The NNSW NPL season starts next Friday night and we are taking a detailed look at each of the 10 clubs in the lead-up.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Lake Macquarie are rebuilding under new coach Josh Rufo after Nick Webb stepped aside late last season as the Roosters just avoided the wooden spoon in a disappointing campaign.
Lake Macquarie
Coach: Josh Rufo
Last year: 9th (12 points, -31 goals)
Arrivals: Chris Berlin (Adamstown), Cal Lewis, Kaman Bol, Tryrell Paulson (Charlestown), Sean Matthews, Cameron Tapp, Reece Newton (Belswans), Iman Akram (Ghana), Tim Davies.
Departures: Sam Walker, Tom Walker (Broadmeadow), Mitch Hunter (Edgeworth), Cal Bower (Charlestown), Daniel Minors, Harry Lane, Kye Abrahams (Valentine), Jayden Barber (Jaffas), Cameron Holzheimer, Charles Cox, Sam Webb, Zane Winsdale
First month: Adamstown (A), Jaffas (H), Maitland (H), Charlestown (H).
Q&A - coach Josh Rufo
Given where the team is coming from, what are your expectations and goals for the season?
We've set some very clear goals within the playing group. I won't go into it too much, but the aim is to win every game. Some might think that's unrealistic, but our thoughts are pretty clear. We want to play to win, we want to be competitive in everything we do. Those are the week-to-week goals of winning, being competitive. Those are the short-term goals. I have some other clear objectives set for the team but I won't jinx those by saying them out loud.
You have had to rebuild the squad, but have you focused on any particular area when recruiting?
We had a look at the team and identified that we probably needed to add some experience, which is what we've done. Then we looked at the current group, and we've got some big, fit, strong boys, and we've just added to that. I think we've put together a shape, style and principles of play that are going to suit our players, and I think you are going to see an aggressive style of football, and hopefully we get some success from it.
What's been the biggest challenge for you this pre-season coming up from second division?
It's just a new club, new players, new ideas. My brother and I have got some very clear ideas on how we want to play and how we think it's going to work. So it's been about getting all the players on the same page and getting them to buy into what we are selling. I think each week it's getting closer to what we want it to look like, and that's been the biggest challenge. You come in new, you don't know people, so it's about getting those relationships with the players and then getting them to understand what you want and to put it into practice.
How have you rated the team's pre-season?
I think everyone looks good in pre-season, if you ask them, but I've been reasonably happy with the work-rate and the attitude of the players. I think the players would say it's been one of the hardest pre-seasons they have ever done. Hopefully we can take that into round one and every game after that.
Is there someone in pre-season who stands out as a player to watch this year?
Reece Newton I think is going to be very good for us and Cal Lewis has been really good in pre-season as well.
SUMMARY
Lake Macquarie finished on a creditable 20 points in 2018 with league player of the year and top-scorer Sam Walker leading the way.
The promising campaign and off-season signings pointed to an even better year in 2019, but the Roosters were poor.
As well as Webb going, Walker and several other senior players have left, giving Rufo little foundation to build from in his first NPL season.
Rufo has brought in several players he has worked with, especially from Charlestown and second-division Belmont Swansea.
Chris Berlin and 45-year-old Sean Matthews give Rufo much-needed experience, but given the results last season and losses in personnel, the Roosters look set for a tough campaign near the bottom again.