Season Preview 2021: West Belconnen Warriors

The West Belconnen Warriors will be looking to their junior players this year as they get ready for the 2021 season.

West Belconnen have had an enjoyable pre-season so far, but have lost valuable experience with players moving to other clubs and retiring.

The club’s primary focus for this season has been bringing through some exciting local West Belconnen juniors and providing a chance for players who have been successful in the lower grades at the Warriors over the past three years.

First grade coach Matt Gaffa returns to the side and says that this year is going to be a learning experience for all.

“The season is going to be educational for a lot of players this year, which is exciting for the coaching staff as we are all looking forward to a successful year developing our juniors into first grade players,” said Gaffa.

Josh Ayers is a key player for the side, having moved across from the Queanbeyan Roos. The 35-year-old played in the Monaro Open Men’s rep side this year, taking out the Country Championships title a couple of weeks ago. He will bring plenty of experience to the forward pack.

A number of players in both First Grade and League Tag played for the Burrangong Bears last year, as the Warriors sat out the season due to COVID-19. Burrangong won the George Tooke Shield League Tag competition in 2020, so many of the Westies players will be looking to repeat that for West Belconnen this year.

 Hear from First Grade centre Ryley Thomas and League Tag player Sarah Carter as they discuss the 2021 season.

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