Positions up for grabs as new players shine in trial

EVERY position is still up for grabs. That was the reaction from the Ghosts' captain-coach following the 34-22 trial win over Sawtell.

Grafton Ghosts Josh Donohue takes some stopping in the trial match against Sawtell. The Ghosts won 34-22. Photo Debrah Novak / The Daily Examiner. Picture: Debrah Novak

EVERY position is still up for grabs.

That was the reaction from Grafton Ghosts captain-coach Ryan Farrell following the 34-22 trial win over Sawtell Panthers at McGuren Park on Saturday.

Farrell was delighted with what he saw and said number of new players on the roster made his job even harder.

"There's a lot of new faces this year and we're not really used to that," Farrell said.

"It's going to take some time for everything to come together but it's a good squad which makes it difficult to pick players.

"Nothing is set in concrete at this stage in terms of positions. There's good competition going on.

"I was really happy. We improved a lot from the first trial against Woolgoolga."

The match was the second of three trials against Group 2 opposition for the Ghosts as the former NRRRL club focuses its attention to the south.

On March 30 they have a final hit out against Orara Valley Axemen at McGuren Park ahead of the season opener at Macksville on April 13.

"From the first two trials I've been really impressed," Farrell said.

"Sawtell brought up a pretty good side and have a few more to come in and Woolgoolga were also a good team. For trials the standard has been quite high. I think it's going to be a great comp."

Meanwhile Lower Clarence Magpies went down 56-6 in its trial with Casino Cougars.

Coach Nathan Pettit said there were positives to be drawn from the match.

"It went okay," Pettit said.

"Reserve grade were short in numbers but we had enough for first grade and once cricket season is finished and we get everyone on deck we'll have really good numbers.

"Casino will be a real team this year. A quick, mobile front row.

"We played well in patches. But back to back tries hurt us. The same thing happened at the end of our last trial against Northern."

In that game two late tries saw Northern pull away to a 42-22 scoreline.

Originally published as Positions up for grabs as new players shine in trial