By MARK CASHMAN

It’s fair enough to say that the Warringah that we saw for the most part of last season wasn’t the Warringah that we have been used to.

Generational change at a Shute Shield club that has played in the previous three grand finals is always hard to manage, it never seems to go smoothly and there was plenty of that at Rat Park last year.

Big dogs like Josh Holmes and Sam Ward joined the likes of Hamish Angus and Luke Holmes in retirement and the Rats were dropping games they used to win.

All through that there was the makings of a very good side and with a bit of selective recruitment they could turn things around promptly.

It was certainly a robust introduction to coaching the first grade side for Mike Ruthven, but he has weathered that storm and pulled together a side that has a fresh and youthful look about it.

The areas that needed attention have been seen to and the Generation Next feel that this side has is best illustrated by the appointment of Ben Marr as skipper.

Marr will play fullback on Saturday against Randwick at Rat Park and it’s fair enough to say that the more the ball is in his hands the better the chance the home side will have in this one.

Dean Blore, an off-season recruit from Penrith, will play flyhalf but it’s not letting the game plan out of the bag by saying that Marr will come up to first receiver more often as the match matures.

One of the more interesting aspects of this match will be watching the influence that Geoff Toovey has had on the group in his short time working with them.

I am sure he would have emphasised the importance of staying connected in defence and doing the things that don’t need that much talent with enthusiasm.

The Rats had the bye in Round One and Ruthven is just keen to get the car (a snappy looking Hyundai I am sure) out of the driveway and on the road.

“A bye in Round One is not an ideal but it is what it is,” Ruthven said.

“I would have preferred to have had Round One in the bank but it has given us the chance to work on a few things and get the details right.

“Our pre-season was really encouraging after the disruptions of COVID-19 last year.

“We didn’t achieve what we wanted to do last year but we have parked that and everyone at the club is really looking forward to the season ahead and what that will bring.

“We’ve got essentially a pretty young group with a sprinkling of experience and that I think is a very good thing and there is a good vibe around the club.

“That I suppose is reflected in the numbers we are getting at training at the moment but with that comes extra management

Randwick coach Ben McCormack as always is looking forward to heading down to Rat Park for this one – not that it has been a happy hunting ground for the Wicks of recent times.

The past two times they have headed to Narrabeen they got bullied and pulled apart by Northern Suburbs 46-17 and then had the playoff game against Gordon in hand before succumbing late 15-14.

Still it’s a brand new season and the personnel is quite different.

MCormack has very confidence in Ben Donaldson’s replacement for Saturday, Ben Starkey.

“Yeah no worries on that front, Ben is an accomplished footy player with first and second grade experience over a number of years at the club,” he said.

“He’s a steady and skilful hand who will help ‘Shorty’ (Mitch Short) direct the boys around.

“The Rats have named a really good side in my mind.

“The team ‘Rivo’ has come up with seems to be really well balanced with skills, aggression and strike power so we will need to be right on top of our game to match them.

“But if we get our set piece right and play in the right areas of the field we’ll give ourselves every opportunity. Should be a cracker.”

Warringah meet Randwick at 3:05pm on Saturday with the match broadcast live on Stan Sport.

IMAGE: RISING SUN PHOTOGRAPHY