough for the Rams players now will help bring out the best in them come round one of the championship in late February.
Manly won both games handsomely, but the score was secondary, according to McDonald.
“We’re not worried about the score, it was a hot day against a big team, for a first hit-out there was a lot of positives,” he said.
“It’s important to see where we need improvement, and we got that on Saturday.
“I was impressed with the fact the boys never gave up. Each 20 minute quarter they fought to the end.”
Hancock’s under 16s boys took on Manly’s Harold Matthews squad, while the Rams under 18s faced a supercharged Sea Eagles line-up including Ben Trbojevic – the brother of Australian players Jake and Tom.
Albert Hopoate, the son of ex-Manly winger John and brother of Bulldogs star Will, was also in Bathurst for the trials.
The duo was just two players among a host of promising talent based on the northern beaches and McDonald said the tough nature of the trial will benefit his new-look side in the long run.
Only one player from last year’s under 18s title win is set to return – Wellington three-quarter Brock Naden.
“At the moment we were looking to try and develop a game plan and continuity. We had 28 players on the weekend, so that’s hard to get,” he added.
“As we trim the squad we’ll get that (continuity) though. We’ve got two more trials before we head into camp before round one.”
“At the moment we’re still looking at 50 per cent of the side being bottom age. Some of our older players showed a little bit of experience will be important.
McDonald was impressed with David White, Brad Fearnley and halves Josh Board and Harry Blake, while fullback Banji Glasheen is showing he’ll make the step up from under 16s with ease.
But the new Rams head coach, taking over from Cameron Greenhalgh this year, said young lock Nathan Swain was particularly strong in the middle of the field.
“Nathan played well above his weight. He put in a big man performance,” McDonald said.
Western’s under 18s and under 16s train at Manildra this weekend before again trialing the week after, against Riverina and Monaro at Young.
Western’s squads will be trimmed down to 18 before the start of the country championships at Mudgee on February 24.