CDRL: Atherton coach says young Roosters are plenty to crow about

Atherton Roosters coach Graham Clark Sr says a high player turnover has opened the door for his young stars to step up and make their mark on the Cairns and District Rugby League.

Atherton Roosters coach Graham Clark Sr says a high player turnover has opened the door for his young stars to step up and make their mark on the Cairns and District Rugby League.

The Roosters side that finished one win short of a grand final appearance in 2019 was gutted in the COVID-affected season, with a number of players either departing or yet to commit to the 2021 season, including Luke La Rosa, Tyson Burchell, Lachlan Payne and Mae Mani.

Clark Sr said the new CDRL season would be an opportunity for the club’s youth brigade to take their game to the next level, and challenged Atherton’s youngsters to demand game time with their attitude and their performance on the training field and in upcoming trial games, the first of which will be played against traditional rivals Mareeba this Saturday night.

“It is a very new-look side and it’s a very young side,” he said.

CDRL Finals – Week 1. Elimination final between Brothers and Atherton at Barlow Park. Atherton's Keifhar Rosas. PICTURE: STEWART MCLEAN

“A lot of blokes during COVID have done other things with their life.

“We’ve lost some key personnel but I’ve got some really good kids coming through.”

Clark Sr said he was expecting rising outside back and Roosters’ Rookie of the Year in 2019 Keifhar Rosas to find his feet in first-grade this season.

“Keifhar came off the bench for a few games towards the end of 2019 and was due to play A-grade last year but obviously didn’t get the chance,” he said.

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“I’m really looking forward to seeing how he goes. He’s a bigger body, I just need him to get his head on and get involved and do some tough carries.

“He’s got plenty of potential, he’s just got to work really hard and put it to good use.”

Clark Sr believed Kyle Wyatt, the club’s Rising Star in 2019, was also in for a big year.

“He’s not the biggest centre but he really applies himself well in defence,” he said.

Ben Whybird was named 2019 Atherton Roosters under-18s best forward. He is pictured with coach Sam Harreman. David Anthony photo

Kyle Wyatt receives the 2019 Atherton Roosters Rising Star award from sponsor Karen West of Atherton Smash Repairs. David Anthony photo

“His reads are really good but also his ability to draw and pass under pressure.”

The coach said there was a stack of 17, 18 and 19-year-olds coming through at the club.

“In the forwards, Ben Whybird has impressed me with his tackle technique and the way he listens and applies himself, and he’s got good feet,” he said.

“He’s only a kid but with someone like a Graham (Clark Jr) mentoring him a little bit, he’ll go good.

Keyarn Porter tackles Clayton Dalget during the EDJRL Under 16s grand final. 2018 (Lea Coghlan)

“Keyarn Porter’s another, and he’s a bit of an unknown to me. He’s only 17 but he’s a Malanda boy coming through.”

Clark Sr said the biggest goal for his side this season was to be competitive.

“With the player turnover we’ve got, I’d be happy every year if we can take a fully local side and compete,” he said.

“Everybody at the club either lives in or around that Tablelands region — there’s no one from outside.

“If we can compete every year with our own kids, that would be the goal.”

A-GRADE CDRL TRIALS

Saturday, March 6

3pm: Townsville Brothers (TDRL) v Cairns Brothers at Jack Manski Oval

5pm: Norths (TDRL) v Tully at Peggy Banfield Park

5pm: Centrals (TDRL) v Ivanhoes at Townsville Sports Reserve

6pm: Mareeba v Atherton at Davies Park

Originally published as CDRL: Atherton coach says young Roosters are plenty to crow about