The Rock-Yerong Creek couldn't be happier with their Canberra recruits after five weeks of football and star forward Dean Biermann says the feeling's mutual.
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As the 'Pies prepare to take on Charles Sturt University in a top-five showdown on Saturday (they're both among five clubs with just one loss so far), Biermann is rapt in his introduction to the Farrer League.
"I'm loving it," Biermann said.
"It's real competitive. I was getting a bit bored of the Canberra comp, there's only really four good teams and you're playing them over and over again.
"Here, it's really even, everyone in the top four has beaten each other so it's going to be a real interesting year."
The Magpies beat East Wagga-Kooringal in round one, who then beat North Wagga, who have since beaten Marrar, who themselves belted The Rock-Yerong Creek two weeks ago.
"It was a bit of a wake-up call. I think we started to get a little bit ahead of ourselves after we had a few wins," Biermann said.
"I don't think too many people expected us to go as well in the first two games, knocking off the two top-ranked teams (beating Coleambally as well as EWK).
"So I think we needed that loss against Marrar to tell us we're not as good as we think we are."
Big wins against Barellan and the Northern Jets followed. Biermann's confident there's more improvement in the TRYC and says it will be needed against the Bushpigs and then North Wagga.
Biermann is swapping into the midfield regularly from centre-half-forward, where a strong pair of hands and willingness to work hard has seen him kick 16 goals in five games, including six last weekend against the Northern Jets.
It makes for a three-pronged attack with fellow Canberra-based forward Joey Kerin (17 goals) and Shannon Williams coming out of the goalsquare.
"I like working up the field and getting a lot of touches outside 50, but sometimes going deep and kicking a few goals. But I love it in the midfield too, it keeps you in the game," he said.
The accomplished Riley Budd has also found a home away from the midfield, setting them up at centre-half-backwhere he also did a superb job closing down Matt Wallis last week.
"He's enormous. I think he came to play a midfield role but defence is his natural role, that's where he played at Canberra Demons, across half-back. He's just a big body and he denies their forward entry," he said.
With games so far at Ariah Park and Gumly Oval, as well as The Rock, Biermann's enjoying the introduction to country football and has stayed overnight after games for the first month.
"I'm loving it off the field as well, getting around the boys. It's a great club, a great team to be a part of," he said.
"You get a few extra people coming to the games than you would in Canberra. You're playing in front of good crowds and it's a lot more exciting playing against more teams too."
TRYC co-coach Heath Russell said the Pies are rapt in what Budd, Biermann, Kerin and midfielder Joe Hancock have offered.
"All four of them, collectively, they're quality footballers, quality people. And they don't necessarily have to be the best players every week. It's more what they give the other boys," Russell said.
"It's like they've given the club a bit of belief. It's handy that they can play, and they do some good things.
"Dean in particular, his hands - he nearly pops the footy he grabs it that hard. And his work-rate's enormous."
Russell was also rapt in Hancock's presence in the middle last week as he settles into the side.
The 'Pies will welcome the return of captain Mitch Stephenson this week after he was unavailable against the Jets.
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