His knowledge of rugby league in Junee may only extend to Laurie Daley and Ray Warren, but incoming captain-coach Dane Nielsen is excited for what lies ahead.
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The former Queensland State Of Origin player will arrive in town next week looking to hit the ground running.
With only a month until the Junee Knockout, the 32-year-old wants to make a quick impact to build a new club culture.
“Once I’m down and get to know everyone at the club I want to have a really strong culture,” Nielsen said.
“I want base everything around working hard for each other.
“It is not about me or any one individual, but us as a club and a team.”
Originally looking to come to the club only as a player, Nielsen is excited to join the coaching ranks for the first time.
He’s had plenty of experience coaching during his 10-year career in the NRL and is looking to impart some of the wisdom on the Diesels and build the club but up after they struggled last season.
“It is exciting to be a player there, but as a coach I would like to pass on some knowledge I have been fortunate enough to learn from some great coaches and some great players as well,” he said.
“I am really looking forward to that part.”
Craig Bellamy is one who Nielsen is looking to model from.
“The things that I have learned will stick with me for a long time,” he said.
“I would like to be able to pass that on and help young guys in Junee.
“Whether it is just playing in that comp, or if they want to go further, I want to pass on that knowledge and they can hopefully be the best players they can be.”
Junee has been busy in the off-season securing front rowers Isaac Maliota and Pene Tamate as well as Tui Samoa from Young to play alongside Nielsen.
While looking to slot into the centres, Nielsen will take stock of the Diesels playing ranks before deciding on what is the best fit.
“Obviously I can’t make any of those decisions yet as I’m not even there yet,” he said.
“It is something I am looking forward to working with the guys closely and getting to know everyone and what everyone’s strengths and weaknesses are.”
As for the pressure of trying to help the Diesels to their first premiership since 1986.
While Nielsen is prepared for the expectations, but it isn’t what he wants to focus on.
“If I get everyone on the same page, all working hard for each other with a good attitude towards training and playing, and the off field stuff as well, then I think we can be really competitive in the Group Nine comp,” he said.