Joeys’ first XV co-coach Tim Andersen is hoping depth will help his team rise to the top of the GPS premiership in 2022.

Following last year’s Covid cancelled season, Joeys have trained with a bigger squad than usual throughout the trial period, to allow the coaches to take a look at as many players as possible ahead of round one on June 18.

“It’s been a fairly disjointed preseason again for everyone I think. There was Covid initially, then all the bad weather then this flu that has knocked a lot of people around,” the coach told Rugby News.

“We had a camp up at Tamworth and we took 55 boys up there and it was a really productive week. Because of all the disruptions, it’s allowed us to get a good look at a lot of different players through the trial period, so that’s been a real positive.

“It’s probably going to be one of those years where depth is really important and I think we’re well prepared for that.”

Joeys have defeated Kings, Knox, Scots and Riverview during the trial period and Andersen said  he’s been pleased with the way his side is tracking.

“Like usual, we’ve had a big focus on our set piece and on our defence. We’ve also made sure the boys are nice and fit so that we can play an up tempo, fast style.

“We want to be as clinical as possible and like in previous years, be the hardest working team in the competition.”

The coach said he didn’t think any GPS side has stood out more than their rivals during the trial period and said he’s expecting a tight competition where any team can win on their day.

“We were a little up and down through the trials but I think we’ve been a lot more consistent in recent weeks. It’s been a challenge with all the illness and injuries but I think we’ve been tracking in the right direction.

“The comp is going to be very even. Through the trials, we saw different teams winning every week and I think that means it’s going to perhaps be one of the more even comps we’ve seen for a while.

“That just means that it’s even more important to turn up every Saturday and perform well.”

Joeys open their 2022 GPS campaign against Shore on June 18, before representative rugby is played during the July school holidays.

“I think all of our boys will be putting their hands up for the rep stuff but as we tell them, the best thing they can do is to perform well for the school each week and if they can do that, then the rep stuff usually looks after itself.”