Kooringal Colts have bolstered their bowling stocks on the eve of the season.
The premiers have added West Wyalong paceman Callan Taylor to their arsenal.
The young quick was considering a move to Penrith but has decided to remain in the Riverina for at least another season.
Colts president Brenton Crawford was thrilled they’ve been able to secure the 18-year-old.
Taylor took five wickets against Wagga in the last O’Farrell Cup challenge of the season and the club were impressed by his efforts.
“We watched him in the O’Farrell Cup last year and decided we’d rather be playing with him than against him,” Crawford said.
“We've been talking with him since then and we want to bring players from outside the area to improve the local standard rather than stealing players from other clubs.”
Taylor will be a good partner for Luke Hillier.
The pair played representative cricket together growing up and are looking forward to bowling in tandem.
However Crawford doesn’t believe it will be a long-term move.
“He (Taylor) did go up and train with Penrith but has decided to improve his cricket here in Wagga first,” Crawford said.
“Hopefully we can use that as a springboard to bigger and better things. He does want to move to Sydney eventually.”
Wagga City will have a new look this season, with a team stacked with young talent when they take on the Colts on Saturday.
Captain-coach Jon Nicoll is trying to rebuild the team and faces a big test against the premiers.
“It’s a bit of a changing of the guard for us and it is going to be a bit of a hit or miss season in regards to trying to develop the next group,” Nicoll said.
“Guys like Dan Rafter, Mitch Cawley and Brad Yeomans are going to get lots of opportunities.
“We have to start a bit of a rebuild and young Max Harper will come into first grade now with his brother Jack.”
At 14, Harry Rosengren is another young gun set to make his first grade debut at McPherson Oval.
Following the move of Rob Nicoll to Lake Albert, just who is going to take the gloves for the Cats hasn’t been set in stone.
The skipper is expecting a number of changes throughout the season.
“Josh Thompson and Aaron Maxwell are going to share it,” Nicoll said.
"Maxy did it at the back end of last year and was alright and will do it again.”
After being knocked out in the preliminary final by the Colts, Nicoll predicts it will be a harder season for the club as their young guns find their feet in the top grade.
“I think our premiership window is probably closed and we will come back to the pack quite a bit,” he said
“It’s a new developing stage and we have to learn to become better.
“We had a good three to four year period there and with people moving away it makes things a bit harder.”
