Ella Keen To Take Greens To New Level
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday April 14, 2004
The searing pain of last year's grand final defeat has dulled but the ache remains for Randwick as another season of Sydney club rugby kicks off this weekend.
With favourite son Glen Ella on board this year as club coach, the Galloping Greens have vowed to take their game to another level in search of the title that once appeared heavily mortgaged in their name.
``The old saying is if Randwick is playing well, Australia is playing well and we want to make that true certainly," Ella said. ``We definitely want to raise our play another level and, if we do that, other clubs will as well."
First-grade coach Michael Cheika , combining again this year with former teammate David Knox , welcomed Ella's appointment and agreed the goal for Randwick was to improve across the board and set a new standard for club competition.
``They keep saying we need another level of rugby but club rugby is improving all the time," he said. ``Look at our side and the team we're playing this weekend, Manly . . . there's a lot of talent out there on the park and there's a good brand of football being played."
In a revamped format that reduced the overall season to 18 matches rather than last year's 22, the Tooheys New Cup and Shute Shield will now run concurrently with the cup finals extending after the shield's conclusion on September 11.
Randwick face Manly at Coogee Oval this weekend and appear strongly poised for another season with pace out wide and a strong forward pack.
Another side that must lift a level is defending champions Eastwood, who have lost a large number of their first-grade side for varying reasons.
With retirement, overseas contracts and offers from other clubs removing up to seven regular first graders and a number of reserves, coach Chris Hickey must now ask his younger line-up to step up to the mark.
Eastwood face Sydney University this weekend at TG Millner field and, with University posting strong trial form and awaiting the possible return of a number of Super 12 squad members, questions will be asked of the home side's new-look line-up.
Norths take on Warringah with each side fielding a number of new faces while Parramatta host Easts. Southern Districts are home to Penrith and Gordon and West Harbour clash at Chatswood Oval.
Weekend teams Page 33
© 2004 Sydney Morning Herald