Replacing a former NRL star and fan favourite as coach was never going to be easy at the Nyngan Tigers.
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Stewart Mill’s departure left a gaping hole in the club and the 2017 group 11 runners-up endured a torrid time trying to replace the former Cronulla Shark.
But after some high-profile targets fell short at the final hurdle, a local lad with a huge amount of experience has stepped up to take the job.
The Tigers confirmed Jacob Neill as the new captain-coach earlier this month and its a job the former Western Rams half can’t wait to sink his teeth into.
“I just thought now’s the right time,” Neill told the Nyngan Observer.
“I think that I’m old enough now … you grow up and become ready to take responsibility.”
Neill first played with the Tigers when he was eight years old and is as proud a Tiger as anyone in the tight-knit community.
He played a key role in getting the Tigers to the 2017 decider, only to be beaten by Dubbo CYMS there.
“The community is right into their football, it’s a great town for that sort of stuff,” he said, before speaking about this season.
“I think I will get the respect off the guys that’s needed.
“Hopefully I can bring my own passion and put it into the club.
“Our goal is to get as close as we did last year.”
“I think that if we can all just put in a bit of effort and commitment, well you’re already winning in a sense.”
“Good things will come off the back of putting in effort and hard work and, you know, just being a good club in general”