Diesels need to splash the cash, says Junee star

GROUP NINEBy Stephanie Muirsmuir@dailyadvertiser.com.auPROLIFIC try-scoring machine Damien Willis believes Junee will need to open the cheque book before the 2010 Group Nine season gets under way.Willis is adamant Junee will need to target players outside the Riverina to bolster the Diesels' playing ranks."We will be aiming and trying to get a couple of boys from Sydney, and bring them down here," Willis said.The Diesels management face a tough task in the off-season, with Willis staunchly believing much rides on their recruiting success."We will need to recruit some new players," he said."Next year hopefully we will recruit cleverly and spend a bit of money."Junee has an aging senior squad, and an important factor will be to keep its talented emerging players and also recruit some established first graders.Junee is already in the confronting and daunting position of replacing former NRL star Adam Perry at the Diesels' helm.Perry has cast serious doubt over his captain-coaching role.Perry strongly indicated work commitments would force him to take on a non-coaching playing position at the club.Willis believes it will be vital to quickly fill the vacant coaching position, in the hope of luring fresh players to the Diesels."Our main focus will be getting a good coach in the place of Skip (Perry)," he said."A good coach will mean good players."Junee has been unable to replicate last year's success on the ladder.The Diesels finished third last season and qualified for the finals series.Junee is currently sitting eighth on the table, and face off with Cootamundra to determine who finishes in seventh spot.The Diesels experienced a disrupted season, and circumstances did not fall their way.The loss instrumental captain-coach Perry three months ago, to injury, put a major dampen on the Diesels chances of emulating their top three finish last year.