SA rugby league season to kick off this Sunday

CENTRAL Districts will pin its hopes of a fourth-straight SA rugby league premiership on youth after an off-season of change at Elizabeth Downs.

CENTRAL Districts will pin its hopes of a fourth-straight SA rugby league premiership on youth after an off-season of change at Elizabeth Downs.

The Roosters lost experienced campaigners Alex O’Houloghan and Mark Jury after the pair returned to NSW.

Exciting utility Matt Nugent and second-rower Cecil Buskin head a crop of hungry youngsters promoted from the club’s reserves ahead of this Sunday’s season-opener.

Captain Ben Tomlinson says integrating the new faces into his side’s game plan will be key.

“Four premierships in a row is a big challenge, but with all these young blokes coming through it’s a really exciting time,” Tomlinson, 24, says.

“Once the season kicks off they’ll get a chance to show what they can do.

“We’ve had a core group of guys at the club (for the past three season) who have created a really good culture.

“Everyone down here believes in the club and plays for the bloke next to him and that’s why we’ve been successful.”

Henley pipped Central for the minor premiership last season before the Roosters edged a dramatic grand final 30-18 in extra-time.

The Raiders again look the club most likely to challenge after the acquisitions of Sam Falanga from Woodville and Nicholas Kokoliris from NSW.

Eels coach Bobby Gilbertson has had a busy off-season as the club looks to build on last year’s preliminary final exit.

The Dry-Creek-based side has scoured the eastern states to bring in Jake Ovington, Ryan Irwan, Robbie Jeffries (NSW) and Damien Gordan (Queensland).

Former amateur footballers Corey Quinn and Kane Goldsmith headline South Adelaide’s recruits.

Bulldogs coach Ben Ramsden will target improvement on last year’s fourth-place finish.