GROUP NINE
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SEARCHING for some muscle to counter Albury's fearsome force, Southcity is closing in on signing one of the best front rowers in the bush.
Southcity captain-coach Daniel Fitzhenry yesterday confirmed the Bulls were deep in negotiations with gun Bathurst prop Zac Merritt ahead of next year's Group Nine premiership.
Originally from Forbes, Merritt won a Toyota Cup premiership with the Canberra Raiders in 2008 has played for the past three years with Bathurst club St Pat's.
This year Merritt won St Pat's best and fairest award and was a key player in the Group 10 team in the Country Championships.
Amid much jostling for Merritt's prized signature, Fitzhenry revealed Southcity was "talking" to the crack front rower.
"Nothing's been done yet, but we are talking to him," Fitzhenry said yesterday.
Southcity's move on Merritt comes as the Wagga club strives to shore up its pack before trying to end Albury's recent domination of the Group Nine title.
Taking a lead from their rampaging pack, the Thunder have won the past two grand finals, leaving Southcity in their wake.
The Bulls had great success with their veteran bookends Matt Ward and Wal Makeham this year, but the clubs is desperate to add some more punch.
With Merritt firmly in Southcity's sights, the Bulls are also set to tie up another recruit at the weekend.
On the other side of the fence, however, Southcity has lost out to another club to sign two crack young players.
Fitzhenry said yesterday Kangaroos had gazumped the Bulls to sign the quality pair.
Significantly, Roos are known to have been eager to recruit Merritt to bolster their front row stocks.
New Roos captain-coach Adam Hall is also from Forbes and the link was expected to lead Merritt to the club.
Merritt played alongside Hall at Forbes before switching to Bathurst.
Likewise, Hall left Forbes two years ago to join Roos and has become the team's playmaking star.
The signing war involving Southcity and Kangaroos is sure to only fire up the great rivalry between the two Wagga teams.
Ironically, Southcity will start "unofficial" pre-season training at Jubilee Park today from 6pm.