PLAYERS in this year’s Rosewood Roosters C-Grade squad are so committed they want to continue training over the Easter break.
That is exactly what first-time coach Scott McTaggart appreciates as his team prepares for their opening match of the new rugby league season against Swifts on April 16.
“The boys are really keen,” McTaggart said.
“We’ve had days where it’s poured down rain and they still wanted to train so we’re not really looking to get out of training [around Easter].”
The players have been working hard at their Anzac Park base.
“I’m always getting a consistent good number – 18-20 players – pretty much the same faces which is a positive,” McTaggart said.
“It makes it easier to figure out combinations and things like that.”
The Roosters had recent trials against home side Beachmere and hosting Toowoomba opponents Newtown.
The coach was keen to improve his team’s defence after losing to Beachmere.
The Roosters rebounded to hold out Newtown in a scrappy effort.
McTaggart welcomed an expanded 10-team Rugby League Ipswich C-Grade (Volunteers Cup) competition this season.
“It’s great. We’ll get to play nine different teams instead of just having a smaller comp so that’s good for the boys,” he said.
“It is good to see some country teams.”
Joining the Roosters in C Grade are Springfield, Laidley, Brisbane Valley, Swifts, Norths, West End, Brothers, Redbank and Fassifern.
McTaggart has named halfback Ned David the team’s captain, keen to see him become the Roosters’ on-field communicator.
“It’s the first year that I’ve been involved with him and from pretty much the first training he came to us, he wasn’t afraid to speak his voice,” McTaggart said.
“He does have a good voice on him.
“Being a half as well, he’ll be in the centre of the field and see what’s going on.”
Former five-eight/halfback McTaggart said the Roosters would have a strong leadership group this season to support David.
“There’s a lot of boys that have been at the club for a while that are definitely captain material but I just decided to go with Ned,” he said.
Another player to impress early was second rower Adam Colborne who last played rugby league as a junior.
“Just by the way he plays, you wouldn’t guess that,” McTaggart said.
“He defends well. He runs hard and he’s always willing to learn and ask questions.
“We definitely have a couple of boys that haven’t played much footy in the last few years or maybe no senior footy at all.
“It’s good to see them improving through the pre-season and hopefully improve throughout the year.”
McTaggart moved to Rosewood in 2009, playing C Grade and Reserve Grade for the club before taking on the coaching role this season.
Having previously guided junior sides, he is settling well into his new role.
“It’s a bit different coaching men to kids,” he said.
“We’ve got a Messenger group that we are all involved in and there’s a lot of chat through that whereas with kids you just turn up and coach and you won’t see them until either next training or the game.
“I’m enjoying it and just looking forward to see how the team builds over the year.”
The Roosters C-Grade side qualified for last year’s RLI semi-final from fourth place before losing 30-12 to Redbank Plains.
