A string of player unavailabilities due to sickness, injury, work commitments, suspension and a resulting disrupted preparation have not undermined new Bundaberg Bears coach Warren Hess’ confidence going into the time honoured 47th Battalion Memorial Trophy Men’s Carnival in Kingaroy this weekend.
Hess, whose elder son Coen is a North Queensland Cowboys star, was one of the Bears’ best as a player over six years in the 1990’s but he regrets that he never got to win the Battalion silverware after missing Bundaberg’s only Trophy triumph during his time due to having to withdraw with a broken hand.
He would love to win it as a coach, and he is proud that his 20-year-old younger son Eden will make his Bears’ debut at halfback, while his cousin Matthew Hess’ 18-year-old son Dawson will also wear the maroon of Bundy for the first time at senior level, after being called up on to the interchange bench.
“I’m proud for Eden for being chosen in the side, and Dawson is the right fit for a role on the bench – he has been playing well for Brothers in First Grade and he has also played for Wide Bay in the Mel Meninga Cup for the past few years,” Hess said.
Despite losing some of their big guns, 31-year-old powerhouse lock Reece Maughan, who has been in vintage form for his club Waves Tigers in their domination of the Bundaberg Premiership this season, will lead the side into battle, and in a great boost to the side, his younger brother Cody, a former NQ Cowboys NYL star, who has made a late start to this season due to work commitments, will also play in a potent centres pairing with Wests Panthers try machine Bruce Ikamanu.
“Reece was voted as captain and it is another very worthy honour for him with his commitment to league, his years playing and his role in clubland, and I’m quietly confident with a side which has got a good blend of youth and experience,” Hess said.
The team also includes Waves front rower Flynn Purkis, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Wednesday, 20-year-olds Wests second rower Zander Kerr and Kyle Knight (Wallaroos), and 18-year-olds Hervey Bay second rower Jake Doyle and electrifying Tigers half Zeke Monckton, who will start on the bench.
Bundaberg will play Burnett Brahmans in their first match at 12.30pm and while Hess knows that traditional heavyweights Rockhampton and Toowoomba are probably the teams to beat, he believes they could be the dark horses.
“Our first full run together on Wednesday was very impressive – we have had a lot of obstacles but with Reece’s steady head and (hooker) Bailey Robertson marshalling the defence – that is his bread and better – and plenty of potency in attack, we just might surprise,” he said.
“And if we have a good show, Reece and Zander and others could be a chance to crack the rep side.”
