GROUP NINE
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TUMBARUMBA coach Simon Vanzanten yesterday backhanded suggestions the Greens won't live up to the hype once the Group Nine season kicks off in April.
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Gun signings and a rejuvenated outlook has the Greens doused in expectation for the season ahead, however, an uninspiring effort at the West Wyalong Knockout has taken off the tarnish.
The Greens were originally tipped to give the famous pre-season competition a shake-up before being bunked out of the first round in a 26-6 drubbing at the hands of Cowra at Ron Crowe Oval.
Despite the early exit, Vanzanten said the first hit-out of the season is no indication of what to expect from the Greens this year.
"Not at all, I was trialling people in different spots and we didn't have a full team," he told The Daily Advertiser yesterday.
"I was a little bit disappointed but I thought our first half was really good.
"We went in there not expecting too much because we didn't have our Fijians and Aaron Sweeney, we had a really young backline that was pretty inexperienced.
"Two of our quality backs, including Luke Smith, got hurt just before the end of the second half and it all went downhill.
"We were leading 6-0 and once they got hurt we struggled."
The anticipated debut of former QRL sensation Sweeney was delayed on Saturday, with the prop still carrying NSW Cup disqualification points from Western Suburbs Magpies.
Sweeney's absence was notable on the field, but Vanzanten yesterday rubbished rumours that his prize recruit is yet to arrive in the hills.
"Aaron Sweeney has been in Tumbarumba since the first week of January, he helped us out on the bench (at West Wyalong)," he said.
"The only reason he didn't play was because he had carry over points, but he'll get to play Darlington Point in our second game in the pre-season competition.
"As far as the Fijians go, their visas have been approved on the Australian side, hopefully they'll be here sooner rather than later.
"Of course we'd want them to play trials but if they're not here until round one that's fine."
The Greens will rally for the Group Nine and Group 20 pre-season competition and are scheduled to play Griffith at EW Moore Oval in round one on March 23.