Roos ready to bounce back

But watching the big day from the stands last season may have shocked the Roos out of complacency, Gorrell said.

“It was the first grand final we’d missed for five years,” he said.

“So last year was a bit of a slap in the face.

“I mean it could have been a good thing because we were cruising.”

The Roos have lost some players, but have also had a number of new players join the group, including three English Super League players, Daniel Maskill, Ben Shulver and Jack Miller.

Miller called Huddersfield home, playing for the Giants while Maskill and Shulver played for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

“(The Englishmen are) fitting in nicely,” Gorrell said.

“Jack’s a half back with a good kick and enthusiasm.

“Dan’s a hard working young block and Ben’s a rangy front rower.

“We’ve also picked up Justin Bell who played in group 16, he was a hooker for the (Canterbury Bankstown) Bulldogs reserves.”

Five-eighth player of the year Jordan Masey spent the offseason playing rugby union in the US and will no doubt be one to watch for the Roos in 2015, Gorrell said.

The Roos have reinforced the basics in their preseason and Gorrell said a recent trial match has shown some promising signs.

“It’s about getting the team together and getting on the same page,” Gorrell said.

“We’re also trying to get our defence right- if you have good defence your attack should come too.

“We had a trial match last week and it went a lot better than I was expecting.

“It showed a fair bit about what still needs improving and how we can put everything into place.”

Queanbeyan Roos play their season opener this Friday against West Belconnen, and Gorrell said he is hopeful the boys can bring home the two points.

“Round one is always going to be tough because we’re still trying to figure things out,” he said.

“But all things going well and if we can put everything into practice, and play the way we have been we should be very competitive.”