Dowson off to Tumut as new coach for Bulls

Dowson will replace Tim Graham at the Bulls’ top job following two seasons with the Blacks.

The representative forward was part of Griffith’s 2014 premiership, in his first season with the club.

It is the 27-year-old’s first coaching appointment and it is something he’s looking forward to.

“I’m super excited,” Dowson said. “I got offered a good opportunity up there.

“They approached me to coach and I turned it down at first but then I thought why not?

“It is a good stepping stone for me and will build a bit of character as a person.”

After Graham spent four years at the helm, Dowson is looking to impart his own twist at the club.

Bulls president Will Reynolds was thrilled to have a quality player like Dowson join the coaching ranks.

Dowson’s different rugby experience was the main thing that attracted the Bulls the most.

“He’s experienced, played in different leagues as a product of New Zealand and has seen different techniques used by coaches and playing style,” Reynolds said.

“He’s played at a higher level than most of us as well.”

Dowson will move to town for work in January and the tough second rower will be a big inclusion to the Bulls’ forward pack, which is already where the club’s strength lies.

Dowson’s workrate over the ball at the breakdown is one of his biggest assets but even he admits he’s had to adapt his style in the Riverina.

Finishing the regular season in third, the Bulls suffered consecutive losses in the finals series after narrowly going down to Waratahs in the minor semi-final.

TJ Sala will come on as an assistant coach.

Sala made a big impact when joining the Bulls midway through the season and Reynolds said his international experience, with the Kiwi centre also playing in Spain and France, will be a big boost to the back line.

“He's played in two professional leagues so has plenty of knowledge,” Reynolds said.

“We are looking to the next step again from where Tim has taken us.”

Dowson’s appointment completes the Southern Inland coaching puzzle for 2016.

He will be the only playing coach in the competition and joins new faces Nathan Honeyman (Wagga City) and Willie de Meyer (Griffith) as first year appointments.

Tumut will start their season with a trip to Murrayfield to take on premiers Albury on April 9 as the Steamers celebrate its 40^th anniversary.

Wagga City and Waratahs will clash at Conolly Rugby Complex while Griffith and CSU will play for the Ben Groat Memorial Cup at the Blacks new home ground Exies Oval.

To complete the new look competition, Ag College will host Leeton at Beres Ellwood Oval.