After an improved campaign in 2024, the Junee Diesels have signalled their intention to move further up the Group Nine table next season following the announcement of several key signings for the 2025 campaign.
The Diesels have locked in Chase Bernard and Ben Shea as their First Grade coaches for the upcoming campaign, whilst also securing the signature of centre/second rower Jack Schubert from the Gundagai Tigers and several key re-signings including veterans Daniel Foley and Damian Willis who may have to shift up front unless he can continue to defy his age and keep the youngsters at bay.
Chase is pictured in action for the club while Ben is in a promotional shot.
Diesels President David Holt said that the signings of all these experienced campaigners, particularly their coaches in Bernard and Shea, has put the club in good stead ahead of what will be another competitive season in the Group Nine season.
“Chase came into the club mid-season this year and he was seriously like a breath of fresh air, straight away he had that respect and rapport from the younger players and you could see the players around him lift because of his attitude and the way he spoke to people,” he said.
“Ben was supposed to come out here as well, however, the French club that they are playing for in the French League, Albi Tigers, gave him an offer of coaching Under 18s through the off season over there that he obviously couldn’t refuse.
“He’s looking at coming back to Australia and backing off from footy a bit, so this was a good fit.
“His experience within rugby league is a valuable asset and he will be a great role model for these developing players and that’s probably our main focus is the players that are coming through now like the Junee players and getting the best out of them and getting them to be the best they can be and Ben fits that mould.”
With the pair of coaches expected to remain in France until the conclusion of the professional Super XIII competition in May, the Diesels will begin the year under a unique model, where the two coaches will implement and review the use of a game plan via online video, with Assistant Coach Damian Willis to
take charge of day-to-day operations through the first round of the competition.
“Damian will be implementing what Chase and Ben set out coaching wise from abroad as they are over in France and they have written the play book, sort of like the ‘Diesels Bible’ for the season, like training programs and play structures and all that type of thing,” Holt told the Independent.
“When we get into the season, because Ben and Chase won’t be here at the start of the season, they will be reviewing each game via Hudl and then adding to that and Damian will implement on their recommendations.”
As for the obvious concern that comes with that approach, Holt said that the club believes it has sufficient plans to navigate the difficult period first up without their star coaches, with the short
term pain part of a long-term plan for the club.
“We realise that we have at least eight rounds to get through at the start of the season without them being able to play, but there’s a number of things that we have recognised about the coaching side of things and player wise as well and we have planned around that,” Holt said.
“It’s a long term strategy that we’ve had since 2022 when things weren’t too good for the Diesels.
“We aimed at 2027 being the year to aim for and build towards that rather than trying to win a premiership from nothing.
“The backbone of that is the local players that are coming through the playing ranks and getting
good development there.”
Meanwhile, Holt also spoke of the club’s other big signing of Jack Schubert, with the Gundagai product expected to add further value and experience to a strengthening roster alongside another former Tiger in Willis and club stalwart Foley.
“Jack is a utility as we are a bit light on in our outside backs and whether he is second row or centre, and that’s where we are a little bit short in what we have got,” he said.
“Jack is a great bloke and he will bring a lot to the Club that’s for sure.
“Daniel Foley has re-signed and Damian Willis has re-signed as Assistant Coach.
“Daniel has been solid for the Club for a long time now, he has played a lot of games and we did recognise how many he had played this year in First Grade, he’s been around a while and brings that stability.
“Damian, whether he does or doesn’t pull the boots on, he keeps saying he’d like to back off and would like to concentrate on the coaching side of things, they add a lot to the Club because of their experience.
The Diesels have also secured their Reserve Grade coach for next year, with Jordan Walker filling the extremely important role as the club looks to develop a healthy number of young players coming through the junior stream into the Burmeister Shield.
“Jordy has a lot of experience and he is a great person on and off the field and he has a good deal of respect from those players that are coming through the ranks,” Holt said.
“His experience makes him a great leader out on the paddock and you can see the difference when he is and isn’t out there on the field.
“A lot of him rubs off on the players that are around him.”
-Tallon Smith
