KURRI KURRI president Mick Alchin feels Rebels representative coach Aaron Watts will "bring a lot of professionalism" to the Bulldogs when he takes on the top job in 2022.
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Watts was officially appointed on Friday with Alchin saying he was "very pleased to have him on board" at the Newcastle Rugby League club for next season.
"I think it was the kind of bloke he is, what he's achieved and the fact he's a country boy," Alchin told the Newcastle Herald.
"I think he'll bring a lot of professionalism to the club and help change the culture a bit at Kurri."
Watts, who has won Group 21 titles with Scone as a player and coach, enjoyed an unbeaten run with the Newcastle squad in 2021.
It was there he linked up with some of Kurri's players, including Rebels skipper Mitch Cullen who is currently captain-coach at the Bulldogs but recently indicated he wouldn't continue in the role next year.
On the field and Kurri return after a weekend off and host Lakes on Saturday with both sides, sitting equal eighth on nine points, now out of contention to make the top-five semis.
Cullen (knee) and Ben Wyborn (finger) were in doubt for the Bulldogs, who have lost their last three outings, while Reid Alchin remains sidelined with suspension.
Lakes, who have only played once since COVID-19 regulations were implemented last month, were expected to line-up relatively unchanged.
Elsewhere in round 16 and top-four battles will take place in the Coalfields on Saturday.
Competition leaders Maitland are at home to second-placed Central with a win enough for the Pickers to wrap up the minor premiership while Macquarie are away to Cessnock.
Wyong v Souths and Wests v The Entrance were both cancelled and declared COVID draws.
Meanwhile, a new Western Premiership structure was announced by NSW Rugby League on Friday. Next year it will impact groups 10 and 11, which includes Bathurst, Dubbo, Mudgee, Forbes and Nyngan. The eventual champions will vie for the President's Cup against winners from Newcastle, Wollongong and Sydney.
And the NSW Women's Premiership grand final, originally scheduled for this weekend between top-ranked Central Coast Roosters and Mounties, may still go ahead at a later date pending the state's coronavirus restrictions and NRLW commitments.
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Josh Callinan
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
