Woolford unsure of future as ‘disappointing’ season ends

The Cherrypickers won three out of four to end their 2018 Group 9 campaign, a strong finish to the year after winning one game in the opening 12 rounds.

Woolford was disappointed with the start the season after trialing well at West Wyalong and at home.

“It’s disappointing. We probably should have done better with the side we had on paper,” he said.

“We showed good trial form but when the season came around things just didn’t go our way.

“Credit to all the boys, we didn’t throw the towel in we kept coming up with different things and we were able to win three out of four to end the year and we were right in it on Sunday until Junee ran away with it.”

More than 12 players debuted in first grade and more than 30 put the boots on making it difficult for combinations to work for the Pickers, Woolford said.

However, he identified a numbers of players who stood out in 2018 including front-rowers Kyle Richens, Aaron Slater and Saul Lealaitafea.

He also said Kye Tiedemann and Numiasasulu Tema had big seasons once they found their rhythm.

As for Woolford, he said his options are open in 2019 having not linked with a club for the future.

He did say he’d like to focus on playing rather than having the responsibility of both coaching and captaining a side.

“I could be on the move but I might not be,” he said.

“I feel like I have a lot to offer to any club. I have the experience and the runs on the board. It might be good to get away from the coaching and us focus on playing.”

Sunday’s win for Junee sewed up fourth spot on the ladder and kept their season alive.

Young fired early to lead 8-0 and took a 14-10 lead into the break, but with it all to play for the Diesels responded to win 40-14.

Coach Jim Vatubuli was thrilled with how they toughed it at.

“We live to fight another day,” Vatubuli said.

“It was going to be a big ask for the boys to come out in the second half but they stepped up.

“We defended well in the second half too.”