TEMORA captain-coach Michael Henderson has quashed suggestions the club is unfairly luring players, as Kangaroos bear the brunt of another key loss.

In the wake of the departure of star hooker Glenn Dumbrell, Roos are reeling after the loss of injured talent Hayden Jolliffe to resurgent rival Temora.

“Yeah, Hayden has signed with them (Temora),” Roos captain-coach Adam Hall said.

“The club is obviously very disappointed. Hayden has played first grade with us since he was 17.”

Temora are in the throes of arguably Group Nine’s most beneficial off-season recruitment campaign, headlined by former Southcity captain-coach Daniel Fitzhenry.

The Dragons’ undeniable success has left some in Group Nine circles questioning the morality of the club’s player roster.

The negativity has come as no surprise to ex-NRL enforcer Henderson, who spoke passionately about the club’s willingness to welcome new players.

“I’m sick of hearing this but I guess it’s the way it goes,” he said.

“The fact is we have just the four guys. Pack (Jermaine Packer) who was basically retired but I’d played with him as a junior so that’s how that came about. Clint (Clinton Green) was someone I played against as a kid, obviously Fitzy (Daniel Fitzhenry) – who made his decision – and Bowdo (Scott Bowden), who we were just lucky enough to get.

“We knew we needed two outside backs and two halves so that’s what we went after. We wanted experienced guys who would be here to teach our good young blokes.

“The club is in a strong position with the young guys we have, so we are working to retain them into the future.

“Ten years down the track and the club will have a very strong team.”

In a bid to silence the club’s outspoken critics, Henderson sought to highlight the depth of experience and knowledge that Temora will offer as the key factor in the club’s ability to attract fresh talent.

“Hayden was keen to come over and have a run with us.

He saw the opportunity to gain experience from playing with blokes like Fitzy, and I guess myself,” he said.

“He is coming off a serious injury, so it will be a couple of weeks before he can even run.

We we won’t see the best of Hayden before the back end of the year.

“Hayden is a great young kid though. He has ambitions to reach higher levels with his footy. He is still coming to training to do things like the rower, and the club is very fortunate that he wanted to come across. Hopefully he enjoys himself and wants to stay on.”

Jolliffe’s switch has come at a crucial time for both clubs, but Hall was determined not to let the young utility’s decision have a sustained impact or effect on the mentality and motivation of players.

“We have plenty of talent here to fill his spot,” Hall declared.