GROUP NINE
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COOTAMUNDRA coach Mark Elia insists the Bulldogs need to hit the ground running or risk ending its Group Nine season in the first five rounds of competition.
The Bulldogs scarped inside the top five in time for finals last year, but will face an arduous run against the top four teams in the competition in the first month of the draw.
A demanding start to the season includes home games against Young, Gundagai and Albury, while the Bulldogs will travel to face Southcity followed by new-look Tumbarumba on home turf.
Speaking yesterday, Elia said he was banking on a rigid preseason to get the Bulldogs in shape to tackle its tough season start.
"I'm trying to get the team committed and excited for the entire season, now," he said yesterday.
"This is the reason why, we play the top four and then we go away to Tumbarumba we need to be ready.
"In our draw for the preseason tournament we play West Wyalong, who won the Group 20 comp and then Temora, who have signed a heap of good players.
"If we're not up to it straight away, our season could be all over red rover in June."
Despite the addition of ex-New Zealand international Elia as coach, the Bulldogs have lost last year's marquee recruit Kyle Neale, who has returned to England, as well as Liam Duffy (Kangaroos), Tom Sellars (Yenda) and Michael Murphy (England).
With former coach and Group Nine front rower Grant Boyd returning to the paddock, Elia believes it's time for the senior players to "step up" into a mentoring role for the younger crop of talent.
Last season's coach Aaron Byrne is at the top of Elia's list of experienced leaders, but he insists the responsibility will lie with the entire senior roster to set the benchmark.
"I will expect the more experienced players to step up and take the ball this year," he said.
"Those with six or seven years experience in the top grade will need to take on the responsibility and bridge the gap for some of the younger guys and bring them through. Being a non-playing coach it's really going to be up to them to take that on."
The Bulldogs will take on the $12,000 West Wyalong Knockout next month, as well as a trial game on the South Coast a week before the Group Nine and Group 20 preseason competition.