The Armidale Rams showed promising signs in a pre-season trial on Saturday against Boggabri which pleased returning coach Luke Kirkby.
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The Rams played the Roos and turned a half-time deficit into a 32-20 win.
The Rams' 2021 self-imposed media ban has been lifted for the coming season and Kirkby is eager to get the word out that the side is shaping up for a bigger and better 2022.
"I am getting a lot of good numbers and it is going to give me plenty of headaches choosing a side but it is a good headache to have," he said.
"Everybody is training, everybody is learning, everybody is getting around each other and loving each other.
"It is refreshing compared to the last time I was coaching."
Kirkby previously mentored the Rams in 2019 and 2020 and faced a number and attitude struggle which resulted in win-less seasons.
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Saturday's pre-season fixture was looking ominous early but a spray by the coach kicked them into gear in the second stanza.
"I blew up at half-time," Kirkby said.
"One of the boys dropped the ball right before half-time, turned his back and walked away.
"One of their guys picked it up and ran 20 metres and that was the last straw.
"I was into them at half-time and they came into the second-half all fired up.
"It was a good defensive effort in the second-half.
"The second-half display was the best I have seen from the rams since I have been here."
After leaking three tries in the opening half, the Rams conceded one in the second.
"Our defence on the line was pretty solid," Kirkby said.
"It was a good hit out.
"A couple of boys played themselves into positions into the starting line-up."
The Group 19 senior rugby league season is scheduled to start on April 30 but a draw is yet to be released.
"It has been a long pre-season for the boys and everybody is itching to get in and get going," Kirkby said.
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