Former Blues now both Roos

By Geoff Newling

Boggabri Kangaroos signed on two former Narrabri Blues at Thursday night’s training session at Jubilee Oval.

The Roos have enticed Narrabri stars Josh Trindall and Rob Doolan to play for the Roos in 2020.

They officially signed on at Thursday night’s training session, advised delighted Roos coach Shane Rampling.

“They have been to every one of our pre-season training sessions,” Shane Rampling said.

“I had a chat with Rob in the off season, we had a good talk and he was keen to come and play for us.

“He will give us some speed out wide and be a bit of an X factor.

“He can play centre or fullback but we will probably start him in the centres.”

After talking with Doolan, Rampling then received a call from Josh Trindall and they also had a good chat.

The upshot from that is Trindall will start at halfback for the Roos and fill what has been something of an achilles heel for the Roos.

“He’s a very good, organising halfback and that will enable Jayde (Campbell) to push out wider to five-eighth or the centres and takes the pressure off him,” Rampling said.

“Having Josh settled on his inside enables him to focus on his own game instead of chopping and changing.

“Josh has also taken control of the team at training they have been working very well.

“Josh gives us the direction we’ve been lacking. We haven’t had an out and out halfback since Kyle (Gallen) left three years ago.”

The Roos are now preparing for their first trial games against Coonabarabran (Saturday, February 29) and then Moree.

Both are home trials with the Jack Woolaston Nines also a big part of their preparations for the 2020 season.

Rampling said the club also hoped to make two more signings in March to add further punch and speed to their backline.