Dan Withers throws up a challenge

Dan Withers.

Chris Ison

DEVELOPMENT is the driving force behind Rockhampton touch footballer Dan Withers' rejuvenation in the sport.

Before last season, Withers was a fixture in the all-conquering Buccaneers Premier League men's side but felt his side needed some competition.

With a mixture of experienced players and juniors coming through the grades, Withers formed the Assassins side and entered them into A grade.

Such was the influence the Australian men's touch player had on the team, they ended up breaking Buccaneers' 12-year premiership streak, defeating Buccaneers Red in the grand final 7-3.

More than that, the chance to be challenged and develop younger players was the biggest appeal for Withers.

“I love it. I think that's what keeps me going around,” Withers said.

“There was a time there where I felt we needed a challenge and we weren't going to get it unless someone did something different.”

However, this season Withers returned to Buccaneers and after two rounds of the competition, it looks like they are well on their way to adding another premiership to their tally.

They have disposed of the Black Nighters and All Nighters easily and face the Eagles in tonight's round three fixture.

The Eagles come off the back of a draw with All Nighters and will be up against it when they face Buccaneers.

Their main competition will come from Bulldogs and last year's premiers, Assassins.

While they will be without Withers this season, Assassins will be a real threat.

“They'll go all right,” Withers said.

“They've got a mixture of older and younger players that are really talented.”

This season Withers is hoping to continue the form that has earned him selection in the Australian men's teams for the past three years and has set his sights on selection in the side to contest the 2011 World Cup in Scotland next year.

His first priority is the upcoming Australian team camp at Kawana in preparation for next year's World Cup.

The camp coincides with the State under-18 titles and the Australian team will get the opportunity to play against some of the up and coming stars of the sport.

Withers expects a lot from the young sides.

“Over the coming years, there's going to be some really good talent running around in the Rocky competition,” Withers said.

Withers' hard work at improving touch football in Rockhampton seems to have paid off.

In mid-July Withers coached the Rockhampton Blazers under-16 boys' team to a convincing win over Ipswich in the grand final of the state championships.

“It was the most dominant display I've seem from a junior side,” Withers said.

They made easy work of all opposition teams in the round games and led by James Barts, and Brothers Cormack and Lachlan Hoch, it was the Blazers' most successful Junior State Cup results to date.

Despite their young age, a handful of these players are turning out in the Premier League competition and Withers has been impressed with what they are producing.