There might be some unrest regarding the proposed Group 9 draw with other clubs, but as far as the Tumut Blues are concerned, they couldn’t be happier.
The club opens their account with a grand final rematch that will double as the Maher Cup at home against Gundagai on April 10, while 11 of their 16 games will be played on a Saturday.
“We are happy to go with the flow, we got what we asked for with more Saturday games and Group 9 have looked after us and our requests,” said Blues President, Bryan Black.
“We’ve got 11 Saturday games, six home and five away.”
Black said the Tumut playing group pushed for Saturday games before explaining why it suited a strong local group that is peppered with Canberra talent.
“That’s what the boy’s asked for, that’s what they wanted,” Black said.
“It gives them that day of recovery for work and with the (Tumut) Golf Club jumping on as a sponsor with Club Tumut, we might do recovery days there on a Sunday by playing some golf, having a feed and watching the footy.”
Black was adamant that the re-sighing of marquee Canberra-based and Riverina Bulls players Jed Pearce and Tolo Aroha-Tuinauvai and the late pick-up of Ron Leapai were only made possible due to the increase in Saturday fixtures.
“I definitely think it helped in keeping those Canberra boys,” Black said.
“To play Sunday, they would have to travel on a Friday to train, then either stay here on a Saturday or drive back, then come back on Sunday to play, only to drive home again.
“Saturdays help us a lot, they can come train, play and go home and still have that day to recover, or stay the night and still get time to recover.”
The only major issue is the unavoidable clash with Tumut Minor League and their Saturday schedule, but Black hoped there would be ample support for the Blues when in action at Twickenham on a Saturday.
“We are hoping we get good support; we also know that Minor League will be off doing their own thing on a Saturday, which will cut our numbers,” Black said.
“We hope that people will stick around and come watch us when they are done.”
After a slow start on the recruitment front, the Blues are building as competition heavyweights and Black couldn’t hide his excitement.
“It’s going to be a big year for us, we have a great draw, and that’s what we wanted and that’s what we got,” Black said.
“The boys have done a great job finding the right players; as President, I can say I’ve sat back and watched them do a great job negotiating with players – all I have had to do is sign the cheques.”
Blues 2021 Group 9 draw
Round 1: April 10 (Sat) v Gundagai (H)
Round 2: April 17 (Sat) v Kangaroos (A)
Round 3: April 24 (Sat) v Junee (H)
Round 4: May 2 (Sun) v Young (A)
May 8/9 – General bye weekend
Round 5: May 15/16 – Competition bye
Round 6: May 23 (Sun) v Southcity (A)
Round 7: May 29 (Sat) v Albury (H)
Round 8: June 5 (Sat) v Temora (A)
June 12/13 – General Bye weekend
Round 9: June 19 (Sat) v Brothers (H)
Round 10: June 26 (Sat) v Gundagai (A)
Round 11: July 3 (Sat) v Kangaroos (H)
Round 12: July 11 (Sun) v Junee (A)
July 17/18 – Split round bye
Round 13: July 24 (Sat) v Young (H)
Round 14: July 31 – Competition bye
Round 15: August 8 (Sun) v Southcity (H)
Round 16: August 14 (Sat) v Albury (A)
Round 17: August 22 (Sun) v Temora (H)
Round 18: August 28 (Sat) v Brothers (A)
Group 9 Finals
Finals week 1: September 4/5
Finals week 2: September 11/12
Finals week 3: September 19
Grand final: September 26
