Former Tumbarumba player Robbie Byatt will play his first game with Queanbeyan tonight.
WEST WYALONG KNOCKOUT
DECLARING Queanbeyan "are in it to win it", coach Aaron Gorrell is tipping new recruits Robbie Byatt and Josh Atkinson to be key players in Roos' assault on the West Wyalong Knockout.
- DRAW: West Wyalong Knockout
Stylish Super League import Atkinson and Group Nine cult hero Byatt are both highly regarded centres who will play their first game for the club tonight against West Wyalong.
Gorrell was yesterday full of praise for his stellar recruits and excited at the prospect of seeing the damaging ball players in action for Roos.
"Robbie is fitting in really well and has been training well," Gorrell said.
"He has everything you want in a footballer: a good attitude and a really good football brain.
"He can easily pick a moment when he should have a crack himself.
"Josh is also going really well.
"He came to us from Castleford.
"It is exciting to see them both in the centres for us; it will be good to see them play tomorrow (tonight) night."
Despite facing a challenging opening round clash with last year's knockout grand finalists, Gorrell believes the club has the depth to see tomorrow's finals series.
Even the absence of a number of the club's first-graders is failing to curb Gorrell's confidence in his squad's chances of ending the home team's title hopes.
"We go into every game to win it and we aren't just there to make up numbers," he said.
"We have a few blokes out and a few recruits still on the way, but the squad we will have there will still be strong.
"This is a good opportunity for our young blokes and new blokes to come out and gauge where they are and if they will play first grade this year.
"They will want to use this to try and cement a spot, so they will be playing pretty hard."
One player who will be out to make a big impression at the knockout is ex-Tumut player Jarod Pearce, who followed his star brother Adam to the Canberra Raiders Cup team.
Former Group Nine representative Adam was voted the club's best and fairest award winner in his first season with Roos last year.
Gorrell, who underwent his third knee reconstruction in August last year, has revealed he will not play in tonight's trial.
"Time wise I am right to play but I think I am better off sitting it out and waiting for round one," Gorrell said.
WHAT'S ON AT THE WEEKEND
TONIGHT
West Wyalong Knockout
(Ron Crowe Oval 6.30pm)
Barellan Masters Games
Temora dogs
(First race 7.30pm)
TOMORROW
West Wyalong Knockout (Ron Crowe Oval 5pm)
Narrandera Rodeo (Rodeo arena 6.30pm $20)
Balranald races (First race 1.05pm)
Junee trots (First race 7.15pm)
Australian Powerboat GP (Lake Albert 9am)
Barellan Masters Games
SUNDAY
Australian Powerboat GP (Lake Albert 9am)
O'Farrell Cup (Wagga Cricket Ground 10.30am)
Barellan Masters Games