Wes Middleton has got fans in Narromine believing again.
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The captain of the Indigenous Goannas side arrived at Narromine during the off-season to take on the role of Jets’ captain-coach and it didn’t take long for him to endear himself to the community.
Like most clubs heading into round one of the new season this weekend, the Jets have undergone a huge amount of change during the off-season.
But everything happening at Narromine is positive and that’s the way Middleton wants to keep it.
“We’re bringing back that spirit from the old days,” he said.
“People are coming together to give back to the community and give them something exciting to be a part of each weekend.”
His goals for this season are pretty simple, as well.
Jets fans are some of the most long-suffering in the competition but Middleton wants to have them up off their feet right through to second weekend in September.
“Grand final is the goal,” he said.
“You would be foolish not to have that as the goal and I firmly believe in our boys.
“We’ve got some younger boys who want to be here and that’s the the bonus. I’ve got blokes who want to wear the red and white jersey.”
The Jets start their season at Dubbo on Sunday, taking on the might of Dubbo CYMS.
The Fishies downed the Jets comfortably twice last season on their charge to grand final glory and the men in green and white again start as favourites in 2018.
But Middleton wouldn’t start his season any other way.
“If you want to be the best you’ve got to beat the best and some people say it would be better to play them later on but I think it’s the perfect way to start,” he said.
“You’ve got to give credit to CYMS for all they’ve done and they’ve worked hard for many years and the club is run very professionally but I can tell everyone that Narromine is on the same path now.”
As well as Middleton, much is expected of the Jets’ new halves Travis Lowe and Tyrone Walsh.
Both have arrived from Newcastle and impressed enough at the Parkes Nines and in a trial match to earn places in the Group 11 representative side which played Group 10 at Bathurst last weekend.
Those three players will be vital this season but leading forwards and local players Alex Sambrook and Ryan Richardson are also key.
“We really make the spine with those two young guys (Walsh and Lowe) in the halves and they will control the team and lead us around,” Middleton said, himself playing at hooker this year.
“They’re really exciting to play with and they’ve adapted well to my coaching.”
The Jets meet CYMS at Apex Oval on Sunday with lower grade action starting at 11am.