TAKING aim squarely at the critics, defiant Cootamundra captain-coach Simon Vanzanten says the Bulldogs are far from being a rugby league basket case.
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Only days after enduring “one if the worst defeats” of his lengthy career, Vanzanten has declared Cootamundra is a club with untapped potential.
“I can see Cootamundra as the Southcity of four or five years ago,” Vanzanten said.
“There’s so much young talent coming through and they’ll be around for a long time to come.
“I’m sure we can build a winning culture like there is at Southcity and Gundagai.”
With Cootamundra coming off a horror 84-10 loss to Gundagai last Sunday, Vanzanten’s forceful comments are certain to strike a resonant chord across Group Nine.
A decade ago, Southcity endured a tough initiation into the Group Nine competition, but has now grown into an absolute powerhouse.
In the wake of the 16-try hiding from the Tigers, the Bulldogs have been thrust into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Vanzanten, however, is adamant there is no concern about the “long term” viability of the club.
“The drama we had (on Sunday) was lack of numbers because of injuries and suspensions,” he said.
“We had 11 blokes back up (from reserve grade) in first grade.
“I really think it’s pretty phenomenal how the players have stood up.”
Rather than turn the heat on clubs, particularly those without Sullivan Cup and Weissel Cup teams this year, Vanzanten refuses to engage in recriminations.
“I’m not going to talk about other clubs,” he said.
“We all know how things go in cycles.”
Reflecting on Sunday’s heavy loss, Vanzanten said the “flood gates opened” as the pressure of playing two games took its toll on the team.
And heading into another test of character against Southcity at Harris Park on Sunday, Vanzanten knows the situation will be just as daunting.
In a bid to ease the burden on the ravaged pool of players, the Bulldogs will make the tough decision to forfeit either the under-18 Weissel Cup or reserve grade game on Sunday.
“We’ve got to make that call,” he said.
“It’s not something we want to do, but it’s necessary.”
Despite losing a grade, the Bulldogs depth will still be tested to the limit.
“We’ll have a few players back on Sunday, but we also got a few more injuries (on Sunday),” he said.
“I’m actually injured myself and there’s no guarantee I’ll be there.”
Three weeks out from the end of the premiership rounds, Vanzanten has definitely not lost his desire to stay on as coach in 2017.
Amid the rubble of the current season, Vanzanten said he was ready to “take on the job”.
“Hopefully it can all be sorted by October so we can have a proper off-season,” he said