RIDING in the jet stream of some of the hottest properties in the Riverina, Temora captain-coach Michael Henderson feels the Dragons can take a shot at the Group Nine finals next year.
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Henderson yesterday declared teenage stars Hayden Philp, Liam Martin and Brady Oliver in particular have the bristling talent to inspire a rugby league revival in Temora.
"They're young and keen and have a great work rate and great work ethic," Henderson said yesterday.
"They can help push us old blokes along."
All members of the Temora team that lost the Weissel Cup (under 18) grand final to Brothers in September, Philp, Martin and Oliver will be given a chance to lock in permanent spots in first grade in 2015.
Philp is a raw-boned front rower, who was blooded in first grade this year, while Martin is a barnstorming back rower and Oliver a heady halfback.
Despite being tied to Penrith to play in the S G Ball competition in 2015, Martin will return to his hometown to lend a hand in lifting the Dragons up the table.
In a season of near-misses, Temora won five of 16 games this year, finishing ninth on the table.
Fresh from the debut season with the Dragons, Henderson is adamant the likes of Oliver, Martin and Philp are the long-term future of a proud rugby league stronghold.
"They can be part of this club for the next 10 or 12 years," Henderson said.
Relishing the full and committed support of the football community in Temora, Henderson believes there are already signs of a Dragons' resurgence in the new Group Nine premiership.
"We'll definitely be looking for improvement," the 29-year-old ex-NRL hard-man said.
"I'm confident we have the young talent and experience to improve."
Significantly, Temora has already pulled off a major recruitment coup by landing playmaker Clinton Green.
A schoolboy contemporary of Henderson, Green has a glowing reputation in Group 20, but is coming off a code-swapping campaign with Coleambally in the Farrer League.
Henderson is adamant Green is exactly the right player to give Temora direction and drive next year.
The Dragons coach, however, knows more "key position" players are needed, revealing the club is "actively sourcing" recruits.
"The club is obviously in a re-building phase," he said.
"Hopefully we can make some pretty good signings in the next month or so."
Henderson is thrilled to have the "town" behind his efforts to carry the Dragons towards the Group Nine finals.
"The support I've had, and my family have had, has been tremendous," he said.