Macquarie has been put through its toughest and most gruelling pre-seasons in a number of years and coach Dylan Hill expects the benefits of that to be on show this weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After a long pre-season campaign, the Raiders kick take things up a notch this weekend with a trial match against Gunnedah on Saturday followed by the annual Group 11 Parkes Nines on Sunday.
Hill admitted he was cautious when planning a full weekend so early in the campaign but was confident it his side would be up for it.
“The Raiders have always had a lot of skills but have lacked in fitness,” he said.
“Then you look at a team like Dubbo CYMS, that’s the pinnacle of Group 11 and fitness and that’s the kind of standard we want to match.
RELATED:
“I’ve seen the results already through fitness drills and people improving and I think you’ll see that reflected on the field.”
While some of its Group 11 rivals have gone on strong strong recruitment drives, Macquarie has enjoyed a relatively quiet off-season.
Bobby-Jo Gordon and Colt Tairua have come into the side but Hill has focused on retaining players and putting responsibility on them as the Raiders aim to climb back up the ladder.
Hill stated under 18s premiership winners Jai Merritt, Dalton Medcalf and Robert Freeman are signed up and keen to make an impact in the senior grade.
“I’ve re-signed a lot and given them the chance to prove themselves,” Hill said.
I’ve seen the results already through fitness drills ... you’ll see that reflected on the field.
- Dylan Hill
The first opportunity the players get to do just that is this weekend.
The clash with Gunnedah at Barden Park on Saturday will be the first chance to side has for a proper hit-out while in the Nines on Sunday the Raiders will need to get past Wellington and Nyngan to make finals.
“A lot of the boys will back-up so it’s going to be two big days but we’re looking forward to it,” he said.
“We’ve had full numbers at training and everyone has been showing up.
“It’s been a long pre-season but it will be good to give them a hit-out. I was a bit cautious when I pitched it (playing two days) but they’re keen.”
While Hill has been pleased by the strong turnout at training throughout pre-season, there have been a few players who have impressed him the most.
“The one who has really impressed me is Jayden Merritt,” he said.
“He’s really been getting into it and has dropped about 15 kilos and he’s been a real leader in the drills and training sessions.
“Before Christmas he really started to make that effort and his work ethic at training has been great and he encourages the other to follow him.”
Hill singled out Ash Widders as another who has stood out.
The Parkes Nines is played out at Pioneer Oval on Sunday with matches being played in seniors, under 18s and league tag.
Matches start 9am with the league tag final at 1.50pm, the 18s decider at 2.35pm and the senior final at 3.10pm.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
