Central North Rugby: Gunnedah to host Inverell to kick-off 2021 campaign

Their women's sevens side went on to win the Central North premiership and the club's three sides all made the semi-finals - the first time that had happened for more than a decade.

At Gunnedah Rugby Park on Saturday, all three will kick-off their 2021 campaigns against Inverell.

Aiming to improve on their fourth place finish two years ago, first grade go into the season bouyed by a couple of good trial hit-outs.

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They played Coffs Harbour in early March and then Mudgee a couple of weeks ago.

"Obviously we haven't played since 2019, so it was good to work on a few combinations," skipper Matt Roseby said.

They have been fortunate to retain most of the playing group from two years ago and have bolstered that with a few new faces.

Will Burke, Lachy Mack and Ben Maunder are a few of the notable new recruits.

Burke captained St Alberts last season and will pack at No.8 against the Highlanders.

Mack previously played with Barraba but has settled in Gunnedah and will add some handy size to the second row.

Maunder has come across from Narrabri.

The half-back was actually living in Gunnedah in 2019 but had started the pre-season with the Blue Boars so played out the season with them.

He will be a handy addition with nine a position the Red Devils have struggled with. Two years ago they operated most of the season without an out-and-out half-back.

Jack Morrissey, another Albies graduate last year, will be another making their debuts on Saturday.

They have also welcomed back Ron Hobden. The former NSW Country hooker has in recent years been tied up with other things and unable to fully commit to the season.

As much as anything the new arrivals will importantly add some depth.

"We had a number of injuries in key positions coming into the finals (two years ago). Hopefully we've rectified that with a bit of depth," first grade coach Dan Martin said.

He expects them to be competitive but beyond that he said it is too hard to know at this point.

"It's a hard comp in terms of the physicality of it all.

"It will be interesting who (teams) stays injury free for those big games," he said.

One of the strengths two years ago was their set pieces. Roseby said that has been a strong focus after faltering when it came to the crunch, with Pirates getting it over them there in the minor semi-final.

"It still stings a bit," he admitted.

After putting themselves in the best position for a number of years to make the grand final and then blowing a 15-nil lead in minor semi-final, he added that they feel like they have "got a bit of a point to prove to ourselves to try and get into the grand final".

First things first, everyone is just excited to be playing footy again.

Roseby though will have to wait a few more weeks until he can get back out there after injuring his knee back in December.

"Hopefully I'm only two or three weeks away," he said.

The women will kick things off on Saturday at 1.10pm.

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