Magpies swoop on first game at new home

Lower Clarence captain-coach Dan Randall itches to get back on the field for today's first hit-out of 2017 in trial action against Tweed Coast Raiders.

NEW BRIGADE: Lower Clarence Magpies 2017 recruits Alex McMillan, captain-coach Dan Randall and bulldozing prop Jirra Breckenridge are steaming into today's first trial match. Picture: Matthew Elkerton

RUGBY LEAGUE: The towns at the mouth of the Clarence River cannot stop talking about the return of their beloved Magpies.

So much talk has been made of the side's return, captain-coach Dan Randall has heard enough.

"It is all the people will talk about,” he said.

"I can't walk from one end of the town to the other without being stopped five times for a chat. I don't want to talk about the trial game, I just want to play it.”

The experienced utility back has not tasted rugby league action since losing the Intrust Super Cup grand final last year as part of the Redcliffe Dolphins outfit and he is itching to get on the field at Yamba Oval today.

The Magpies will host new friends Tweed Coast Raiders after the northern club took the Lower under-18s under their wing last year, forming an iron-clad bond.

"I haven't played in the black and white for a long time, it is a different feeling with the coach's weight on the shoulders but it is still a game of footy, I can only do as much as what I can do,” Randall said.

It will give Randall his first look at a lot of the Magpies squad, including emerging young talent in Eathan Kapeen and Kyran Heron as well as newcomer Alex McMillan.

It will also be the first time fans get a look at bulldozing front-rower Jirra Breckenridge in the Magpies senior grades after playing most of his junior footy in the black and white.

"We will go into the game aiming to get a win but that is not the main thing,” Randall said.

"This is more about getting a feel for where the boys are at and how we play together.”

"We all know what the job is and how to get it done, we need to put it together in a match situation.”

The trial matches will kick off at Yamba League Field with reggies at 4pm, followed by first grade.

Originally published as Magpies swoop on first game at new home