By Les Muir
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RESURGENT Brothers has been dealt a crushing blow with star hooker Brock Dunn ruled out for the 2014 Group Nine season.
On the day officials released the draw for the upcoming season, the Brethren announced Dunn would not play at all next year.
Brothers president Riley Mullins yesterday revealed Dunn had torn his Achilles tendon in a "freak" incident" playing touch.
Mullins said the injury had ended Dunn's chances of playing any part in the Brethren's search for Group Nine redemption in 2014.
"It means Brock's out for the year," Mullins said.
"He won't play at all."
New of Dunn's injury came as Group Nine unveiled the draw for the 2014 season.
In a booming start to the premiership, dual premier Albury will play Gundagai in a blockbuster at Greenfield Park on April 26.
A day earlier, Brothers and Kangaroos will usher in the season as part of an Anzac Day double-header at Robertson Oval in Wagga.
Mullins said full details of the Anzac Day promotion had not been formally released, but he expected the game to go ahead on a similar format to this year.
"As far as I know it is still on," Mullins said.
"It's a Kangaroos home game again.
"It's our (Brothers) turn in 2015."
Under the proposed Anzac Day schedule, Kangaroos and Brothers will play only first grade at Robertson Oval, with lower grade games at Equex Centre the following day.
The Roos-Brethren clash will be played as the curtain-raiser to the Riverina Football League fixture involving Wagga Tigers and Collingullie Ashmont Kapooka.
With Dunn out of the equation for 2014, meantime, the signing of Joe Williams takes on even greater significance for Brothers.
Williams has reignited his rugby league career to play for the Brethren after previously playing for Albury in 2011.
Significantly, the Thunder will open their premiership defence against the Tigers, the team they beat in the grand final in September.
For Gundagai, the game will mark a chance to break a run of three straight losses to the Thunder in 2013.
Albury beat Gundagai 28-8 at Anzac Park to open the season before winning 40-22 at Greenfield Park and 30-20 in the grand final.
Albury will enter the 2014 premiership with coach Josh Cale in a non-playing role, while the Tigers will have Cameron Woo stepping up as captain-coach for the first time.
Group Nine - round 1
April 25
Kangaroos v Brothers at Robertson Oval
April 26
Albury v Gundagai at Greenfield Park
April 27
Tumbarumba v Tumut at Tumbarumba Showground
Young v Cootamundra at Alfred Oval
Junee v Temora at Laurie Daley Oval
Southcity (bye)