Former leading goalkicker, Luke Webb, is open to playing in the backline this season if that’s where The Rock-Yerong Creek coach Tom Yates wants him.
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Webb has returned to the Farrer League club after three seasons away, coaching Cootamundra in 2014 and then in Cairns.
His return to the Magpies is a late bonus, with Webb intending to be in Victoria until a move to Ballarat last month didn’t work out.
“It’s like coming home again, to be honest,” Webb said.
“It’s a pretty good feeling out there (at TRYC), it always has been and it looks like they’ve got a few handy recruits, so it should be a pretty good season.”
The Magpies had already been active in the off-season, signing Hume League brothers Derek and Matt Murray, Lachie Hunter and Tim Sullivan from the Riverina League and bringing Fergus Inglis and Sam Durnan back from Geelong.
“I have seen Ferg, there’s two of them that came from Winchelsea and they look really handy,” Webb said.
“The Murray boys were there last week, they’re good and the Narrandera guys, Lachie Hunter and Tim Sullivan too. So we should have a bit of height and a bit of speed.”
TRYC’s departures have included their key forwards Mitch Ward and Andy Carey.
Webb kicked 60 goals for the Pies in his last season at the club, topping the league’s leading goalkickers in 2013.
I'm happy to play wherever for the good of the team.
- Luke Webb, TRYC recruit
But new coach Yates is keeping an open mind as to where to Webb might be best suited and the 29-year old is happy to slot in at either end of the ground.
“I heard there might have been a few disappointed blokes when I turned up cause they were hoping to play full-forward,” Webb said with a laugh of the list of players hoping to take Carey’s role.
“They’re big shoes to fill. If I go there, that’s great, but if I play in the backline that’s fine, I’ve played there before too. I’m happy to play wherever for the good of the team.”
Webb flirted with a return last year, getting a clearance during the season to join the Pies in the hope he might be able to play a handful of games.
The Magpies have a pre-season hit-out against Culcairn booked in for March 18 and will kick-off the year at home to the Northern Jets on April 8.
“I think the boys will be keen to a get a win against them after that preliminary final (loss),” Webb said. “I’m sure it still hurts but you’ve got to look forward.”
Webb expects an even competition again but is predicting Marrar to be the big improvers.
In other Farrer League news, North Wagga have lost Brad McKinnon, who has joined the Young Saints.