OSBORNE coach Matt Rava isn’t fazed by the recruiting of rival clubs as the Cats prepare their flag defence.
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While most of their major opponents have raided big-name players from neighbouring competitions, Rava plans to back in his star young guns in a bid to go back-to-back.
Osborne’s challenge will be made even tougher with talented forward George Alexander and veteran backman Andrew Clarke being ruled out for the season with knee injuries.
“We will pretty much go with the young blokes again,” Rava said.
“It’s the whole reason I took the role on.
“Osborne had all these kids coming through and we’ve been working on bringing them along.
“It’s been our main focus and we will keep going with that.”
Despite using only 26 of its allotted 38 points in last year’s grand final win over Jindera, Osborne has recruited only two players – Turvey Park ruckman/forward Kodie O'Malley and Eastlake midfielder Declan O'Rourke.
O’Rourke has also played for Northern Jets in recent seasons.
“Hopefully we have the spine pretty similar to last year,” Rava said.
“George will be missed but Kodie will go in there and hopefully we will get further development from the younger blokes.
“Andrew Clarke was a strange one with his knee as he actually did it in the grand final.
“He came back on and played after hurting it, but at work over the following few weeks it wasn’t feeling right so he checked it out and it was his ACL.”
Brock-Burrum and Jindera have been the biggest off-season movers.
The signings of Morris medallist Matt Seiter and former premiership players John-Roy Williams, Kylin Morey and Nick Brockley have the Saints poised to bounce back from a disappointing 2017.
Jindera has landed a massive off-season coup by signing Trent Castles while Albury ruckman Ben Dower is also being strongly linked to the club.
Culcairn, Henty and Rand-Walbundrie-Walla are also hopeful of building on last season after strong off-seasons.