When Sam Coe arrived at Macquarie during the off-season the thought was the Raiders had picked up one of the most electric fullbacks in the western area.
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But when the Raiders take to the field in the Group 11 round one clash at Parkes on Sunday, Coe will be wearing the number six jersey.
And Macquarie coach Dylan Hill can’t wait to see his new five-eighth in action.
“He’s got a lot of ability and he was fortunate enough to get in the Group 11 side and he’s open to the change,” Hill said.
“It’s a positional change but he’s got the ability and will take the responsibility. He’s an excellent talent and he’s got the skills and mindset required.”
The halves is a key area for the Raiders this season with Josh Merritt’s departure to Bathurst St Pat’s leaving a gaping hole in terms of creativity and control.
Hill has plenty of options at his disposal but in a sign of the culture he is creating, undisciplined players and those who haven’t shown commitment in training won’t be lining up at Jock Colley Field on Sunday.
Coe has been one who has impressed during pre-season, earning himself a spot in the Group 11 side in the process.
Colt Tairua also made the move from Westside to Macquarie during pre-season and is another who represented Group 11 last weekend.
Tairua is also one who Hill will look to as he attempts to make his Raiders a more polished unit in attack and defence.
In recent seasons, Macquarie’s problem has been an inability to score points despite possessing a host of talented individuals.
“We’ve struggled to get across the line,” Hill said.
“We’ve got the talent and we’ve got people now like Sam Coe who can turn a game on his own hand and then Colt can bust a line. We’ve recruited some good players.”
As well as the new recruits, Hill be relying heavily on some familiar faces.
In somewhat of a leadership group, Hill has told Jade Hooper, Furt Fuller and Jayden Merritt to set the tone for the side.
Hooper and Fuller both missed the trial match against Narromine and Hill said that was one of the major reasons the Raiders were defeated in that game.
“Jade has been there for a few years now and is a real leader for the younger boys and we missed his presence against Narromine,” Hill said.
“Kurt captained the Macquarie under 18s in 2008 and won the title so he’s someone I’ve spoken to a lot and I’ve said before Jayden has impressed me a lot in pre-season, on and off the field.”
The action at Parkes starts at 11am on Sunday, with the first grade match expected to kick-off at 2.30pm.