THE Wagga Tigers are confident they will be well placed to compete for a third straight premiership after confirming they're on the verge of re-signing prime mover Brendan Myers and luring gun ruckman Tom Osmotherly back to the club on a multi-year deal.
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Three-time premiership winner Myers will return next season, while Osmotherly returns to the fold for the next three years after being forced to miss this season through COVID regulations due to his work commitments in Victoria.
Midfielder Myers won the Tigers' best and fairest award in their 2016 premiership year, and was judged best on ground in their 2018 grand final victory.
He will also take on an assistant coach role for the second straight season as the Tigers enter a new era under incoming coach Murray Stephenson.
"After two premierships in a row now it's probably a bit hard to leave," Myers said.
"We've obviously signed a new coach and most of the guys will be back, it should be exciting.
"I was a bit of a on field coach this year I suppose, telling the young blokes what to do and making some adjustments during games."
Myers said he was encouraged by his initial impressions of former Coolamon premiership winner Stephenson, who is returning home after seven SANFL seasons with Central Districts.
"He gave me a call the other day and we had a chat about a few things we want to get out of next year. He seems like a good bloke and is switched on," Myers said.
"Just talking to him he seems on the ball and has our pre-season planned out. It'll be exciting for us and I'm keen to see what he can do."
Stephenson said he's looking forward to getting his feet under the desk, learning more about the playing group and assessing a game plan going forward.
"We're going to lose a few guys who will go back to Albury as the RFL was a bit of a destination league this year, but every other club that took part this year will be in the same boat," he said.
"The last couple of weeks I've been touching base with most of the players and having a chat to them about what pre-season may look like, to get some feedback from them on this year and what they're looking to get out of next year.
"You want guys to bring their weapons to the squad, and encourage them to do what they're good at.
"Pre-season will be about identifying a side that's going to be strong, and have plenty of different looks going forward."
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