The Wellington Cowboys are locked in for next year's Peter McDonald Premiership, but they will enter the new competition without two of their biggest names.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After weeks of uncertainty and conjecture the Cowboys confirmed to NSW Rugby League on Monday morning they will be part of the western-wide title race in season 2022.
The Cowboys had been the only club not to commit to the Peter McDonald Premiership at the recent Group 11 annual general meeting after raising a number of issues with the planned competition.
They now join 12 other clubs from across Group 11 and Group 10 as part of the game's new era, but captain-coach Justin Toomey-White could have a challenge on his hands as a number of player departures have already been confirmed.
Wade Peachey and EJ Fernando have made the move to Dubbo to link with Macquarie while, in a huge blow, it's likely neither Will Lousick or Dennis Moran will be in the maroon and white next season.
READ ALSO:
After a glittering career, former NRL player Dennis Moran has confirmed his retirement while livewire fullback Lousick is set to make the move to Newcastle.
"As far as player retention goes we've lost a few," president Darren Ah See said when discussing the 2022 season late last month.
"The biggest of those is probably Dennis, who's retired. He's got a young fella in the (Penrith) Panthers system so he'll be spending weekends with him and Will will be a big loss to us.
"But we've got a good core group players and a lot are local players. Whatever we come up with, we'll be strong."
As positive as Ah See feels about the season ahead, he was all too aware it will take something special to fill the holes left by Moran and Lousick.
Wily veteran Moran came out of retirement to link with the Cowboys ahead of the 2019 season, having previously spent his entire post-NRL career with Parkes, while local junior Lousick had developed into one of the most dangerous and most exciting players in Group 11.
Ah See had plenty of praise for both, who will go down as club greats after playing key roles in the Cowboys' drought-breaking premiership win in 2019.
"Since his (Lousick's) stint at Redcliffe he's grown as a player and he's just a natural footballer," Ah See said.
"He's got explosive speed and a knack of being at the right place at the right time so he'll be a big miss.
"Dennis is a different type of player, he's around 45 now, but he was the smartest football brain out here. You might have only got 20 or 30 good minutes out of him but they were quality minutes.
"His experience and knowledge around the younger kids was a big benefit and, as a club, we're proud he played his last game of senior football at the Wellington Cowboys."
Toomey-White will again lead the charge for the Cowboys in 2022 after being locked in as captain-coach while he will also take on the role of club coach next season.
As much as Ah See has confidence in the first grade side next season he was keen to state the lower grades have been a real focus during club meetings in recent weeks and months.
The first grade and under 18s sides will be part of the western-wide competition next season and NSWRL manager for Western, Evan Jones, was delighted to hear the Cowboys had agreed to be part of the new league.
"We're very excited and happy they have nominated," Jones said.
"It does strengthen the competition having them involved and it wouldn't be the same without them so we're pleased they put their hand up and we're looking for to next year now."
Jones also confirmed feedback on the proposed schedule for 2022 had been completed and the final draw is expected to come out next week.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News