We would have liked to have a few more show interest in playing footy at that level.
- Terry Burgess
COROWA-Rutherglen coach Terry Burgess says he’s satisfied with the club’s playing numbers as it heads into the Christmas break.
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While the Roos have lost several top-liners in the off-season, Burgess is hopeful momentum will build in the New Year.
“We probably would have liked to have a few more show interest in playing footy at that level,” Burgess said.
“Because you’re dealing with farming-based people they are tied up in cropping, we don’t see them that much at this time of year.
“There’s a great opportunity for players after Christmas who want to have a go at O and M footy in that area to come on board and join the rest of the young boys.”
The Roos have been pre-season training for over a month, averaging just under 30 players a session.
Pre-season training will re-commence in early January, before practice games against Wodonga in February and Myrtleford in March.
Burgess said he hoped to add several recruits to the list before the club’s round one match against North Albury at the John Foord Oval on Easter Saturday.
“We’d like to recruit four or five mature players after Christmas, just to balance out the group and support the kids,” the 1983 Morris medallist said.
“At the end of the day if we don’t get them, we don’t get them.
“It will just be another group of kids who get senior footy under their belt.
“We just want a sustainable model going forward.”
While playing numbers at reserve level remain an issue, Burgess remains confident all three football grades will be filled in 2016.
“We’re looking at a model where the under-18s have to support that (reserves) system and the under-16s have to support them,” he said.
The Roos will hold a Christmas break-up on Monday night at Rowers Park.
