Smith notes rising talent | Rockhampton Sport | Local Sports in Rockhampton

Berserker was not at its strongest, the McLeod Park pitch was heavy and yet Webbers Retravision Cougars coach Brad Smith could not have been much happier with Thursday night’s trial match.

Already there are signs that the 2010 Cougars will be a faster and more physically challenging outfit than in previous years.

“I’m real pleased, exceptionally happy,” Smith admitted.

Trial games are always tough to assess as players are tried in positions they are not accustomed and reeled on-and-off the park to give everybody game time, but Thursday’s was even tougher to judge as the pitch was very heavy with some surface water.

Nevertheless, there were signs that the core of players from Britain will add to the quality of the Hyundai QSL team and add steel to its make-up. It also had the effect of lifting the local boys.

At the start of the 2009 season critics were asking why Jesse Thompson was in Cougars colours, but by the end of the program he had made himself a member of the starting eleven and was a vastly improved footballer.

Now he has another challenge with the influx of quality players, but Thompson has shown the determination to match up with the best.

While conditions did not suit Justin McMullen’s style of game, he showed the level of skills that will keep him in the mix and also scored a couple of goals.

Gladstone’s Matt Smillie was another who could go away happy with his contribution in the middle and Michael Cay not only scored two, but set up McMullen with a great diagonal pass.

In fact local boys scored all the goals in the 6-0 win with defender Joe Burke rounding the scoring off with a screamer.

Even though the Cougars kept a clean sheet, Smith acknowledges defence could be his problem area.

“My only concern is we are a bit light on defenders,” he said.

“We played Eduardo (midfielder) at right back and his positioning was very good.”

The arrival of Anthony Hartnell is a bonus as he only made a late decision to travel here with Jamie Morris from Wales.

“He’s got the skills and he’s left-footed too,” Smith beamed.

Both Ben McMaster and Ben Radstaak played well as centre backs giving the Cougars a few options to work with.

A slight concern is an injury to Dai Thomas as it is the recurrence of a strain he suffered just after his arrival at the Cougars less than a month ago.

The Cougars hope to play Berserker again on Thursday at Elizabeth Park.