ALBURY Thunder coach Ben Jeffery has put a five-eighth at the top of his recruiting list.
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With Willie Heta’s creativity being sorely missed this year, Jeffery said the Group 9 club would be wasting no time chasing a playmaker.
“We need another player in the halves to help out Breusty (Cameron Breust),” Jeffery said.
“Andrew Smith did a really good job there this year but it’s not his preferred position.
“He’s a lock or hooker.
“We are definitely chasing a five-eighth.”
Smith and Jeffery played mainly at five-eighth this season before Jeffery returned to fullback and helped Thunder mount a late charge to the finals.
They were edged out for fifth spot by Young after the Cherrypickers scored a shock win over Junee at the weekend.
The Diesels have refuted suggestions they tanked.
Jeffery is confident Thunder will rebound strongly next year.
“I think everyone is keen to stay on,” he said.
“We aren’t far off.
“A five-eighth and another good forward with an off-load to get us second phase is about all we will look at in regards to recruiting.
“I’ll sit down with Rick (O’Connell) soon and look at options.”
Jeffery expects minor premier Gundagai to snap its premiership drought and take out this season’s flag.
”They are by far the best team we have played,” he said.
“I think Gundagai will be hard to beat.
“They are tough, well structured and big across the park.
“I was impressed by them on Sunday.”
Gundagai has lost nine grand finals since winning its last first grade premiership in 1983.
In this weekend’s finals, Kangaroos play Young at Wagga’s Equex Centre on Saturday and Junee take on Southcity at Laurie Daly Oval on Sunday.
Bulls’ coach Nick Skinner remains in doubt for the clash with an ankle injury.
“I definitely don’t want to miss it, and I’ll be doing everything possible to play,” Skinner said.
“The physio is helping and hopefully I’ll be right.
“It’s not too bad and I’ve got five days to get there.”
Fresh from a 42-12 loss to Young last Sunday, Junee will have important personnel back for the weekend, with prop Patrick Sagigi, second rower Clifford Morris, centre Brad McCarthy and halfback Cameron Hands set to return.
Albury Thunder will field reserve grade, League Tag and under-16 teams in this weekend’s finals.
