Ballina coach confident Seagulls can bounce back in NRRRL

INJURIES to key players have seen defending premiers Ballina struggle to close out games this season, but coach Greg Barnes is confident his team can find another gear in the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League competition.

The Seagulls lost just two games last season and went on to claim the premiership on home soil at Kingsford Smith Park.

It was a memorable campaign for the club, which has now won seven titles since 2013.

This year, the team has not fielded the same halves pairing in consecutive games due to injuries to key playmakers.

Barnes, who has guided Ballina to three premierships, believes his side is close to turning things around.

The Seagulls are currently sixth on the ladder, having won just two of their first five games in a rain-disrupted start to the year that postponed matches and limited time on the training paddock.

“We just haven’t been able to close games out, which is what we’re working on for the rest of the year,” Barnes said.

“We’re scoring the same amount of tries, but just can’t ice the key moments.

“I still think we’ll be hard to beat when we put it all together.

“We’ve had eight changes from last year’s team — we can’t use that as an excuse though, it was the same the year before.

“I always thought after a few injuries and looking at the draw we would be right to go by about now.”

Former NRL player Tyrone Roberts is now back on deck at five-eighth, while young lock Charlie Strong is making a name for himself in the forwards. Centre Noah Waldock and winger Kai Saric have also impressed.

“Charlie, Kai and Noah have all come out of our under-18s,” Barnes said.

“We’ve got a couple of other guys that are only in their second or third year of first grade.

“I’m really happy with how Tyrone has played and I think we’ll be alright once those combinations start to click.

“The minor premiership is probably out of range, but we’ll still be aiming for a top three finish.”

The Seagulls’ next home game is against Lower Clarence on Sunday, June 15.

The grand final rematch will see them travel to face the Bilambil Jets on June 29.