Ben Jeffery has been installed as the man to make Kangaroos a Group Nine force again
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In the biggest move of the off-season, Jeffery has left Albury to be captain-coach at the Wagga club.
A desire to continuing his coaching career has seen the former NRL player switch allegiances after five seasons on the border.
Jeffery played a key role in three Thunder premierships from 2012 and 2014, before coaching the club for the past two seasons.
Albury still wanted Jeffery to stay on as a player when they decided to go in another direction and bring in Tuki Jackson as captain-coach, but his desire to coach was too strong.
While grateful for the opportunity at Albury, the 29-year-old believes he still has plenty to offer in the coaching ranks.
He believes the Kangaroos will be a good fit.
“I still like to coach and I still think I have something to offer,” Jeffery said.
“I had only coached for two years and only think it is going to improve.”
Jeffery has his work cut out for him after Kangaroos narrowly avoided the wooden spoon last season.
However, he believes there is plenty of potential at the club who made the finals two seasons ago.
One aspect he is looking to improve is fitness.
Jeffery is expected to move to Wagga in the next fortnight and is hoping to have four or five weeks worth of training before Christmas.
“In Group Nine the fitter teams always go well so there will definitely be a bit of a bash up for Christmas,” he said.
“Hopefully we can get a good, hard working playing group that will put some k’s in the pre-season and get a bit of improvement out of them.”
New president Terry Cronin was excited by the quality Jeffery brings to the club.
“He is just a great guy and very professional,” Cronin said.
With a coach now locked in, Kangaroos are looking to build on its playing list.
The halves is one area they are looking to strength after the departure of former captain-coach Adam Hall.