BULLDOGS assistant coach Brett Kimmorley believes Canberra Raiders will bring some of their long-lost pizzazz to the NRL trial game at Equex Centre on February 18.
The former Kangaroos halfback was in Wagga yesterday as part of the NRL’s Community Carnival, but took the time to talk rugby league with The Daily Advertiser.
In the midst of training The Riverina Anglican College’s Hardy Shield team yesterday, Kimmorley said he hopes to see the Raiders reignite their famous unpredictable flair at the Wagga trial game on Saturday week.
“I love watching the Raiders play, the way they throw the ball around is very exciting,” he said.
“I don’t think they had the chance to do that last year.
“I think they’ll do well this year, they had a disappointing season last year with Terry Campese and a couple of other injuries but Sam Williams was a wonderful talent that came out of that.
“Josh McCrone really took on a lot more responsibility and I think he’s in for a big year.”
To counteract what he predicts to be a full-strength Raiders brigade, Kimmorley said the Bulldogs will bring their best possible squad to the Wagga trial.
The Bulldogs will play their first trial game this weekend against Sydney Roosters at Belmore Park, and will back up in Wagga on Saturday week.
Although the squad has not been announced, Kimmorley said the Bulldogs will use Sunday’s trial to finalise the positions for their trial game against the Raiders the following weekend.
“I do know that we’re going to bring a very strong side to Wagga,” he said. “This weekend’s trial is a NSW Cup and NRL trial so our squad will be split but when we come back to Wagga next week I know Des will want the 22 players in the squad to be our best.”
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