ONE year ago the Cobar Roosters had just finished a horror season which began with a two-week ban for lack of numbers and things didn’t get much better for the rest of the year as they continually struggled and only managed to field a first grade and under-18s side.
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Fast forward 12 months and things are looking far more positive for the mining town with the first grade side finishing a creditable sixth and the reserve grade team preparing for a semi-final this weekend at Nyngan.
The Roosters fielded three grades in 2014 and in a huge sign of real progress there was not one forfeit from a Cobar team this season while the first grade side finished the season with three wins and three draws, two of those against the top two sides in the competition, CYMS and Wellington.
In his first year as Roosters president John Claus has seen a lot of positive steps at the club but one thing he is most proud of is the feeling his club can keep getting better.
First year captain-coach Nathan Graham only lasted two matches before seriously injuring his knee while star forward Troy Hayman also spent most of the season on the treatment table and Claus believes with a bit of luck the Roosters could have finished even higher on the ladder.
“First grade was hard, there were lots of injuries,” he said.
“Our coach was injured in the second game and was out for the season, he needed a knee reconstruction. Troy Hayman, our Western Rams representative, did his hamstring and he didn’t play again. That really cruelled us in the forwards.
“For a team which was struggling the year before, to finish where we have finished is really good but there’s also a feeling of what could have been.
“There were a couple of games the boys really should have won and they know that so it’s good to hear they know they can do better and we’re already preparing to do better next year.”
Claus heaped praise on the club’s reserve grade squad, and in particular coach Ben Trudgett, as they prepared for an elimination semi-final against Nyngan on Sunday.
Injuries in first grade saw a number of players having to regularly back up and Claus said that was something greatly appreciated within the club.
“We couldn’t have done it without those boys in ‘ressies’, they were fantastic and some weeks played two full games,” he said.
“It would mean a lot if we could win this weekend, I’m proud of them for just making it this far but there was a really good vibe at training, they’re keen and should be at full strength.”
The Roosters reserve grade side kick off their semi-final at Larkin Oval at 11.30am Sunday.
