Macquarie Raiders president Ross McDermott might be joking when he says there's a bit of Wayne Bennett about David Peachey but he's seriously excited the former NRL star has signed on to coach at the Dubbo club.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Peachey will mentor the Raiders' under 18s next season, having returned to his junior club to help out a little behind the scenes last year.
Peachey will work alongside Brett Warwick while long-time Raiders junior mentor Jim Kelly will also be around as the club aims to get its under 18s side back towards the top of the Group 11 ladder.
"It was interesting last year when Jimmy Kelly sat there and introduced him to the team (last year)," McDermott said of Peachey.
"A few knew him but then he said he'd played 250-odd NRL games and they all sat up and looked at him. I'm not sure they all realised but he did a fantastic job in the background then.
"He's quiet but I think he's got a bit of Wayne Bennett about him. What he says has the juniors really glued to him."
READ ALSO:
The Raiders have locked in most of their coaching staff early, with Alex Ronayne returning as captain-coach for first grade while Anthony Egan will again lead reserve grade.
Peachey has stepped up to take on the 18s while McDermott said discussions are ongoing with potential league tag coaches.
While Western Rams representative Ronayne was a marquee recruit prior to the 2020 season, one that didn't go ahead due to COVID-19, Peachey is an equally exciting addition.
"It's great to have a Macquarie junior back," McDermott said.
"He's been coached by some of the best so now he'll impart that knowledge on as we continue to focus on our juniors.
"When his name first came up he didn't hesitate at all and he's fully committed. He's had a break and some time away from the game and I think it can be good to step back."
Peachey finished playing in the NRL in 2007 after a career that featured 232 matches for the Cronulla Sharks as well as spells with the Widnes Vikings and South Sydney Rabbitohs.
He also represented NSW and NSW Country while he played one Test for the Australian Kangaroos.
It is almost certain Peachey will be purely in an off-field role at the Raiders and while McDermott doesn't expect the former Sharks star to lace up the boot at any stage he admitted "you can never say never" when it comes to people coming out of retirement.
The Raiders are set to start pre-season in mid-January but there's still plenty of work happening now as the club works to lock in the playing roster.
Like every other club, the Raiders have been working to re-sign players who had agreed to join the club in 2020.
There's been no issues for the first grade side up to this point with Ronayne returning and Jordan Reynolds also agreeing to stick on while New Zealanders Lopeti Mafi and Mose Esera will also return.
McDermott stated discussions with other players are ongoing and he doesn't expect there to be any problems getting the likes of Josh Toole, Matt Naden, and Matt Toole to recommit.
The club is also keeping an eye out for potential new players, with additions to the halves to provide more creativity likely.
McDermott confirmed Ronayne had been in contact with players during the recent Tribal League competition and there was an indication a number were willing to meet with the Raiders.
"Maybe we'll be able to announce something before Christmas," McDermott said of any new deals.
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.
