New Blayney captain-coach Tim Mortimer believes the Bears are capable of punching above their weight throughout the 2018 Group 10 season.
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The Bears battled in 2017, securing just the one premiership point via a 36-all draw with Orange Hawks.
On top of that, players regularly ran out for two games every weekend as the club endeavoured to fulfill its senior obligations and play first division and premier league.
Mortimer has joined the club after winning the Group 10 premiership with Orange CYMS last season and will be joined by Brady Cheshire (Bathurst St Pat’s) and Keegan Harding (Orange City Lions, rugby union) as some of the new faces in maroon and white for next season.
Mortimer is confident the club can enjoy a better campaign in 2018 if the Bears’ depth improves.
“There’s no secret they didn’t win games last year because there was a number of boys playing reserves before first grade,” he said.
“A bit more depth would be great for the club’s success in the future.
“I’d urge anyone who wants a bit of a fresh start to pop in. Being a new coach at a new club, all positions are open.”
That depth improves with the additions of players in key positions, like Cheshire (prop) and Harding (halves), while Deryne McKenzie is on the cusp of re-joining the Bears as well.
“I had a bit of chat to (Brady), he’s got a bit of family in Blayney and wants to try something new. We’re very welcoming of that,” Mortimer added.
Mortimer enjoyed his first official outing as the club’s new coach on Friday night with an informal meet and greet in Blayney.
He said the club was in good shape, with a host of the Bears’ juniors to continue on at the King George Oval in 2018.
Last year’s mentor, Will Ingram won’t be back at Blayney next season, however, and Josh Rainbow has also moved on.
Both are expected to return to Cowra in 2018, a club the Ingram and Rainbow last represented in 2014 and 2013 resepctively.
“They’ve both been great players for Blayney over the last few years. I knew it’d be hard for Will to stay, I totally understand why he left, and Josh is a great mate of Will’s too,” Mortimer said.
“We’ll do the best with what we’ve got. I think they were good last year, it was just a shame they didn’t win a game because if they did I think they would have gone on to win more.”
The Bears kick-off training on Monday, January 15 at King George Oval.