Bulls lose Manuolevao

After first joining the Bulls for the 2014 season, the New Zealander, who was named Bill Castle Medallist in 2015, has moved to Canberra.

Tumut president Will Reynolds expects he will leave some large boots to fill.

“He got some offers in Canberra and ending up taking them,” Reynolds said.

“He was such a platform to work off for the last few years and it was something that we had never had in the club.”

The five-eighth has been a major force behind the Bulls upward spiral in Southern Inland competition during his three seasons with the club.

After making the finals in 2015, the Bulls were once again knocked out in straight sets during last year’s series.

Reynolds doesn’t expect too many more changes from last year’s team however there are doubts surrounding Chris Bolton.

The young Englishman made a big impact in a number of back line positions last season and Tumut is working to have him back for 2017.

“He’s in England at the moment, he went home,” Reynolds said.

“Fingers crossed there that he comes back.

“We are working on that so there is a chance he will be back with us.”

Tumut also have two new leaders at the helm.

Morgan Grivas and Brad Gorman will take over the coaching role from Dan Dowson.

Ending a run of Tumut have a playing coach, both are expecting to come in for non-playing capacities.

Front rower Grivas was in and out and the first grade team last season but has elected to take a step back from playing in the top grade.

“He said he could be a better coach on the sideline then as a player as you miss a lot of stuff while playing,” Reynolds said.

Dowson is expecting to remain with the Bulls in a playing capacity.

One of the major focuses through the off-season has been on the redevelopment of Jarrah Park.

After creating a better training field last season, around $150,000 has gone into creating a better main playing surface in time for round one.

“It was planted the other day and the water is doing its job at the moment,” Reynolds said.