Rugby union
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THE Griffith Blacks have gone back to the future by signing Lee Kimball for another stint as coach and the club stalwart is intent on bringing back the glory days.
A former club president and 100-game player for the Blacks, Kimball's five-year coaching sabbatical is over after agreeing to replace new president Clint Robinson for season 2013.
Asked what lured him back to the Blacks, a forthright Kimball said: "The honest answer is we haven't been as successful as what I think we should be over the last four or so years."
"In all my time in Griffith we've always been in the top tier of the competition and always made the finals, but we've been sliding.
"Certainly through to 2007, we always made the semis and that's acceptable, I reckon. But winning it is what you really want to do.
"I thought it's no good whinging and moaning on the sidelines, so it was time to give it a crack again and do something about it."
Kimball said there was "no reason" why Griffith can't scale the heights of previous years.
"In 2000 and 2001 we had what I considered the best bush football team anywhere in Australia," he said.
"It was an outstanding team. We won two premierships in a row those years but I don't think we've won a grand final since.
"Talking to the guys I'm bringing into the club to help me out, we need structure and fitness and a commitment to train the things you need in any team sport."
Kimball believes he will have plenty to work with next season, with a fresh batch of players from Griffith's strong junior base set to make up the bulk of his squad.
"I only saw three or four games last year but there were some quality players, no doubt," he said.
"And there are some great kids coming through the juniors. Trust me, I've seen some of them and they're bloody big boys.
"It will depend on their maturity and their standard but I've always thought if you're good enough, you're old enough."