The 2021 season certainly threw up some new challenges across Group Nine.
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As part of a new series, The Daily Advertiser speaks to each of the clubs on what was, what could have been and what the future holds.
First up is minor premiers Tumut who were thwarted on their attempt to celebrate their 100th season with a premiership.
Co-coaches Lachlan Bristow and Zac Masters will be back at the helm again in 2022 as they look to return to the top after playing big roles in their 2019 grand final victory.
CR: What was the highlight of the season?
LB: Beating Gundagai three times
ZM: Yeah I'd have to say winning those Maher Cup games. It was pretty cool to bring that home for all the old fellas by beating Gundagai twice and then a third time later on.
CR: If that was the highlight, what was the biggest disappointment?
LB: Obviously it was the season ending when COVID hit and not getting to finish the job. It was very disappointing.
CR: Who was the best opposition player you faced this year?
ZM: It would have to be Nathan Rose. He scored four tries against us in the first game we played them over there.
LB: And took a lucky intercept down (off Bristow).
ZM: He scored another down here and is just a very skillful player. Unfortunately he's playing for Gundagai next year, which is bad luck for him.
CR: Who impressed you the most in your club?
LB: Personally for me it was Ronny (Leapai). I hadn't seen him play before but Zac had big raps on him before he came here and he blew us away with how good he was. He was very impressive.
ZM: I knew Ronny beforehand and knew he would bring a fair bit of talent so I'll go with Tommy Hickson. He hadn't played any first grade before but we saw him playing down here in the Pub Nines competition. He said he was keen to come down and ended up having a great year. He was one of our top tryscorers.
LB: I've got someone else too - Mitch Ivill. I hadn't played with him before but for him to come and take that fullback role on and do what he did with it was pretty good. He's electric and has been a great addition for us.
CR: What's the best thing about coaching the Blues?
ZM: For me it's growing up and seeing the success that they had and now trying to be the leader at the helm of creating more success. Both now and in the future. We've got such a good crop of young ones coming through so we want to try to build that for years to come to make sure they have success for a long period.
LB: I too grew up looking up to the leaders of the club, idolising them and you have the realisation we're now doing what they were doing.
CR: What is the biggest challenge for next year?
LB: At the moment it's keeping the squad together. That's our biggest challenge at the moment and we haven't really looked too far ahead.
ZM: The challenge is getting the squad back together after the disappointing end to the year, not being to finish. I thought he had a real good chance of winning another title this year and it obviously didn't end the way we would have liked so one of the challenges will be getting the squad keen again to go for another title to make up for last year.
LB: We have to be able to replicate this year as we transition into next year. That's a challenge in itself.
CR: Who is a player to watch for next year?
LB: Probably Brayden Draber as I think he got a lot more confident this year and he's only going to be another year older and wiser. He's already a really good player but I think he is going to turn into a more furnished player. I think he's 24 next year but has been an established first grader for a while now. It's his chance to really put his mark on the competition and cement himself as one of the best centres running around.
CR: What is the most important thing you think Group Nine needs to do in the next few years?
ZM: For me I would say we don't want it to change too much and we don't want to go away from what we've been doing or complicate things too much. I think our normal home and away season would be a good season as it's a fair playing field then.
LB: What I'm going to say is probably the opposite but to be open to ideas and listen to the players on what they want.