Shepparton Bulls kick off rugby season

The side that runs out on Saturday at 3pm at Maroondah Rugby Club will be different to the side that clinched last year’s title.

Injuries and retirements have impacted the Bulls’ preparation in 2019, with vice-captain Michael Siaosi breaking his leg a fortnight before the season. Scott Udall suffered the same injury at the end of 2018, while representing Victoria Country.

First-year coach Mark Stevens knows that his new side will take a while to build its connection with each other on the field; something that he thinks will develop as the season progresses.

‘‘We have around 10 to 12 blokes from a squad of 25 returning from last year, so almost half our side has left due to injuries and retirements, which is natural progression in a way,’’ Stevens said.

‘‘We have quite a young side, with potentially five debutantes this weekend against Maroondah, we’ll look to blood quite a few youngsters at the start of the year.

‘‘Everyone is excited for the weekend, to get out and start to gel with one another because at the end of the day, no matter how much training you do, you build as a team in the games that count.’’

Leading the Bulls out this year will be co-captains, Lee-Roy Huthmann-Grace and Luke Henderson. Stevens hopes this will bring a fresh outlook for the side.

‘‘These two guys were our obvious picks for captaincy and when they both couldn’t commit to the sole role they agreed to take it on together,’’ he said.

‘‘Lee-Roy has played over 100 games at the club and is a great thinker out on the field and thrives at full-back, which is an unusual position to have a captain play.

‘‘But that’s why it’s perfect having Luke in the role as well, he’s a great communicator on the field and plays at seventh or as a hooker.’’

The Bulls will be hosting a jumper presentation on Friday night at the Victoria Hotel from 6pm to coincide with the start of the season.