RIVERINA FOOTBALL LEAGUE
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COOLAMON will enter the upcoming Riverina Football League season as one of the more fancied premiership chances but coach Matt Hard does not want to hear of any such talk.
The Hoppers began its 2013 campaign on Tuesday night as about 35 players took to Kindra Park to get preseason training under way.
The three new faces at training were certainly familiar ones to those at Coolamon with Lew Roberts taking part in his first session as Hoppers' assistant coach.
Ryan Chamberlain and Ben Fixter were both also in attendance for the Hoppers after one-year stints away in the Farrer League.
The three returning Hoppers juniors were big acquisitions in a quiet off-season, but Coolamon has farewelled experienced forward Rick Pritchett, young gun Nick Pleming and Zac Bradley.
Hard has planned a big preseason for the Hoppers as he works on ensuring no Coolamon player gets ahead of themselves after last year's surprise preliminary final appearance.
"The biggest thing for us is, last year we exceeded expectation, so we need to knuckle down and not get carried away with last year," Hard said.
"We're not focused on anything else apart from getting ourselves as fit as we can."
The Hoppers are still in talks with two players from outside the region in a bid to finalise their playing list.
Hard is hopeful, but is not relying on the two prospective recruits.
"We're still chasing one or two more from outside the area," Hard said.
"It's a drawn out process unfortunately but we're hopeful we can land one or two.
"I'm pretty happy with our list but I'd like to get another quality on-baller to throw in the mix."
Coolamon will train two nights a week at Kindra Park during the preseason, while Hard is also considering one on a weekend in Wagga.
He said fitness is the main aspect of training.
"I thought our fitness was pretty good last year so our main focus will be fitness again," Hard said.
"We want to work on all-round improvement so there will be ball work as well to try and sharpen up our skills.
"The boys are definitely keen to get amongst it."
Roberts and Ben Cadzow will both serve as assistant coaches this season.
Cadzow missed all last season following a horrific leg and knee injury with Coolamon hopeful he will be able to return to the field at some stage during this season.
Jake Wiggers, last season's big recruit from Tasmania, is due back in the area in the next fortnight.