Highly-respected coach Aaron Watts doesn’t mind a challenge.

And, he’s looking forward to the one in front of him at the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs in the Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League (Real NRL) Denton Engineering Cup in 2022.

After stints at Parkes and Tumbarumba, as well as guiding the Hunter Valley Group 21 and Northern Division rep teams along with the NSW Country under-18s, he secured back-to-back senior titles with the Scone Thoroughbreds.

In 2018, the club claimed all four grades, culminating in an upset victory over rivals Aberdeen Tigers 10-6 at McKinnon Oval.

The Thoroughbreds then defended their crown 12 months later, crushing the same opponents 40-6, with well-known Real NRL figures Adam Clydsdale and current Western Suburbs mentor Todd Lowrie leading the way.

In 2021, Watts took on the mentoring role of the Newcastle Rebels, who emphatically dismantled both Illawarra and Canberra in the inaugural Tri Series.

Now, he’s found a new home in the Bulldogs kennel.

“I’ve had a bit of an association with Kurri Kurri over a couple of years,” he said.

“And, then with Mitch Cullen through the rep stuff last season.

“I got on really well with him.

“So, I had a few chats with some blokes and one thing led to another – here I am.”

Watts admitted the fact Cullen, the Bulldogs’ captain-coach in 2021, was sticking around this year played a big role in his decision, too.

“It was extremely important to have Mitch on board, to be honest with you,” he said.

“I guess it ended up being a joint call.

“A ‘I coach, Mitch stays’ sort of thing.

“So, it’s worked out well for both of us.”

Watts said he was also willing to test himself, at an esteemed organisation such as the Bulldogs, in the Real NRL.

“I haven’t come in with too many pre-conceived ideas at this stage other than to be competitive,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.

“It’s a pretty open book so far.

“Probably everyone in the region knows that the supporters and the town of Kurri Kurri are really great – and rally behind the club.

“We want to do them proud and make sure we’re fit and ready to go.

“So, when people come down to watch us play, they know we’re putting in an effort every week.

“Things will pan out from there.”

Injuries, a lack of depth and playing numbers affected the Bulldogs at various stages in 2021, however they were far from disgraced on the playing paddock.

But, Watts believes the best is yet to come.

“We’ve lost a couple of guys from last year, however we’ve also gained a hell of a lot,” he said.

“In some ways, we’re going through a bit of a transition period.

“We’ll get some new blokes from out of the area and, hopefully, they’ll show what they’ve got for us.

“A few guys I’ve coached from the NSW Country under-18s are here as well.

“So, we’ll field a good mix of youth and experience when it all kicks off.

“We definitely won’t be an old side, which Kurri Kurri has probably been the past couple of seasons.

“There’ll be some fresh legs out there.

“I’m keen to see the young blokes having a crack.

“There is plenty of talent in the club.

“Training-wise, Harry Duggan, Ethan Fowler and Tommy Biddle have impressed me.

“Also, of the local blokes – I’m eager to watch the development of Ethan Niszczot and Brodie Linnane and where they can take their games to in 2022.

“It’s early days, so we haven’t set any goals.

“Firstly, we need to be fit – and we will be.

“We’ll also enjoy each other’s company.

“And, I’m confident everything will progress from there.”

Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League

Kurri Kurri Bulldogs 2022 draw

• Round one (Saturday 26 March): v Lakes United Seagulls (Kurri Kurri Sports Ground)
• Round two (Saturday 2 April): v Macquarie Scorpions (Kurri Kurri Sports Ground)
• Round three (Sunday 10 April): v Western Suburbs Rosellas (Harker Oval)
• Round four (Saturday 16 April): v Cessnock Goannas (Baddeley Park, Cessnock Sports Ground)
• Round five (Saturday 23 April): v The Entrance Tigers (Kurri Kurri Sports Ground)
• Round six (Saturday 30 April): v South Newcastle Lions (Townson Oval)
• Round seven (Saturday 7 May): v Maitland Pickers (Kurri Kurri Sports Ground)
• Round eight (Sunday 22 May): v Central Newcastle Butcher Boys (St John Oval)
• Round nine (Saturday 28 May): v Wyong Roos (Kurri Kurri Sports Ground)
• Round 10 (Saturday 4 June): v Lakes United Seagulls (Cahill Oval)
• Round 11 (Saturday 11 June): v Macquarie Scorpions (Lyall Peacock Field)
• Round 12 (Saturday 19 June): v Western Suburbs Rosellas (Kurri Kurri Sports Ground)
• Round 13 (Saturday 25 June): v Cessnock Goannas (Kurri Kurri Sports Ground)
• Round 14 (Sunday 3 July): v The Entrance Tigers (EDSACC Oval North)
• Round 15 (Saturday 9 July): v South Newcastle Lions (Kurri Kurri Sports Ground)
• Round 16 (Saturday 16 July): v Maitland Pickers (Maitland No 1 Sportsground)
• Round 17 (Saturday 30 July): v Central Newcastle Butcher Boys (Kurri Kurri Sports Ground)
• Round 18 (Saturday 6 August): v Wyong Roos (Morry Breen Oval)

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