It's almost time. Time for season 2019.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
We know you've kept up-to-date with the comings and goings of your club, but what about everyone else in the Group 3 competition.
Our three sports reporters - Paul Jobber (Port News), Mick McDonald (Manning River Times and Great Lakes Advocate) and Callum McGregor (Macleay Argus) have done the hard yards, and have checked out the comings, the goings and the hopes and dreams right here.
FORSTER-TUNCURRY HAWKS
Prop Matt Kirkland, a former Country representative, Kirkland is on the comeback trail this season. He captain-coached the Hawks in 2017 in what was a difficult campaign, with the side finishing last.
"I needed a break after that - it was more of a mental thing than physical'' he explained.
"But I started to get itchy feet and I love the game. So I thought, why not have a run?''
Coach Phil Adamson had a quick look at a handful of the important questions his team will need to answer.
What do you think your team's strength will be this year?
Our forwards, we have experienced blokes coming back like Matt Kirkland and Luke Ross while Matt Wakefield should be a big plus for us. We have a bit of depth in the forwards this year, something we lacked last season.''
Who do you think is in for a big season?
Riley Glover has played a bit of rep footy this season already and he should come back a better player. He should have a good year.'
At 48 you were forced to play a few matches last season when the side was short staffed. Will you be playing this year?
No way. Last year we had about five forwards. This year we have 15. I definitely won't be playing.
GAINS: Matt Wakefield (Sawtell), Matt Kirkland (returning), Luke Ross (returning), Corey Eason (returning).
LOSSES: Blake English
PREDICTED FINISH:
Paul: Seventh
Mick: Sixth
Cal: Seventh
MACLEAY VALLEY MUSTANGS
A year after one of the club's worst seasons, the Macleay Valley Mustangs have rebuilt their first grade side and have set a goal of reaching the finals.
The Mustangs were forced to withdraw from the senior competition in 2018, but they look as strong as ever after recruiting key personnel.
Coach Russell Lardner has convinced as many as eight players to return to their hometown club, headlined by the newly appointed captain and 2014, 2016 and 2017 Group 3 premiership winner Richie Roberts.
Macleay Valley have muscled up in their two pre-season fixtures, defeating last season's grand finalists the Port Macquarie Sharks and Port City Breakers in consecutive weeks, without conceding a point.
The Mustangs will kick off their season on the road against the Old Bar Pirates this Saturday April 6.
Captain Richie Roberts sat down and had a quick look at the year ahead.
Why have you returned to the Mustangs?
I became a father four months ago so I wanted to play and train closer to home to spend more time with my baby. I also saw what happened to the club last year, it was pretty sad to see it happen in such a strong footy community so I wanted to come back to help the rebuild.
What will your inclusion bring to the Mustangs?
Leadership, guidance and a bit of game management. I am an 80-minute forward who will run the ball and tackle hard all game.
The Mustangs have been quite successful in the two pre-season games, but have you identified an area where the team need to improve?
We need to get stronger around the ruck. We have worked a lot on our defence in the pre-season and I think that showed in the games against the Sharks and Breakers but we can always get better.
GAINS: Richie Roberts (Breakers), Russell Lardner (Breakers), Chris Piper (Breakers), Jesse Douglas (Breakers), Tyler Roberts (Breakers), Tyreece Sines (Mount Isa), Stephan Blair (Breakers), Dylan Adams (Sharks), Adam McMurray (Lower Macleay Magpies) and Josef Barber (South West Rocks Marlins).
LOSSES: Mal Webster (South West Rocks Marlins), Anthony Cowan, Dennis Ritchie and David Davis (Lower Macleay Magpies).
PREDICTED FINISH:
Paul: Second
Mick: Second
Cal: First
OLD BAR PIRATES
Shannon Ellem is looking forward to the added responsibility of coaching the Old Bar Pirates in this season's Group Three Rugby League competition.
Ellem, just 23, will be Old Bar's on-field leader and he'll share the coaching duties with Jamie Moorehead, who will be watching from the sideline. For good measure, Moorehead is also the club's president.
A Wingham junior, Ellem is in his second season with the Pirates. He was one of Old Bar's most consistent performers in 2018 until injury ended his campaign.
The Pirates were semi-finalists last season and Ellem is confident they have the roster to challenge for higher honours in 2019. Old Bar has picked up utility forward Nick Beacham from Wingham while a smart centre/five-eighth, Conor Taylor from England, a North Coast under 23 representative this season.
What is coach Jamie Moorehead looking forward to the most this year?
You'll mix coaching with being the club president this year, you'll be busy.
Very busy! We have a few people in place to take on certain aspects of the club to help lighten the load which has been a massive help.'
Why did the club decide to go with two coaches for first grade?
You could say because of the dual role, however, also having Shannon Ellem put his hand up to help out. He is someone who, although still young, has a great football brain and is keen to take on a leadership role and pass on his knowledge.'
You have some exciting talent coming through. Who do you think will be the players to watch this year.
I'm really looking forward to seeing Jared Wooster, Joel Minihan and Joel Dark transition from under 18s into their first full year of senior footy. It is exciting to have a number of juniors coming through.'
GAINS: Conor Taylor (England), Nick Beacham (Wingham), Jonathon Tickle (returning).
LOSSES: Nathan Maher (Wingham), Jake Wheeler (Wingham), Clint Walker (Port City Breakers), Percy King (returned to New Zealand).
PREDICTED FINISH:
Paul: Fourth
Mick: Third
Cal: Third
PORT CITY BREAKERS
Most people thought the Breakers just had to turn up on grand final day in 2018 to claim the Group 3 trophy, but someone forgot to tell the Port Sharks.
Ahead of the season opener between the two on Sunday at Regional Stadium, Breakers centre Ricky Arnell looked ahead to what the season potentially had in store.
He also gave an insight into why there is always feeling in a local derby.
Is the best way to blow out the cobwebs a first-up clash with with the Sharks?
You definitely get up for it and always want to beat them. It doesn't matter if it's the first game or the last, you don't want to lose to them.
Why does a grand final loss hurt so much and what motivation does it provide?
You always want to go one better, you don't want to come runner-up every year, no one remembers who came second, you only remember who comes first.
What has changed in the off-season?
We've got a fair few young fellas coming up through the ranks and other players have gone to other clubs so it should be a good season.
GAINS: Kyle Robbins (Orange Hawks), Clint Walker (Old Bar Pirates), Matt Everitt (Taree City Bulls), Tristram Morris (North Tamworth Bears)
LOSSES: Ezra Gibson (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Blake Wells (Campbelltown City), Chris Piper (Macleay Valley Mustangs), Richard Roberts (Macleay Valley Mustangs), Jeremy Smith (retired), Mitch Fowler (retired)
PREDICTED FINISH:
Paul: First
Mick: Fourth
Cal: Second
PORT MACQUARIE SHARKS
Port Macquarie Sharks have been down this path before. An exodus of experienced players after their 2018 Group 3 premiership win has again put the Sharks future success in their young brigade's hands.
The Sharks made the semi-finals in 2017 after a high turnover of players in the 2016 off-season, but a lack of experience and composure when the moments mattered cost them at the end of the year.
They find themselves in a similar position in 2019, but with it will come perfect opportunities for a number of their younger players to make an impression.
Fullback Mitch Wilbow will be one of their more experienced campaigners who will hope to continue on where he left off in 2018.
What role do you expect to be playing in 2019?
I will be playing in the position where I finished up last year, which is fullback.
What is it about the Sharks-Breakers rivalry that makes it what it is?
Everyone just wants to be the number one side as it's two teams in the one town.
You're one of the more experienced players after so many left in the off-season, what will that mean for your game?
I probably won't change my game as much this year, I'll just be doing whatever I can to better the team.
GAINS: Brandon Phelan (Wauchope Blues)
LOSSES: Willie Baker (Macksville Sea Eagles), Luke Sprague (retired), Matt Shipway (retired), Dave Geary (retired), Jake Hawkins (Shellharbour Stingrays), Tom Maguire (Laurieton Stingrays), Corey Murphy (work commitments)
PREDICTED FINISH:
Paul: Fifth
Mick: Eighth
Cal: Fourth'
Want to read anything footy-related? Click here.
TAREE CITY BULLS
Will Clarke is sure Taree City will surprise a lot of pundits in this season's Group Three Rugby League competition.
The 25-year-old forward concedes things didn't look too bright for the Bulls at early training sessions, when only a handful of players were turning out. However, things have improved in the last month.
What do you expect from the Bulls this year? Things weren't looking that great a month ago.
"It's looking heaps better now. I'm confident we'll be looking at the top end of the table.
Will you be out to prove people wrong?
I think that's the way with Group Three footy, you just don't know what's going to happen until just before the season starts.
Where will be your strengths?
We're going to have a good pack of forwards - as good as any in the competition I reckon.
GAINS: Rob Mason (Maitland)
LOSSES: Michael Peachy (Dubbo) Matt Everitt (Port City).
PREDICTED FINISH
Paul: Eighth
Mick: Fifth
Cal: Eighth
WAUCHOPE BLUES
Wauchope Blues went within the barest of margins of appearing in the grand final last year when eliminated by the Port Sharks in the semi-finals.
They enter the 2019 Group 3 season as an unknown quantity with a significant turnover of players from last season although on face value at least, they have replaced those who left.
Beau White will captain the Blues as they attempt to again qualify for the big dance in late August.
Do you think your depth will be tested this year?
We're missing a couple from last year but we've gained a couple more so the depth will still be there and we'll still be strong
What expectations have you got for the year ahead:
I'd like to say we should be there at the end of the year and hopefully make the finals.
Anyone we should keep an eye on that has come through the grades?
A couple of young fellas. Tristan Scott has played rep in the last couple of years and he's turned into a good little playmaker. We've got another young fella on the wing outside me with a bit of speed in Sam Ylias. They're all young fellas and all keen.
GAINS: Ollie Pascoe (Port Sharks), Shadow Wirori (New Zealand), Dylan Lund (Hay), Josh Caruana (Sydney), Tim McKinnon (Kendall Blues), Denzel Lepua (New Zealand), Tom Sheaves, Sam Ackroyd (England)
LOSSES: Kobi Hugen (Queensland), Dylan Hemsley (travelling), Jamie Tracey (England), Liam Quinn (Wollongong), Tupara Tupara (New Zealand), Jayden Sargent (Wollongong)
PREDICTED FINISH:
Paul: Sixth
Mick: Seventh
Cal: Sixth
WINGHAM TIGERS
A decorated club junior, Mick Sullivan last played for Wingham in 1997 when he was a member of the first grade premiership winning team while still eligible for under 18s.
In the intervening years he played for the Northern Eagles, Cronulla, Warrington and Canterbury before accepting a captain-coaching role with Orange CYMS in Group 10, where he won five premierships in nine years.
He's returning to his home town determined to win a premiership
You're back to where your career started with Wingham. How did this come about?
I was playing golf in a charity day when the offer was made. Then Stu Baker and Craig Martin made sure it happened. Now I can't wait for the season to start.
What's your coaching record?
I spent nine great seasons with Orange CYMS in Group 10. We made seven grand finals and won five in the nine years I was there.
What excites you about the upcoming season?
Round one just to get started at my home town and to see what I think will work as a playing style in Group Three. I really can't wait to our first home game.
GAINS: Mick Sullivan (Orange CYMS), Nathan Maher (Old Bar), Kurt Lewis (Muswellbrook), Jake Wheeler (Old Bar), Kryan Bubb (Orange CYMS), Tim Watson (Muswellbrook)
LOSSES: Nick Beacham (Old Bar).
PREDICTED FINISH:
Paul: Third
Mick: First
Cal: Fifth