Queanbeyan Kangaroos' signing spreeTHEY may be the two-time defending premiers but the Queanbeyan Kangaroos aren’t resting on their laurels.
Having lost the services of star centre Travis Robinson and English forward George Griffin for next season, the reigning Canberra Raiders Cup title holders are in the middle of an ambitious 2012 recruitment drive.
With the start of pre-season training still three weeks away, the Kangaroos have already brought in eight new faces to bolster the side next year.
The additions come on the back of the club’s successful efforts to retain the bulk of its existing player list including the key re-signing of Gorrell as captain/coach.
Kangaroo club general manager Leigh Kiely said the first-grade team’s fairytale run to last season’s premiership had certainly helped encourage players to put pen to paper.
“Last year was a bit of a nightmare in terms of getting blokes signed up, this year has been much easier,” he said. “Most of the current boys signed up within a month of the grand final so it’s been really good.
“They were a pretty tight mob of blokes this year ... I think winning eight of their last nine games to make the grand final brought them a lot closer as mates.
“Having [Aaron] Gorrell around as well, he’s a real drawcard. Blokes want to play under him especially considering he’s won two competitions in his first two years of coaching.”
While Robinson and Griffin, along with retired winger Andrew Hunter, are substantial losses, the Kangaroos’ latest recruits are hardly lacking in quality.
Two of the club’s singings, Josh Toohey and Adam Pearce (Tumut Blues), were included in the 2011 Group 9 Team of the Year with Pearce also named Tumut’s player of the year.
Further additions include Canberra Raiders SG Ball (under-18s) player Luke Sutton, former Monaro under-18s representative Corey Thomas and fellow Cooma product Zach Smith.
Kiely also indicated the Kangaroos’ signing spree was far from over with the club still in talks with several players.
“It’s a pretty serious business these days, our sponsors want to see results,” he said.
“If we want to be a force in the competition for years to come so we have to be serious about putting together a strong squad.”
The Kangaroos have also re-signed two of the club’s most promising juniors, Rhys Elton and Jayden Baxter. The Queanbeyan Kangaroos will begin their 2012 pre-season on Wednesday, December 7.
Queanbeyan Kangaroos new signings so far for 2012: Glenn Baker (Queanbeyan Blues), Luke Sutton (Cowra), Brett Davis (Belconnen Magpies), Corey Thomas and Zach Smith (Cooma), Peter Roddy, Adam Pearce and Josh Toohey (Tumut).
Confirmed losses: Travis Robinson (Sydney), Andrew Hunter (retirement) and George Griffin (English Super League).
Source: The Queanbeyan Age
Topic: Queanbeyan Kangaroos go on a signing spree
