What a turnaround it has been for the Yenda Blueheelers in NSW’s competitive Riverina district.
In 2021 Yenda struggled to gain momentum following the COVID pandemic and had won just two games in the Group 20 competition.
A year later there were signs of improvement, but the Blueheelers again missed the finals.
After returning to the semis in 2023, they broke their post-season drought against West Wyalong defeating the Mallee Men 26-20 in the Elimination final.
While they bowed out a week later going down to eventual premiers Leeton 42-26, there were signs that the James Dole-led squad was heading in the right direction.
With the club celebrating their centenary in 2024 many players recommitted to another campaign, while X-factor recruits joined the fold.
New players included former junior and damaging prop Tongia Fox (pictured above: Photo Liam Warren), another local junior and classy playmaker Isaiah Potts, along with North Queensland product and hard-working back rower Dee Nanai.
On Saturday, Yenda can cap off a huge turnaround and secure the Group 20 Minor Premiership with a win over the Griffith Waratahs at Griffith Ex-Servicemen’s Club.
With 11 wins to their name, including a historic Round 17 victory over Leeton where the Blueheelers defeated the Greens 12-6, Yenda is guaranteed a top-two finish and is set to be a major player in the post-season.
“It’s been awesome,” Dole told nswrl.com.au
“We were lucky enough to retain 95 per cent of our players from last year, and some handy add-ons have helped our cause, with locals coming back for our centenary.
“It’s a narrative we pushed at the beginning of the year, and everyone was keen, and hopefully, we can make it a special one.”
With the Blueheelers last Group 20 first grade trophy in 2009, Dole said a minor premiership would be good, but he had eyes on the grand prize of a premiership.
“A minor premiership would be nice, but it’s not at the forefront of our plans,” Dole said.
“… we want to focus on avoiding injuries, playing the best footy we can, and staying strong with good squad depth leading into finals.
“We have a challenging game ahead of us with Waratahs, so we need to stay competitive, not drop the ball and go into finals in red-hot form.”
Yenda has been a force on both sides of the ball this season, scoring 494 points in 14 games and conceding a competition-best 202 points.
“Defence is a thing I focused on a lot more in the pre-season this year compared to recent years,” Dole said.
“A lot of our fitness training was done with a defensive mindset, with three-man tackling and controlling the ruck speed being a big focus.”
Yenda (28 points) is competing with Darlington Point-Coleambally (28) for the minor premiership, while rounding out the top five are Griffith Waratahs (23), Griffith Black and Whites (23) and reigning premiers Leeton (22).
Round 18 closes out the Group 20 regular season on Saturday and Sunday.
Darlington Point-Coleambally are looking to keep their minor premiership hopes alive when hosting the Griffith Black and Whites at Darlington Point Sportsground on Saturday.
Also, on Saturday, the Waratahs take on the visiting Yenda Blueheelers at Griffith Ex-servicemen’s Club.
On Sunday, the Leeton Greens entertain the travelling West Wyalong Mallee Men at Leeton Showground.
Click here for the Group 20 ladder, draw, and results.
