1
I have to admit I haven't taken much interest in the local rugby scene this year. There have been some changes in my life, and other priorities have arisen. However this backward stepping appears to be common among older former players and supporters I have encountered.
The fact that there is no coverage of local rugby on this site, and little to speak of on the RugbyWA site, doesn't help either.
I did however go down to my local club, Palmyra, a couple of Thursday nights ago to see what was going on, and heard that there were a few pre-season games about to take place but it seemed to me there was little enthusiasm or excitement over it compared to previous years.
There was disturbing news about several clubs, particularly ARKS, Coastal Cavaliers, Southern Lions and Curtin not having the numbers this year, and the perennial complaints about industrial scale poaching by Nedlands, Cottesloe and Associates. I heard very little if anything about how Kalamunda, Wests or Perth were travelling, but the general view was that Perth and Kala were struggling with depth as well.
Palmyra seemed to have retained much of there first and second grade contingent from last season, and from what little I saw the fitness level appeared quite high for this time of the year. I didn't notice many new faces however, which is worrying. Their club rooms have had a major upgrade in the off season.
It would be helpful in keeping up interests if those still involved in the local rugby scene could put up reports or comments of their observations, results of inter club matches, and player movements.