GROUP NINE
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GETTING a jump on the competition, new Brothers coach Adam Perry is wasting no time in restoring the club to its former Group Nine glory.
Along with co-coach Adam Vanzanten, the former NRL star has calculated a plan to elevate the Brethren from this year's ninth spot finish into a genuine title contender.
The plan launched into action at Parramore Park last night, as Perry and Vanzanten put the team through its paces to kick-start the pre-season remake.
However, Perry insists fitness will come with time, he's more concerned with creating a team that's dedicated to success.
"I suppose we'll be doing little bits and pieces, but a lot of what Blake (Dunn) was doing last year was good," he told The Daily Advertiser yesterday.
"The thing will be getting a lot more of the guys on board with it and hopefully we get everyone pushing in the same direction.
"We don't want a couple of guys busting themselves and the rest of them expect to be dragged up, we'll need a bit more ownership.
"We're not going to do anything too crazy just yet but it's more of a team building thing and getting everyone together.
"We want to give all the players a bit of an idea about where we're heading as coaches as well, so the more time we give them to get used to it, the better."
Taking a unified front, Perry believes getting an early start on the pre-season will pay dividends towards the end of the season next year.
With virtually the same playing roster to work with, Perry has high expectations for an all round improvement.
"We've got a fairly similar roster to last year, so it's good that a lot of the guys are staying around," he said.
"We've added a couple of outside backs which will be handy and then of course (Matt) Wardy from Gundagai and Noah Fotu from Leeton.
"Otherwise we'll be a fairly similar team."
Perry insists the addition of Ward, who is a Group Nine representative, and Fotu, a former Country representative, will add depth and experience to the team.
Meanwhile, Perry yesterday ruled out a possible return to the paddock next season.
Training is every Tuesday at 6pm at Parramore Park.