Dubbo Westside is confident of improving on its disappointing 2016 Group 11 campaign but the men in red and green face a huge test first up against powerhouse rivals CYMS.
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The Rabbitohs have been hard at work under the training paddock with new captain-coach Colt Tairua integrating a number of younger players into the fold while working on eliminating the errors which led the side to finish with the wooden spoon last season.
The season opens with a derby at Caltex Park against the Fishies and Westside star centre CJ Ralph is all too aware the task his side faces.
We’re keen to learn from mistakes we made last season.
- Westside's CJ Ralph
“They’re coming from the grand final team so it’s going to be pretty tough,” he said.
“They finished second last year and we were last so it’s pretty tough but it’s a big test and we’re keen to learn from mistakes we made last season.”
Ralph said his side has enjoyed the time working under Tairua, with the former Group 11 representative set to be the kind of mentor who will lead from the front on game day.
Tairua will line up at lock with club stalwart Robbie Olsen partnered by Peter Miller in the second row while the front row will feature Shane Peckham and Jayden Harvey.
“I personally think we’ll do better this season,” Ralph said.
“We’ve got a few bigger forwards and a few others have come in so we’ll see how we go.
“We’ve been training well and now we’ve just got to put it out on the ground.”
Steve Riley will again be key to the side’s hopes at halfback and he will be partnered by exciting youngster Jaylen Rose at five-eighth.
Nathan Ryan also has a big job at fullback filling the void left by former flying number one Sam Coe.
The action at Caltex Park starts at 11am with the League Tag clash.