Wellington Cowboys' marquee men will be unveiled this weekend and while the new-look squad will be loaded with talent, 2019 is about much more bringing a Group 11 title back to Kennard Park.
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The Cowboys are expected to have eight of nine new signings in action in Saturday's trial clash with the Oberon Tigers, and more signings could arrive before the Group 11 season proper kicks off on April 28.
Travis Waddell, a player who spent eight years in the NRL, headlines the group which also includes another former NRL player in Steve Gordon, former Brisbane Broncos under 20s player Tristan Lumley and the experienced Dave Dryden, a regular in the Newcastle competition for a number of years.
The huge recruitment drive, which was been kept well under wraps for most of the off-season, has many fans and pundits tipping the Cowboys to end their 26-year premiership drought this season.
That's the obvious goal for Cowboys co-coaches Justin Toomey-White and Aidan Ryan, but the latter said the current squad is putting in a place a system the club can use to thrive for years to come.
"This isn't just a plan for a couple of years, it's a lifetime plan," Ryan said.
"We've got to build these relationships with players and build a foundation with mateship.
"Our goal for the regular season is top two and once the semis begin we can work from there."
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Waddell is the biggest name of the new signings and is already having an immense impact on the club.
The former Canberra, Newcastle, and Brisbane representative has been at training for more than a month already after making the switch from Queensland Intrust Super Cup side, Souths Logan.
The hooker who played 78 NRL games has already inspired everyone from local juniors through to the two first grade coaches.
"He's got a lot of knowledge," Ryan said.
"He's really keen to teach the young fellas ... and he's been showing our forwards how to really go forward.
"He's teaching 'Justo' and myself a lot as well. He's basically become one of the coaches already, that's how instrumental he is.
"But that's why we brought these guys in. We want them to help build the club up and teach or young local fellas."
As well as Waddell, Lumley, and former Newcastle-based duo Gordon and Dryden, the club has also secured the signings of former Westside hooker Darrell Kemp, Macquarie duo Jade Hooper and Wade Peachey, as well as Jack Kempston from Dubbo CYMS, and Mason Williams.
Former Cowboys Lewis Stanley and Norm West, who have spent time away from the side and the game in recent times, are also back in the fold.
A lot of the signings which arrived also have ties to the Yowies Indigenous knockout squad, one that has also toured overseas in the past.
"A lot of those fellas have ties to Wellington, as well, so that's good," Ryan said.
Despite the excitement created by the signings, the side has suffered a major blow just recently with key half and leader AJ Davis confirming he is leaving Wellington due to an employment opportunity closer to Sydney.
Davis follows Will Lousick (Redcliffe), Brock Naden (Penrith), and Richard Peckham (Oberon) out the door this season while Toomey-White is considered almost certain to not feature on the field in 2019 as he continues his battle with bowel cancer.
Despite there being plenty of changes at the club already, more major signings could still be on the way.
Parkes Spacemen legend Dennis Moran has been rumoured to make a stunning shift to the Cowboys but Ryan confirmed there is nothing official there at this time while experienced Rose brothers Matt and Trent have also been linked with a move to Kennard Park.
Regardless of if that trio signs on the dotted line or not, the Cowboys will certainly have the kind of depth which was lacking at key times last year.
We want them to help build the club up and teach or young local fellas.
- Cowboys co-coach Aidan Ryan on new signings
"In our two big semi-finals, against CYMS and Forbes, we had six players back up (from reserve grade) each time," Ryan said.
"That always makes it tough and it's something that myself, 'Justo', (Cowboys president) Darren (Ah-See) and reggies coach Chris (Ah-See) have spoken about.
"We said we needed a fresh 17 for each game to win the competition and everyone was happy with that."
Ryan added he expects a huge crowd on hand for this Saturday's trial clash with Oberon at the revamped Kennard Park.
A combined juniors and reserve grade game will kick things off at 12.45pm, with the main first grade game to follow that.
The Tigers will be led by new captain-coach and former NRL player Josh Starling while the side will also feature former Wellington favourite Peckham and Forbes Magpies grand final hero, Farren Lamb.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
