Selectors of the Group 19 league tag team were so impressed with the talent on display in Wednesday's possibles and probables trial match they "could have picked two sides and both would be very competitive."
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Group 19 are the reigning Greater Northern league tag champions and last week named 42 players who they thought had potential to defend the title.
The women took to the field in Glen Innes on Wednesday evening for the trial and coach Paul Martin applauded the level of league tag played.
"I thought the standard of the trial was very good. I thought it was exceptional," he said.
"The standard from last year to this year's trial was a lot better quality.
"Last year was good but this one was a step up."
Sixteen players were chosen from seven of the 13 Group 19 clubs.
"There were a few disappointed ones but you are always going to get that," Martin said.
"It was hard to leave some out but that was what we were hoping for, it was a nice headache to have."
Martin coached last year's Group 19 team to success and believes this year's side has the power to back-to-back.
"I would like to think so I will probably think Tamworth will be a lot stronger this year than they were last year," he said.
"We can only try our best."
The Greater Northern championships will be hosted in Tamworth on Friday, July 5. The Group 19 team will gather for three training sessions in preparation for the event.
Squad:
Moree Boars-Aleah Peckham, Deborah McGrady
Uralla Tigers- Sophie Barraclough, Alyce Walsh, Lauren Acton, Amy Barraclough, Vicki Youman
Armidale Rams- Hayley Ford, Kate McCulloch, Tanieka Landsborough.
Glen Innes Magpies- Sarah Woolfe, Sarah Byrne.
Moree Boomerangs- Kiah Picker
Bundarra Bears- Natalie Hammond, Alicia Bussell
Tingha Tigers- Simone Thompson
