Having played alongside him for numerous years in the maroon of the Wellington Cowboys, Aidan Ryan is expecting an almighty return for Justin Toomey-White this season.
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Toomey-White coached the Cowboys to a drought-breaking Group 11 premiership win in 2019 but didn't feature on the field due to a battle with bowel cancer.
It was a battle he ultimately overcame but then COVID-19 resulted in the 2020 season and any chance of playing again being cancelled.
Now Toomey-White is primed to return but former co-coach Ryan won't be there alongside him after the winger announced his retirement this week.
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He'll still be keeping a close eye on the Cowboys though and fully expects the two-time Group 11 Player of the Year to be leading the charge.
"They've lost about nine players and some people think they're not a chance but they've recruited well," Ryan said.
"Justin is the best player in Group 11 and he'll show that this year when he wins Group 11 Player of the Year.
"Darren (Ah See, club president) really, really wants to win a premiership for him. He was still part of the (2019) squad but it's such a different feeling out on the field."
Toomey-White's return is a huge boost for a Wellington side which will be missing a host of the players from the 2019 title-winning squad.
There has been some handy additions, with Corey Cox and Harry Kempston making the move across from Dubbo CYMS while prop Colt Ure has also signed on and Derick Peachey is going to be making the trip back from Sydney to play each week.
In another massive deal, Wellington are also expected to secure the services of Western Rams representative Wade Kavanagh after his switch from CYMS to Macquarie collapsed.
Wellington meets Forbes in next weekend's first round.
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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.
