Dolphins' new coach has high hopes

He's been thrust into the top job late in the piece, but Kawana Dolphins' new A-grade coach Andrew Hinson says he's ready for the challenge

RUGBY LEAGUE: Kawana Dolphins new coach Andrew Hinson. Picture: Patrick Woods

RUGBY LEAGUE: He's been thrust into the top job late in the piece, but Kawana Dolphins' new A-grade coach Andrew Hinson says he's ready for the challenge and has high hopes for the year ahead.

Former Penrith Panther and South Sydney Rabbitoh Hinson was announced as the new coach yesterday after former international Matt Adamson's departure from the club due to some off-field personal matters. With pre-season officially getting under way last week it was a late leadership shuffle for the Dolphins, with Mark (Spud) Murphy having to slot into Hinson's previous U18s role.

However, Hinson is certainly no stranger to the A-grade leadership, having been at the Dolphins helm from 2009-11, and has been quick to develop some big plans for the playing group.

"It's very exciting and I'm looking forward to it,” he said.

"The club is just at that tipping point at the moment where we need some stability and a bit of a cultural shake-up which I'm really keen to do.

"I'm a passionate Kawana bloke and I love the club and have been involved with the club for more than 10 years now. That's one of my major goals, to bring the passion back to the place.”

Creating a united front, particularly in training, across U18s, reserve and A-grade was also another big target for Hinson.

"Having everybody together from start to finish (is important),” he said.

"Those younger kids can terrorise those older guys on the training paddock and then if a big, old front rower gets his hands on a younger kid it gives them a shake-up. So, it keeps the young guys on their toes and it keeps the old guys interested.”

The Dolphins failed to make the finals last year, placing fifth on the eight-team ladder.

It was a disappointment Hinson was adamant on avoiding this time around.

"My main goal is to make sure that the club is successful all-round but I'm looking for A-grade to make the semis as an absolute minimum,” he said.

"If we can do that, it's a successful year and it's the old cliche of you never know what can happen when you make the semis.”

While admitting he was racing to complete the roster, Hinson was confident it would soon fall into place.

He had his sights fixed on securing former Kawana talent that had been in the Falcons system in recent years including the likes of Damian Forde-Hurrell, who was named the colts best forward last year.

"We're nearly there, I'm just looking for that last piece of the puzzle with a couple of high end guys I'm targeting,” he said.