Former NRL star and Riverina coach Aaron Gorrell (right) will coach Wagga Brothers in 2024. Image – Wagga Brothers.
The Junee Diesels weren’t the only team to announce their coaches for 2024 when they unveiled head coach Daniel Foley and assistant coach Damian Willis earlier this month. Over in Wagga, the South City Bulls welcomed former City representative and accomplished player Cleveland McGhie to the fold as they look to build their way up the Group 9 ladder.
This news followed on the heels of Wagga Bothers installing Aaron Gorrell as their coach. An 84-game NRL and Super League veteran who played for the St George Illawarra Dragons, Catalans Dragons, and Brisbane Broncos between 2002 and 2009, Gorrell boasts a stellar country rugby league coaching record.
Most recently, he coached Group 9 and Riverina, and he will be given his toughest test to date when trying to help Brothers successfully return to the Group 9 First-Grade competition. The Young Cherrypickers were quick to announce their new coach, Tom Giles, who will take over the top job from Nick Cornish.
Giles made a mid-season switch from South Sydney to Young this year, and he made an immediate impression and was more than happy to take on the Cherrypickers top job. While Cornish and 2023 Weissel Medal winner Tom Demeio are leaving, Giles appointment as the coach has sparked a significant signing spree with the Tri-Colours. Former South Sydney lower grades player Lachlan Gale will link up with his former Australian Schoolboys teammate. Che Hyslop is another new face who will travel from Sydney to play for Young next year, and Devon Makoare-Boyce will also join him.
Former NRL star Justin Carney confirmed with the Junee Independent that he will keep the reigns at the Albury Thunder after initially signing on with the border club for a two-year deal with an option for a third leading into the 2023 season. Carney and the Thunder are actively recruiting more talent to the club, and in good news, they will have Lachie Munro, Sam Collins and Isaac Carpenter staying around, meaning the Thunder will have a solid base to build on.
Another former NRL star and long-serving Temora Dragons captain/coach, Josh McCrone, also confirmed with The Independent that he will lead the Dragons into 2024. The rising 37-year-old has been a stalwart of the side, and he is keen to deliver the town a drought-breaking premiership. The Dragons won’t see much player turnover, but with young talent coming through, McCrone expects the Dragons to feature strongly. Kangaroos will also have a familiar face in charge, with Nathan Rose heading into his second year of a two-year contract with the Wagga club in 2024.
The ‘Roos will be without Luke Ingram, who is set to head back to Bombala, but Zeik Foster returns to the fold. For the reigning premiers, Tumut will have at least one significant change, with Lachlan Bristow heading overseas. The 2019 and 2023 John Hill Medallist and 2022 Weissel Medallist has been Group 9’s best player for the best part of five years, but he won’t be around next year.
In good news for the club, Zac Masters, who was co-coach with Bristow in 2022, and is arguably the best forward in the competition, will stay on board as coach. He does look to be in for a tough campaign, with many premiership players on the move or retiring. Rounding out the Group 9 coaching carousel was the Gundagai Tigers, who reappointed Derek Hay and Blake Dunn earlier this week.
Gundagai, whom Derek Hay and Blake Dunn coached in 2023, had a disappointing year, with the 2022 premiers missing finals. The Tigers blooded a lot of young talent in 2023, but the pair are keen to bring more talent through the club as they look to fight their way back into the finals picture.
The Independent will keep readers updated on signing announcements and player movements during what has already proven to be a busy off-season. Group 9 AGM pushed back Group 9 will now host their AGM on Sunday, November 26. The AGM had to be pushed back a week after a clash was determined. It’s expected to be an important AGM, with current Chairman Andrew Hinchcliffe stepping aside from his role. At the same time, the Group 9 draw will be an interesting talking point due to the return of Wagga Brothers to First-Grade and the possibility of the Cootamundra Bulldogs returning to the competition in a larger capacity.