Rugby league
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WEST WYALONG coach Willy Jones knows exactly what a premiership hangover feels like, and it's not something he wants to relive in a hurry.
The Mallee Men started last season as reigning Group 20 champions and Jones admits the silverware got to their heads early in the year.
While that rusty start was eventually and emphatically brushed away with a second consecutive premiership, the coach doesn't want to go through that same trouble again.
That's why the West Wyalong Knockout hosts will be going full bore tonight against the Queanbeyan Kangaroos.
"We'll be ready, for sure," Jones said.
"We don't want what happened last year to happen again.
"The boys had their heads up their a---- last year so we had to pull them out.
"They were just a bit too confident, a bit cocky. That's always going to happen after you win a grand final.
"Everyone's the same you hit that period where you're playing and you just get a bit too casual.
"But I reckon it's all good this year. Time will tell."
The fact that West Wyalong can throw one of Group 20's best props, former Leeton forward Nick Puntoriero, into a two-time premiership-winning pack won't hurt.
"Nick's settled in real well," Jones said.
"He's been training the house down, too. He's a good ball player and he's red-hot."