As the Cessnock Goannas are heavily into their pre-season training for 2016, the club is pleased to announce the return of Team of the Century member Chris Pyne to the ranks.
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Pyne, who turned 32 yesterday, had last season out of the game to pursue his interest in body building, but was still a regular spectator at home games.
The former NSW Country representative is excited to be able to come back to the club, especially with so many promising youngsters coming through the ranks.
He said the club now reminds him a lot of when he entered grade football in 2003 – coincidentally the present coach Dan Smailes was also the coach back then and it happens to be the last time the Goannas won the competition.
Pyne has a couple of personal goals he hopes to reach as well – he is within range of the great Lester Batey’s first grade try-scoring tally and he would get great satisfaction if he could assist some of the younger players in the club develop to help Cessnock to stay one of the top clubs in the competition.
The Goannas will play their first trial on Saturday, March 12 at Berkeley Vale; but the footy returns to Cessnock Sportsground on Saturday, February 20 when the Newcastle Rebels will play Western Division in a trial in three games – under-16s, 18s and first grade, with the opening game kicking off at 2pm.