A mixed bag of new and old blood joining the Magpies first-grade side has Hay excited for a potential flight up the ladder in 2019.
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Although the side finished last in the Group 20 in 2018, a big increase in the number of players who have been attending training this year has seen a strong wind of optimism growing around town.
This month the Magpies announced their coaching across the board, with former grade one teammates James McLean and Shayne Kennedy agreeing to share coaching duties for the first grade.
Although the McLean was assistant coach to Gareth Price in 2011, the two admit they have little experience behind the clipboard.
The two mates are confident they can make co-coaching work however, and with 10 to 15 extra players attending training this year Kennedy is confident the team will be able to soar on last years performance.
Weve got a few locals who are coming back Shaun Aylett is a local boomer (big kangaroo) and came with big wraps and he is going to be in the forwards as a lock back rower, Kennedy said.
We are hoping to strengthen up our forward we have always had good backs, we just really need to match (our competition) with the our size in the middle and our backs should be able to do the rest.
Sides like the Warratahs have always got big forward packs.
In their first signing for the season the pies will also bringing over Digicel Cup player Elvis Ayako from PNG to play in the centre and fullback.
He will be joining the Magpies alongside Zuco Yakopa who has played for the PNG Hunters and in the Queensland Cup as a front and second row player.
In his third season for the Magpies Orisi Rokobati will also be complementing the team.
His work rate is impressive, he is a big body, he is pretty mobile, and he has good work rate and impact, McLean said.
We have another back rower Brad Pocock we are pretty excited to have him back and he will bring some good experience and knowledge to the club,
There are plenty of players pushing for spots rather than just walking into a first grade jumper, that will have them training harder and looking for spots.
Hays first game of the season will be against West Wylong at 3pm on Saturday March 31.
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