FARRER LEAGUE
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SLEEPING giant The Rock-Yerong Creek has wrapped up its off-season affairs and is counting down the days to round one of the Farrer League.
The Magpies were busy early on in the post-season rush to snap up players but have gone into hiding over the past couple of months.
Coach Mick Mazzocchi yesterday confirmed he has added eight footballers to the list who will push for first grade spots, headlined by former club junior Tom Yates (O&M) and premiership onballer Tim Mathieson (Narrandera).
The talented pair will compensate for the departures of class midfielders Ryan Chamberlain (Coolamon) and Mark Ward (Ainslie).
Mazzocchi also said defender Mitch Glasgow has a new job in West Wyalong and is unsure how it will affect his availability during the season.
Excluding a couple of possible retirements, the three should be the only real losses for the Magpies and Mazzocchi is confident he will have a crack squad to pick a team from.
"We've added about eight genuine footballers, and there's probably seven or eight others who haven't made their mind up yet," Mazzocchi said.
"We're not looking to recruit any more.
"There might be one bloke coming up with Yates who looks like he could be a decent player."
Yates will travel from Albury each week for training and games during the season and is trying to talk a friend into joining him at TRYC.
Mazzocchi expects the former Albury Tigers player to slot into first grade if he decides to join the black and white.
The Magpies will return to the training track on Friday, February 1 when Mazzocchi will begin drilling his team on a new game plan for the season.
"We've got a new game plan which we will use this season," he said.
"We've given everyone a good break now to keep everyone fresh."
Meanwhile North Wagga will begin training on Tuesday week at McPherson Oval.
The club is also seeking expressions of interest for netball coaches and players.