BATHURST Panthers lock Jake Betts is always keen to play as much footy as he can but the desire is even stronger in 2021.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Betts was one of the lucky few players in Group 10 premier league who got to enjoy footy in a COVID-ravaged 2020 - as part of the Western Rams' President's Cup campaign.
That experience against high quality opponents has left him hungry for this Sunday's Country Championships opening round clash away to Monaro.
"It feels good to be back at training. It's a bit weird having footy back after a while, and it's been a little hard getting back into training, to be honest," he said.
"The best thing was being able to get around the boys again. That's where a lot of blokes get the chance to see each other, otherwise it's usually going to work then heading home, so it's great being able to see everyone.
"I think the first half or first 20 minutes might be rusty but I'm sure it won't take long for the boys to get their mojo back and get stuck into it."
Betts was a part of the Rams' rough President's Cup campaign last year.
The Western men failed to record a win across the high-level competition but the squad will hope that experience can help them lift their game for the Country Championships.
There's been a stack of changes to the Western squad in the month's since that competition.
Betts said the current squad - which includes Panthers teammates Blake Lawson and brother Jed, along with St Pat's centre Jackson Brien - has great combinations.
"I think it's a great team with some pretty good backs. There's an interesting mix in the forwards too," he said.
"There's big blokes and there's also guys who are a bit agile too, so I think it's a good combination."
And the inclusion of Jed Betts on the bench adds another season of representative football together for the Panthers siblings.
"It's awesome getting to play footy alongside mates and it's a bonus to be able to do it alongside your brother as well," Betts said.
"That's something we're both pretty proud of."
It's a tough trip straight off the bat for the Rams in the opening round this weekend.
Betts believes Monaro's connections to a red-hot Canberra Raiders setup means the side commands respect.
"I'm not too sure about them but I know they're going to be a good side, being down near the Raiders area," he said.
"There's definitely going to be blokes filtering through who didn't quite make the Raiders Jersey Flegg side so I'm sure they're going to be quick around the ruck. We'll have to win that battle to give our guys out wider a chance."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.westernadvocate.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News