RUGBY LEAGUE
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BIDDING for more Group Nine history, Albury captain-coach Josh Cale has dismissed "second year syndrome" as a concern for star fullback Ben Jeffery in 2013.
In a typically forthright assessment, Cale yesterday declared there was "no pressure" on Jeffery to replicate his dominant form of last year.
"All I'll be asking is for him (Jeffery) to his job as well as he can," Cale said yesterday.
"If he (Jeffery) has half the season he had last year, I'll be more than happy.
"I'm not too worried. He's a pretty exceptional player."
Despite his optimism, Cale yesterday acknowledged rival teams would strive hard to take some of the sting out of dynamic Jeffery's performance this year.
"You see it happen all the time," Cale said. "A new player comes to a competition and catches everyone on the hop.
"Sometimes they don't stand out as much the second year, but I don't think that's an issue.
"Benny's lighter and fitter and really keen to go again."
For Jeffery, last year produced a stunning debut in Group Nine, which was perfectly climaxed by Albury's thrilling victory over Southcity in the grand final in September.
Jeffery's destructive ball-running from fullback was a huge asset for the Thunder, but still failed to land him Group Nine's most coveted playing award.
A warm favourite on the strength of his dazzling form, Jeffery was upset in the Weissel Medal vote count by Young five-eighth Ben McAlpine.
With McAlpine off to Orange for 2013, the field is open for Jeffery to make up for last season's Weissel Medal disappointment.
However, Cale said Jeffery would not be lumbered with the weight of Albury's expectation in the season starting on Anzac Day amid hoopla at Robertson Oval.
"The best thing about us last year was that so many players had massive years," he said.
"Just look at the way Lou Goodwin, Willie Heta and Mark Walsham played.
"Everyone pulled their weight."
Under siege from several clubs, Albury faces a challenge to eclipse the Group Nine for a second straight year, according to Cale.
"The important thing is our mindset will be the same," he said.
Cale yesterday conceded he was "not upset" the Thunder had skipped nominating to play at the West Wyalong Knockout at Ron Crowe Oval on February 22 and 23.
"We'll play the two pre-season competition games and I'm still in talks to get another trial against a Group 10 or Group 11 club," he said.
"We did the same last year had a road trip away and a bit of bonding and it worked well."
Heading toward a first-round showdown with Gundagai at Anzac Park on April 27, Cale is refusing to down play the task against the Tigers.
"It'll be as tough as they come," Cale said.