Source: http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/roos-need-to-fire-in-grading-for-top-comp/2085166/#.UolW5V8PvzA.email
MAROOCHYDORE under-18s coach Steve Moody is confident his side will be welcomed in the state's new-look premier youth competition.
Fifteen teams have nominated for eight spots in the new premiership, which is yet to be named but will essentially replace the former South-East Queensland Division 1 Colts competition.
The teams for the competition will be selected after cut-throat grading games in March.
"I am confident of our chances without being cocky about it," Moody said.
"I'd be disappointed if we didn't get it."
After entering south-east Queensland's under-18 ranks in 2010, the Kangaroos have proved to be a force in the past two years, winning the competition in 2012 and finishing third last year.
"I think that over the last three years we've shown that we have got one of the better under-18 groups in the region," Moody said.
"We've got very strong juniors and they tend to flow through into our under-18s."
Moody knows results from recent years will count for nothing, however, when they take to the field for the cut-throat grading games.
"They (grading games) are the only means they're selecting from, so you can't go in there and say we won the premiership last year and expect to get a leg-up on that basis," he said.
"It will be done purely and simply on the results of those games, so it really just depends on the side we can put on the paddock. We'll have about 40 to 45 boys that will try out for this side and I'd like to think out of that we'll find 30 that will make the final cut."
Caloundra will also vie for a spot in the competition, after featuring in South-East Queensland Under-18 Division 2 last year.
"They will be very competitive as well," Moody said.
"They're probably coming from a bit further back than we are, but they've got a very good bunch of boys who I know of and that will hopefully be competitive enough.
"I'd love to think we'd have two sides in it from our region."
Maroochydore's under-18 side trains on Thursday evenings at the Maroochydore Multi-Sport Complex.
Maroochydore Roos Under 18's train each Thursday at Fisherman's Rd from 5.30pm and then every Tuesday and Thursday from December 9 when th3ey will joing the Senior group.
Last Modified on 18/11/2013 13:45