Rugby league
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THE Darlington Point- Coleambally Roosters side for 2013 is quickly coming together with a raft of new recruits and re-signings.
Key men Josh Curphey, Kyle Charles, Richie Bamblet and Group 20 rookie of the year Drew Hopwood have put pen to paper with the club to extend their stay to the end of next season.
Player-coach Andrew Herbert is planning to shift Hopwood, a natural ball-player, from the centres to five-eighth, where his vision and skill will be better employed.
This move will allow Curphey to move back into the forward pack, while new signing Josh Bryant returns from Sawtell fitter than he has ever been, Herbert said.
"He will add speed and strength to the back line and is by far the quickest bloke in the group," he said.
The Roosters boss, who took the side to fifth position in his first year at the helm, is also in talks with two talented former locals who are planning a move back to the Riverina.
The club has confirmed that reigning best and fairest Jone Wesele will be joined by another of his Fijian national squad teammates.
The diverse team will also include two other overseas players - a Brit and a Tongan - which will bulk up an already powerful pack of forwards.
Meanwhile, the Roosters have locked in their 2013 coaching staff for all five grades.
While Herbert looks to break a 25-year premiership drought in the first grade, Daniel Brady will take care of the reserves and Shane Gilbert will serve as under-18s coach. Graham Carroll (under-16s) and Cameron Muir (ladies' Oz Tag) are the other members of the panel. The first training session for all teams will be on Friday 11 January 2013, ahead of the West Wyalong knockout at the end of February.