Teams ready for battle
THE Northern Star's Rugby League reporter Mitchell Craig takes a look at the coaches, losses and gains at clubs in the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League competition for 2012.
BALLINA SEAGULLS
Gains
Andrew Battese (Gold Coast Breakers rugby), Greg Ryan, Simon Perkins, Dean French (year off), Nikko Roberts (Newcastle), Ben Robinson (Ballina rugby).
Losses
Don Dickson (Brisbane), Joel Roberts (Northern United).
Coaching
Greg Barnes takes the reins after working as an assistant coach last season.
Prediction
"We've got a couple of blokes back that played in the 2010 grand final," Barnes said.
"We have a new board and committee and I think we're heading in the right direction
"I think we have a good mix of youth and experience to improve on a disappointing season last year."
BYRON BAY RED DEVILS
Gains
Simon Kelly (year off), Clarence Kelly (Evans Head), Jared Dethierri (Tweed Seagulls), Ryan O'Connell (Murwillumbah).
Coaching
Eli Colby and Tobin Cupples will share the responsibilities after both players suffered broken ankles last season.
Prediction
The Red Devils return to first grade after only fielding reserve grade and under-18 sides last season.
"We won the grand final in 2008 and we've always had a winning culture at the club," president Damon McCarthy said.
"We're confident of fielding all three grades and excited to be back in the top grade."
CASINO COUGARS
Gains
Luke Scott, Scott Gibson, Shaun Locke (year off), George Clarke (Leeds Rhinos).
Losses
Bryce Hosie (returning home to New Zealand), Jacob Ngauamo (Northern United).
Coaching
Troy Johnstone will be at the helm again after his first season coaching at senior level last season.
Prediction
"Damien Benn, James Hammond and Todd Johnson have had a couple of year's experience in first-grade now and we expect big things from them," club stalwart Brad Birney said.
"We're also relying on a number of under-18s coming through with twins Sam and Jacob Lyons, Kurt Rutley, Brendan Macquire, Wayne Freeburn, Luke Watego and Mitch Cooke."
EVANS HEAD BOMBERS
Gains
Braydon Vickery (Tinga).
Losses
Drew Tebbutt, Brad Fletcher (Brisbane) Clarence Kelly (Byron Bay), Trevor Bolt, Paletasiala Ale (Sydney).
Coaching
Mick Davis and captain Tim Tregidgo will share the coaching responsibilities again after taking the Bombers to their first finals appearance last season.
Prediction
"We have a young side and hope guys like Aaron Scells and Eli Cook can fill the void," club manager Brad Mayes said.
"We had signed Don Dickson from Ballina but he appears set to move to Brisbane for work."
GRAFTON GHOSTS
Gains
Joel Moss (Lower Clarence), Tim Tilse, Dave Emmett, Liam Bland, Nat Sewell (year off).
Losses
Adam Elliot (year off).
Coaching
Multiple premiership-winning halfback Ryan Farrell takes over from Col Speed who has taken an assistant coaching job with the Mackay Cutters in the Queensland Cup.
Prediction
Speed led the team to back-to back premierships last season with the Ghosts' heavy favourites to take out the grand final for the third consecutive year in 2012.
"I have big shoes to fill and it should be an exciting year for the club," Farrell said.
"We have about five or six under-18s coming through and that will only add to our depth."
KYOGLE TURKEYS
Gains
None
Losses
Alex Farrell, Josh Foley (Cairns), Garry Roberts, Johnny Walker (Northern United).
Coaching
Cameron Mulchay returns to the club he last played for as an 18-year-old after stints at the Ipswich Jets in the Queensland Cup and the Warwick Cowboys.
Prediction
"We want to win enough games to sneak into the finals after just missing out last season," assistant coach Mark Doolan said.
"You need to win games early in the season otherwise it will come back to haunt you."
LOWER CLARENCE MAGPIES
Gains
Grant Brown, Jerry Byers (Northern United).
Losses
Joel Moss (Ghosts), Xavier Sullivan (retired), Todd Cameron (Bellingen), Tom Martin (Mackay), Dan Randall (Rockhampton).
Coaching
Grant Brown returns to the club that he kicked the winning field goal for and won a first grade grand final with in 2009.
He takes over from coaches Ricky Binge and Dallas Waters.
Prediction
"We didn't get things right last season and Grant seems to have them motivated," club president Donald Johnson said.
"We're still rebuilding after being left in debt at the end of the 2009 season and we'll rely heavily on our juniors."
MARIST BROTHERS RAMS
Gains
Niko Vakararawa (two years off), Michael Assim (former Rams junior and front-rower from Coogee).
Losses
Luke Baker (Penrith Panthers), Blake Carter (Canterbury Bulldogs), Will Bugden (Parramatta Eels Toyota Cup).
Coaching
Premiership-winning hooker Adam Mayes returns to the club after three years as an assistant at Evans Head.
Prediction
"It's the club's 100th year and we're keen for some success," Mayes said.
"The boys lost some close games last year and were unlucky not to make the semi-finals.
"We want to have a good start and build towards our big anniversary game against Ballina on the June long weekend."
MULLUMBIMBY GIANTS
Gains
None.
Losses
Matt Mulchay (Wests Tigers), Bill Pyke (Sydney).
Coaching
The Giants will have former Australian and Manly fullback Graham Eadie take over from Damon Scott.
Prediction
"We don't pay players and rely on our junior talent coming through," club president Ken Barnham said.
"We'll start the season strong like last year and just hope that injuries don't derail us again.
"Our supporter base is a big asset and Eden Syme will be one to watch from our under-18s."
MURWILLUMBAH MUSTANGS
Gains
Tim James (Bilambil Jets), Steve Kirkham (Cudgen).
Losses
Ryan O'Connell (Byron Bay), Corey Maher, Steve Parsons (retirement).
Coaching
Troy McLean is at the helm again with star players Luke Covell and Damian Quinn back on deck.
Prediction
"We have a big pack again and we're probably a bit light on out wide," club president Nigel Lofts said.
"If we can sign another quality centre we'll be happy but Grafton Ghosts will be the team to beat."
NORTHERN UNITED DIRAWONGS
Gains
Jake Ngauamo (Casino) Jake Walker (Marist Brothers), Joel Roberts (Ballina), Garry Roberts, Johnny Walker, Jeremy Collins (Kyogle), Wilo James, Steve Kelly (Evans Head), Tennyson Strong (Armidale), Dwayne Duke (Grafton Rugby), Tim Green (Tweed Seagulls), Leonard Hickling (year off).
Losses
Brenton Cochrane (Wee Waa), Fred Waters (Lake Macquarie), Grant Brown, Jerry Byers (Lower Clarence), Chris Cubby (Newcastle).
Coaching
Roy Bell and Willie Hammond will share the captain-coaching responsibilities with Chris Binge to remain on as club manager.
Prediction
"We've had 55 players at training and our goal is to make the grand final after falling one try short in the last two seasons," club secretary Grantley Creighton said.
"We're the only team in the competition to finish in the top three for the past three seasons.
"We've added a bit of size to the forward pack and if we can cut a few errors out, we'll be hard to beat."
