ST PAT’S captain-coach Wade Judd believes his team is poised to return to the upper reaches of the Group 10 premier league competition in 2011 after revealing the acquisition of three key players for the coming season.
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With only prop Brad Toole likely to be missing from their squad carrying over from last year, the Saints have continued their association with the Group 11 Forbes Magpies with prop Zac Merritt and half Steve Morris joining the blue and whites for the coming year.
In addition they will also field former Penrith Panthers-signed fullback Mitchell Smith and Lithgow product Sam Hadden, another front-rower.
The front-row in particular looks chock-full of options with Judd, Steve Lake and Rafe Garnon all boasting plenty of experience and quality in the position.
Morris gives Judd another playmaking choice with the likes of Brendan Collitts, Chris Osborne and Joey Coughlan all capable of filling the position.
To round out their list of signings, they have picked up young dummy-half Sam Mooney from Blayney who will provide valuable back-up to Trent Hemsworth.
“The only loss I think we’ve got is Brad Toole who is going to be overseas. He is a quality player and will be a big loss but I’m really impressed with the guys we’ve got onboard this season,” Judd said.
“It will be fantastic to have that sort of depth, we were competitive in every game we played last season but at times lacked that killer blow and sometimes injuries stretched us a little bit so having these guys in the side should hopefully take care of that.”
Pat’s were right in the mix for the majority of last season before dropping their last six matches and crashing out of the finals in straight sets.
It was the Cowra Magpies who ended their campaign, and they get an immediate chance for revenge as they host the Magpies in round one on May 18 at Jack Arrow Oval.
“That’s a good start for us, Cowra knocked us off last year but to be honest we thought we were a slightly better side than them and we’d love to get a win back in the first round. They won’t be as strong without Joe Williams but they do still have some good young players,” Judd said.
After Panthers produced their only victory of the season in the second local derby of 2010, Judd is keen to get on the paddock on June 19 at Carrington Park.
“They [Panthers] are still talking about it but they had a pretty early end to the season,” he said.
“We really want to get out there and have another crack at them and get the bikkies this time. We will be wary of them with ‘Bubba’ Kennedy and Steve Lane in their side. Bubba just gets better with age, we don’t want to let the cross-town boys get another one over us.”
Following their season-opener against Magpies, Pat’s get an immediate rest with the round two bye before hosting Orange Hawks in round three in what will provide a good test for both teams’ credentials.
They renew their rivalry with Mudgee in round four in Mudgee and get the ultimate test against premiers CYMS here in Bathurst in round seven.
