REVEALED: Cowboys’ focus ahead of gruelling season
2020 TRL fixture offers mixed draw for Warwick players.
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RUGBY LEAGUE: Cowboys fever swept through Warwick during 2019, and the eager anticipation for the new season is quickly closing.
With the 2020 season just three months from kick-off, Cowboys head coach Matt Grew said the round one game was the benchmark for the season.
"It's always good to get the first round game at home," Grew said.
"Away games are always tougher at the start of the season, and playing Oakey at home on the Sunday will give us a chance to start the season off strong."
The thrilling grand final against Toowoomba Valleys sets up a gripping grand final rematch three rounds into the year.
The Sunday afternoon game at Father Ranger Oval is one Gew is eagerly anticipating.
"We'll definitely be keen to get to that game," he said.
"I suppose it will be an opportunity to measure ourselves against the current premiers and see where we are standing for the year."
A calendar highlight for Cowboys faithfuls remains the cross-town rivalry with the Wattle Warriors.
Playing for the Basil Nolan Memorial Shield in round seven, the game holds great significance on and off the field.
"It has to be one of the biggest games of the year because of the local rivalry," he said.
"This will be our second time playing for the Basil Nolan Memorial Shield, which we won in its inaugural season last year.
"Basil was a good friend of mine, so it is an important game not only for the club but also one that I want the team to do well in."
With preseaon training underway, the club have already recorded strong numbers for the new year.
"We've had about 30 guys turning up to each of the sessions, and we've never had numbers like that before at this time of the year," he said.
"We're hoping that in the new year we'll be able to get a few more players at training ahead of the trail games and round one."
Cowboys action kicks off on March 7 against the Wattles Warriors in Clifton for the annual Barret Shield.
Cowboys 2020 home games:
Rd. 1 on Sunday vs. Oakey
Rd 3 on Sunday vs. Valleys
Rd 5 on Sunday vs. Souths
Rd 7 on Saturday vs. Wattles
Rd 10 on Sunday vs. Pittsworth
Rd 13 on Saturday vs. Highfields
Rd 14 on Saturdya vs. Pittsworth
Rd 16 on Saturday vs. Dalby
Rd 18 on Sunday vs. Brothers
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