Albury Thunder coach Robbie Byatt chasing a big-name player

Byatt was appointed to the post this week after starting with the Thunder in 2018.

The club finished second last in 2021 with one of its youngest teams in years.

"We definitely want to have a big-name player in the side," Byatt offered.

"You want a halfback and we're looking for second-rowers as well."

In rugby league, the spine is considered crucial.

The spine covers four positions, fullback, five-eighth, halfback and hooker.

The half is the key playmaker and few sides can win a competition, at any level of the game, without a quality No. 7.

"We really need a dominant half, an experienced one to lead us around," Byatt's first-year assistant coach Jon Huggett suggested.

"We've lacked that the last couple of years."

But landing a halfback, or any recruit for that matter, with COVID protocols is testing many sporting clubs.

"With all the trouble travelling from state to state, it's going to make it challenging," Byatt admitted.

Unlike other NSW clubs, the Thunder didn't play any football in 2020 due to COVID travel restrictions to Wagga and the rest of the Group 9 catchment, while the club didn't complete last season.

"The last couple of years have been disruptive, we signed a very good side for 2020, but then didn't play and this year we were very young, so we need to try and get a couple of older heads on board to help our young blokes," Byatt declared.

Byatt is one of those experienced players as he enters into his second coaching stint following two years with his home club Tumbarumba.

"It's really exciting, Albury Thunder's a very well known and successful club, it's a big challenge to try and do well," he said.

Byatt has been the club's Mr Fixit in his time, playing much of his football at centre, although he's also been shifted into the halves as the club strived for that experienced campaigner, while he's also filled in at lock.

"My preferred position is centre, at the moment that's where I go, but it will depend on who we get and what we have," he revealed.

After missing out on any football last year and snaring just three three wins last season, the Thunder is determined to bounce back with the new coaching staff starting work immediately.

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"We've just got to kick on with a big recruitment drive," Huggett said.

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