West Wyalong star signing Usaia O’Sullivan has reported for his first training run with his new club.
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The ex-Sydney Roosters under 20s player has signed for the 2015 season, along with Sam Kerry, who joins West Wyalong from Temora.
O’Sullivan has moved from Sydney, where he played rugby for the West Harbour Pirates in the Shute Shield, to replace centre Willy Jones, who will turn out for Tullibigeal-Lakes United this year.
Kerry is primarily a backrower and made the move from Temora after brother Brandon made a successful transition to West Wyalong in 2014.
West Wyalong captain-coach Rohan Loudon was glad to bring some new blood into the club and said it had already paid off.
“We’ve got Usaia O'Sullivan from Sydney, he’s a centre, and Sam Kerry, BJ’s brother, from Temora,” Loudon said.
“They’re both training really well, they’re both fit and have pulled the standard up at training.
“We’ve had the same team for a while, so you need a few fresh faces. It’s handy.
“We’ve been training for four to five weeks or so now, but there’s nothing like playing.
“You can train as much as you like, but the boys get itchy for a game.”
The Mallee Men’s first football of the year will be the annual West Wyalong Knockout on February 27-28.
The competition has attracted teams from Groups 20, Nine, 10, 11 and Canberra.
The knockout will not only provide West Wyalong’s new recruits a chance to show their worth for the first time, it will also give juniors and fringe first graders the chance to push for spots for round one of the season.
“Dylan Turner and Ben Fitzgerald, those sort of blokes, haven't been to training, but hopefully they start turning up soon,” Loudon said. “Jarrad Kelly and Brad Murphy have been training pretty well.
“Everyone will get a run. We will see who’s available at the start, see how we’re going to go and sort out combinations and things like that. We’ve got plenty of players in all positions.”
Loudon said it was always exciting to compete at the knockout.
“There’s a big buzz because the crowd is right behind us,” he said.
“It’s a hard thing to win because as much training as you do, you need luck. It’s only 15 minutes each way.
“You have to play teams from other groups. You know who their key players are because of the exposure they get, but you don't know a hell of a lot else.”
